No More Rebates: HHS Proposed Rule Revises Anti-Kickback Safe Harbor

Proposed US rule would establish two new safe harbors against anti-kickback enforcement, one covering price reductions at the point of sale and the other protecting flat service fees paid by manufacturers to pharmacy benefit managers. But rebates to "PBMs to buy formulary position" in Medicare/Medicaid would lose protection.

Rebates_535538281_1200.jpg

The US HHS Office of Inspector General proposes to amend the current Anti-Kickback statute "safe harbors" for drug discounts in a way that would exclude rebates widely used by biopharma companies from protection – with the expected result of lower prices for prescription drugs.

The proposal  applies to rebates drug makers now provide voluntarily to Medicare Part D drug plans and Medicaid managed care plans

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Drug Pricing

Novartis Doubles Down On Push For Higher Drug Prices In Europe

 

CEO Vas Narasimhan urged European governments to spend more to support drug innovation during Novartis's first-quarter results call.

Abeona Sets $3.1m Price For Rare Skin Disorder Gene Therapy

 
• By 

Abeona plans to offer an outcomes-based payment model for Zevaskyn, which likely will see complementary use with Krystal’s Vyjuvek in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients.

Soriot Cautions Europe Amid More US Expansion

 
• By 

The AstraZeneca CEO again calls for rich European countries to pay more for new drugs because "a model where the US funds innovation in our industry for the entire world doesn't work."

Sanofi Spends Big In US But Offers Crumbs Of Comfort For Europe

 
• By 

CFO François Roger tells Scrip the French drugmaker is flexible geographically on making investments but its spend in the US has risen regardless of the threat of tariffs.

More from Scrip

Finance Watch: Unity Lays Off All Employees As It Evaluates Alternatives

 
• By 

Restructuring Edition: Unity unveiled more Phase IIb data for lead asset UBX1325 along with plans to shed its workforce while seeking a partner for it and other drugs. Also, Ono is consolidating US employees at one site, Entrada is cutting its workforce by 20% and other recent strategic shifts.

In Brief: Genmab To Seek FDA Nod For Epkinly In Lymphoma

 

Genmab will submit an sBLA for Epkinly in R/R follicular lymphoma in H1 2025, backed by positive Phase III data.

Pharma Predicts Modest Impact From Tariffs, But It Depends On What Comes Next

 

Drugmakers aren’t expecting a big financial hit from tariffs for now, but a report commissioned by PhRMA suggests the cost of pharma-sector tariffs could be steep.