Manufacturers are engaging the European Commission and individual countries to allocate more health care spending to innovative medicines and align prices more closely to those in the US.
Pharmaceutical companies need to “pressure test” their clinical development strategies early for health technology assessment purposes, particularly in light of the new EU HTA Regulation, a life sciences consultant says.
Manufacturers have supported the proposed shift in oversight authority, which could create a more pharma-friendly environment in the drug discount program, but uncertainty remains.
No mass exodus was seen from stand-alone prescription drug plans to Medicare Advantage drug plans between 2024 and 2025, according to one actuary.
Mechanisms in the draft treaty that the more than 190 member states of the World Health Organization have finally agreed to are expected to “materially affect companies,” particularly those that develop, manufacture or distribute pandemic-related health care products.
The preliminary budget document supports legislation clawing back funds appropriated for the program.
Wide-ranging executive order to lower drug prices also hints at changes in upcoming guidance on the Medicare price negotiation program but few other potentially impactful near-term actions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Calley Means defended reductions in force at the Health and Human Services Department that shocked and outraged federal workers and stakeholders.
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.
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.
A Republican think tank suggested variations of the Most Favored Nation and international reference policies in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as tariffs and other trade levers to rebalance drug pricing disparities between US countries and abroad.
Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.
An analysis of Medicare Part D and other data found that more than one-third of all pharmacy spending went through pharmacies owned by Cigna, CVS Health, Humana or UnitedHealth Group.
The UK branded drug industry is calling for adjustments to be made to the UK voluntary scheme framework for branded medicines, after the payment rate increased to 22.9% for 2025. Meanwhile, the generics industry says the scheme is functioning “as intended” and opposes any changes.
The development could highlight the power of competitive market forces over government price controls or suggest Medicare price negotiation is enhancing competitive market forces.
US CMS Administrator nominee Mehmet Oz promises to inspire the agency he is set to lead and seems likely to succeed compared to other Trump Administration nominees.