Pricing Debate

South Korea has laid out comprehensive drug pricing reforms that aim to enhance patient access to treatment, accelerate innovation and stabilize essential drug supplies, but the industry is concerned it could lead to weaker R&D and manufacturing and increased dependency on high-priced imports.

Under the newly-announced UK-US trade deal, the UK will increase the thresholds used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of new medicines, which should allow higher prices for innovative therapies.

An early negotiation process for certain cancer drugs could cut pricing negotiation times by up to six months, while a targeted process for non-complex drug negotiations could lead to timelines that are 30–45% faster than standard negotiations.

Experts at a recent summit discussed the complexities and impact of US MFN pricing from a payer perspective and emphasized the importance of a centralized purchaser of drugs to effectively negotiate prices. The potential rise of 'confidential discounts' in Germany was another key talking point.

Economic woes in France mean that tough and unpopular choices impacting the biopharmaceutical industry are inevitable, according to industry expert Alexandre Regniault.

The proportion of AMNOG benefit assessments leading to a positive rating, which has a direct impact on drug pricing, has decreased in recent years, according to analysis from the VFA, the association representing the German pharmaceutical industry.

Through an expansion of their partnership, Biocon Biologics and Civica Rx are planning to launch a private-label version of insulin glargine in the US from January – at a price that equates to just $11 per pen.

Roche, which faced a high stakes patent setback for Evrysdi in India, appears to have appealed against a lower court’s ruling, which went decisively Natco’s way but also included distinct 'reservations' by the judges.

The drugmaker said it would make the PCSK9 inhibitor available to patients directly, just days after announcing positive data in patients without histories of strokes or heart attacks.

US tariffs on pharmaceuticals are likely to remain, even under a subsequent administration, if they generate an income.

France’s social security financing bill for 2026 is due to be presented in parliament in the coming weeks.

As speculation grows about the Trump Administration’s most favored nation policy, BMS announced a new cash pay program for Sotyktu similar to the existing one for Eliquis, while AstraZeneca created its own program for Airsupra and Farxiga.