Leading pharmaceutical executives called to testify before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on drug prices were likely the first of many to be summoned. It’s a no-win situation, but preparation can help. Find out why changing the subject can be a smart tactic. Discover how some senators may try to lure execs into inadvertently lying–and learn how to avoid it.
When the US Senate Finance Committee met recently with seven top pharma industry leaders to discuss drug pricing topics, they hit on some key issues, but left other items out of the discussion. Pink Sheet’s industry experts discuss what they wish would have been addressed during this unusual opportunity.
An informal round table discussion among more than 20 key market access leaders in biopharma convened by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) yielded some interesting insights into the innovations that are forcing changes to the way the industry runs.
Sanofi’s recently released drug-price increase report reveals that the company’s average U.S. list prices increased 4.6% in 2018. That increase was offset by rebates, resulting in a net decline of 8%. Find out what the report had to say about its insulin pricing rationale, including for Admelog (insulin lispro). See how Sanofi is responding to outrage over drug prices, and learn about its patient-assistance programs.
Commercial payers in Massachusetts and AveXis may soon pilot an annuity payment model for Zolgensma. This would spread out insurance payments for the high-cost treatment over years to reduce the burden on payers. The pilot will likely involve a performance component. Learn who the players are and what they stand to gain–and what they risk. Find out how the annuity model would work in practice.
A proposal from the HHS Office of Inspector General to amend the safe harbors-provision in the Anti-Kickback statute could save billions. It would exclude some rebates used by biopharma companies from safe-harbor protection in an effort to reduce prescription costs. Find out how PhRMA and the PBM trade group reacted. Learn how much the proposed change would save. Gain insights into the OIG’s thinking and see what the proposed rule includes.
Find out the circumstances surrounding the unexpected positive results that the January 2019 US government shutdown (including the shutdown of US FDA) had on a breakthrough allergy immunotherapy in this thoughtful analysis from the industry experts at Pink Sheet.
Go behind the scenes for the details on Genetech’s proposed “Combination Pricing Pilot” plan, which offers a discount for Avastin and Tecentriq when the two drugs are used in conjunction to treat patients with lung cancer. Pink Sheet brings you the details about the proposal, which ties into the company’s Medicare Part B interests.
Pink Sheet brings you a look at the effects of the Bristol-Celgene merger on the public and political perceptions of the companies, with an examination of how pricing for Revlimid has affected Celgene’s public image and stock pricing.
Despite remarks from the US President to the contrary, US pharmaceutical companies have not yet voluntarily lowered their prices. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar discusses the reasons why, and delves into the use of regulations as a means of prohibiting rebates in this illuminating article from Pink Sheet.
At December’s FDA/CMS Summit in Washington, Health and Human Services Secretary Eric Hargan used Pfizer’s recent price hike of 41 of its products as evidence that higher drug costs are a direct result of the rebate system, a viewpoint touted by the Trump administration in their quest to lower drug prices.
The US Department of Health and Human Services is hoping for stability in its ranks in order to move its drug pricing reform policy forward, according to HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan. Find out more about anticipated personnel adjustments to the HHS in this Pink Sheet article.
Stay aware of proposed changes to the existing Medicare Part B average sales price (ASP) payment system. Explore Genetech’s “Market-based Pricing Model”, as well as changes to the existing competitive acquisition program, and the possibility of moving Part B drug coverage to Part D in this essential article.
Capture the key takeaways from Novartis’ third quarter call in this illuminating article from Scrip. Eight Things To Know From Novartis’ Third Quarter Call brings you the most important developments from the third quarter earnings call that occurred on October 18. Gain insight into the progress on new launches, regulatory developments, and more.
At the annual Alliance for Regenerative Medicine’s Cell and Gene Meeting on the Mesa in San Diego, the struggles of setting pricing and reimbursement for these new, one-time treatments, and the opportunities to influence how these new treatments are paid, were a recurring theme.
Sign up to the Pharma Intelligence Report Store Newsletter to get the latest blogs, news, reports and discounts!