The Rebate Rule May Not Last, But It Changed The Pricing Debate

Trump Administration’s attempt to eliminate rebates in the US Medicare outpatient drug benefit program is the easiest and most certain item among the 11th hour pricing policy changes for the incoming Biden Administration to undo. But it still had a major impact on the dynamics of the drug pricing debate.

If only resolving the drug pricing debate were this simple • Source: Shutterstock

Of all the 11th hour attempts to finalize drug pricing policy changes by the outgoing Trump Administration, a final rule eliminating rebates in the US Medicare outpatient drug program (Part D) is both the easiest and most certain to be blocked by the new Biden Administration.

The rule is not popular with Democrats, who view it as essentially doing the drug industry’s bidding. That message was...

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