EU Regulators Push For Better Support For Sponsors On Using Animal Study Alternatives

 

The European Medicines Agency’s innovation network has recommended how the EU’s regulatory framework could be updated to support drug developers in using new approach methodologies, which are drug testing methods that reduce or replace animal studies.

GLP-1 Drug Coverage Growing For Obesity In Medicaid, But Only For Diabetes In Medicare

 
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Coverage data from the two programs suggest Medicare beneficiaries may be more disappointed than Medicaid enrollees by the Trump Administration’s decision not to mandate the programs cover obesity drugs.

New Medicare Negotiation Program ‘Iterations’ Inevitable, Former CMS Official Blum Says

 
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Jonathan Blum, who was principal deputy administrator during the Biden Administration, explained the agency’s approach to setting up the price negotiation program and said changes likely will be implemented by the Trump Administration.

New Medicines Pricing Proposals Would Mean More Uncertainty For Spanish Supply Chains

 

Proposals to reform Spain’s reference pricing system are out of whack with the national pharmaceutical strategy published in December, six industry associations have warned.


Pipeline To Product – What Is Driving Cell And Gene Therapy Progress In India?

 
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US-based Colossal Labs has claimed to bring back the dire wolf from extinction. While the science is not as dramatic in India yet, cell and gene therapies are making progress as treatments for cancer and other diseases. Pink Sheet takes a look at what is driving CGT success and growth

Lilly Targets Sale Of Repackaged, Redosed Zepbound, Mounjaro In Lawsuit

 
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Eli Lilly is seeking an injunction barring a weight loss clinic from dispensing modified versions of its GLP-1 products.

UK Health Secretary Admits VPAG ‘More Expensive’ Than Expected & Needs To Be ‘Resolved’

 

The UK government has listened to industry concerns about high clawback rates under the voluntary scheme and will review it in June in a bid to resolve the issue and “move on to bigger and more important things,” health secretary Wes Streeting says.

Trump Tariffs: Indian Pharma Dodges Bullet, But Sword May Remain

 
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Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on India, but a country-agnostic exemption of pharmaceuticals implies that the interests of Indian firms are protected for now. What is Indian pharma’s business exposure and what is domestic industry saying?


Dr. Oz Takes Over CMS Amid Major Transformation Of Medicare Part D

 
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As CMS administrator, Mehmet Oz will oversee the second cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations and Part D redesign issues, but will have experienced deputies to help.

Early Randomization Among Advice On How To Meet Both EMA & HTA Needs

 

Newly published insights from a series of European Medicines Agency workshops can guide drug developers in designing development plans that meet the needs of both regulators and health technology assessment bodies.

AI Could Be Used ‘In The Deliberation’ Of HTA Reviews In England, Says NICE

 

England’s health technology assessment institute, NICE, is looking to “reimagine” its evaluation process with the help of AI, rather than just using this technology to speed up its existing processes.

Dramatic HHS Layoffs A Response To ‘Existential Crisis,’ Kennedy Advisor Argues

 
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Calley Means defended reductions in force at the Health and Human Services Department that shocked and outraged federal workers and stakeholders.


Brazilian Drug Price Increase Rates Hit Eight-Year Low

 

CMED, which sets medicine prices in Brazil, has published the maximum price adjustment index for 2025.

England’s NICE Wants Industry Involvement In HTA Sandbox Projects

 

Pharmaceutical companies are being encouraged to reach out to NICE in relation to its HTA Innovation Lab, which provides a sandbox environment in which the health technology assessment body can test new methods of evaluating “innovative and disruptive” therapies.

PBMs Must Prepare For Revival Of Drug Price Transparency Requirements

 

Experts say PBMs should become familiar with transparency rules and prepare to release data, although more legal wrangling could occur.

Is Optum Rx Payment Remodel To Favor Generics A Peace Offering For US FTC?

 

Optum Rx, one of the largest PBMs in the US, declared it was the “first comprehensive, transparent pharmacy services company” after announcing several consumer-friendly changes.


England’s NICE To ‘Explore’ Severity Modifier Changes As Cost-Effectiveness Threshold Branded ‘Ridiculous’

 

Health technology assessment body NICE said it has taken on feedback about the implications of allowing higher cost-effectiveness thresholds for some medicines after senior health economists offered diverging views on its methods.

Newest HHS Staff Cuts Could Stymie CMS Health Plan Oversight

 
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A former CMS manager worries casework and other necessary functions could suffer as a result of the 300 staff cuts at the agency that are part of a massive HHS restructuring.

Power Play: US FDA Likely Losing More Than Just Staff With Restructured Health Department

 

About 3,500 full-time FDA employees are expected to be laid off as part of a restructuring of the Health and Human Services Department and experts questioned whether the cuts could be implemented without harming FDA’s core mission.

German Ordinance To Implement HTA Reg Leaves Room For Doubt

 

A German ordinance implementing the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation offers little clarity on how far joint clinical assessment reports should be considered by national authorities.