Policy

British Columbia Starts Second Phase of Switching Patients to Biosimilars, This Time for IBD

September 6th 2019

By Allison Inserro

This week, British Columbia began the process of transitioning patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to biosimilars.

Patient Groups, Others Ask HHS to End Part B Cost Sharing for Biosimilars

September 5th 2019

By Allison Inserro

More than 20 groups, representing patients, employers, and others, are asking HHS to end cost-sharing for Medicare Part B patients when a provider administers a biosimilar rather than a reference biologic.

Throwing in the Towel on Biosimilars Wouldn't Be Easy, Expert Says

September 5th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Amitabh Chandra, PhD, Ethel Zimmerman Wiener professor of public policy and director of health policy research at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, says that while price regulation is not impossible, “It’s very, very hard to do. Given that it’s hard to do, do we need to do it?”

National Health Service Reports Substantial Savings From Biosimilar Adalimumab

September 4th 2019

By Kelly Davio

England’s National Health Service (NHS) says that it has saved £110 million (US $134 million) by implementing its policy to use the best-value adalimumab after the brand-name Humira lost European patent protection in October 2018.

Women More Likely Than Men to Ration Diabetes Meds Due to Cost, CDC Says

August 27th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Women are more likely than men not to take their diabetes medication as prescribed in an effort to control prescription drug costs, as are adults under age 65, according to a report published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Not So Different": What's Next for Drug Pricing After Withdrawal of the Rebate Rule?

August 18th 2019

In July, the Trump administration withdrew its proposal to block rebates and discounts given by drug makers to pharmacy benefit managers, Part D plans, and Medicaid managed care organizations. Withdrawal of the rule was a discouraging development for many physicians who hoped that the proposal could give relief to their patients at the pharmacy counter. This week on the podcast, we’re speaking to one such physician, Madelaine Feldman, MD.

Cummings and Sanders Seek Pricing Information From 3 Generic Drug Makers

August 17th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Representative Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland, and Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, have sent letters to executives of 3 generic drug makers in which they ask for drug pricing information as part of a probe into the rising cost of generics.

With Drug Imports Looming, Questions Raised About FDA Foreign Inspection Program

August 13th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Concerns about overseas inspections continue in the wake of an HHS plan to create 2 potential pathways to allow the importation of some drugs that were intended for foreign markets.

Canada Announces Reforms to Reduce Prices on Patented Drugs

August 12th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The Canadian government has announced amendments to its regulations concerning patented drugs that it says will make medicines more affordable. According to Health Canada, these changes will save Canadians $13.2 billion (US $9.97 billion) over the next decade.

Change Dosing Regimens To Lower Drug Costs? It's Possible, Researchers Say

August 9th 2019

By Allison Inserro

The August issue of JAMA Oncology features a Viewpoint that puts forth a free-market solution to lower high drug costs by changing dosing regimens without hurting efficacy using the approach of interventional pharmacoeconomics (IVPE).