Prescription drug costs are a hot political issue, not as much because of the share of the U.S. health care dollar they consume but because consumers pay a larger share of their drug costs out of pocket than they do for other health care. The lack of price transparency for prescription drugs is a large part of the problem, and making pricing more transparent throughout the process could help in … [Read more...] about Price Transparency Is Critical to Drug Pricing Solutions
Prescription Drugs
Biosimilar Drugs Offer Promise For Drug Price Savings, But Risks Remain
The issue of prescription drug prices continues to top the list of public concerns about health costs, and Congress and the administration are floating possible policy solutions. Solutions to this complex problem will be most effective if they are targeted and geared toward encouraging rather than undermining competition and innovation in the vibrant 21st century life sciences industry. One … [Read more...] about Biosimilar Drugs Offer Promise For Drug Price Savings, But Risks Remain
More and better information can enhance patient care
With Congress intensely focused on big decisions involving health reform legislation, it’s easy to miss other initiatives that are quietly moving through Congress which could make a major contribution to achieving the goals of health reform One example is a measure offered by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) that would open the lines of communication between biopharmaceutical, medical device, and … [Read more...] about More and better information can enhance patient care
New Taxes Won’t Lower Drug Prices
Prescription drug prices continue to be a hot political issue, with the Trump administration preparing to release an action plan as soon as repeal and replace legislation clears Congress. Mick Mulvaney, who heads the White House budget office and is participating in the talks, floated an idea last week that should quickly be crossed off the list of policy ideas. He told the LIGHT 2017 Forum at … [Read more...] about New Taxes Won’t Lower Drug Prices
Studies Show U.S. Patients Are Being Denied Access To Life-Saving Drugs
Decisions by health care authorities are impeding patients’ access to new medicines. That is a headline Americans expect to read about barriers to treatments in government-run health care systems that ration access to care, often to stay within their global spending budgets. But a study presented at the recent American College of Cardiology annual meeting in Washington, D.C., showed this … [Read more...] about Studies Show U.S. Patients Are Being Denied Access To Life-Saving Drugs
Far-Reaching Medicare Part B Changes Violate Separation Of Powers — And With CBO’s Blessing
Members of Congress expressed outrage at the Congressional Budget Office during a recent House hearing for assuming that sweeping, untested changes to Medicare will save $34 billion “even before you know what the project is,” Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) said. “There is no cost-benefit analysis, there is no testing done, you don’t even know what they’re going to be looking at, but you’re saying … [Read more...] about Far-Reaching Medicare Part B Changes Violate Separation Of Powers — And With CBO’s Blessing
Competition in Medicare Advantage, Part D, and “Extra Help”/ Working together for seniors and taxpayers
Seniors are beginning to get fliers in the mail alerting them to the upcoming open season for enrollment in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Both programs rely on competition and consumer choice to increase options and hold down costs for seniors. Open season begins October 15 for those planning to enroll or switch plans. Seniors will have the opportunity to … [Read more...] about Competition in Medicare Advantage, Part D, and “Extra Help”/ Working together for seniors and taxpayers
More Competition is the Best Cure
The most interesting thing about the PR disaster involving Mylan’s life-saving EpiPen is probably the least discussed—namely that drugs don’t cost what people think they do. Faced with a barrage of criticism for EpiPen price hikes, from about $100 in 2009 to more than $600 today, Mylan’s CEO Heather Bresch explains that her company gets less than half of the list price and that the remaining … [Read more...] about More Competition is the Best Cure