Policy

Senate Hearing Focus for FDA Chief Centers Away From Drug Pricing

November 21st 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

President Trump’s choice to lead the FDA faced some questions, but not many, about drug pricing, according to various press reports about the Senate committee hearing Thursday regarding the nomination of Stephen Hahn, MD, FASTRO, the chief medical officer of MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Medicare Enrollees Looking at Stand-Alone Part D Drug Plans Should Shop Around, Report Says

November 20th 2019

By Allison Inserro

With more choices available in 2020 for Medicare stand-alone Part D drug plans, beneficiaries should compare choices, especially if they are not low income or on specialty drugs or drugs not on the payer’s formulary, according to a new analysis.

AARP Says Brand-Name Drug Prices Outpaced Inflation Once Again in 2018

November 15th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The AARP Public Policy Institute has released a new Rx Price Watch report showing that, last year, the retail prices of 267 brand-name drugs that are commonly used by older Americans rose by an average of 5.8%—more than twice the general rate of inflation, which was 2.4%.

Bill to Stop Disingenuous Citizen Petitions Advances in House

November 15th 2019

By Allison Inserro

A House subcommittee voted unanimously Thursday to send a bill intended to stop sham citizen petitions from clogging the FDA’s approval process for generic drugs under the section 505 pathway to the full Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Top 5 Biosimilars Articles for the Week of November 11

November 15th 2019

The Center for Biosimilars® recaps the top stories for the week of November 11, 2019.

Organizations React to 2020 Medicare Part B Increases

November 14th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Organizations reacted this week to news that CMS is raising Part B premiums with a variety of opinions, as CMS blamed rising drug prices for the increase.

Rising Drug Prices Cited for Most Biologic Spending Growth

November 11th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Postmarket drug price changes alone accounted for most of the recent spending growth on biologics, and manufacturers’ rebates had little impact, according to an abstract presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2019 meeting, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, this week.

Designing Today's Policies for Tomorrow's EU Biosimilar Portfolios

November 11th 2019

Today in the European Union, we can be proud and celebrate the fact that in 28 EU Member States, biosimilar medicines are in use, and competition in the biological medicines field has consistently brought value for patients and healthcare communities. In general, broader access (more patients treated) is an immediate consequence of biosimilar competition, and earlier access to treatment (where clinically appropriate) has been observed in a number of countries.

Employers Call on Congress to Take Action on Drug Prices as the Cost of Providing Coverage Grows

November 8th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

The high cost of healthcare is putting a strain on employers who provide health insurance coverage to their employees, and prescription drug prices are now front and center in the push to make coverage more affordable to provide to American workers.

Seriously Ill Medicare Beneficiaries Struggle With Financial Hardship

November 7th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Among all respondents, 53% of beneficiaries reported having had a serious problem paying a medical bill of any kind. Thirty percent of respondents said prescription drugs created the largest burden.