Rx Drugs

Advocates for HIV patients are scheduled to meet May 9 with White House budget officials to argue against a CMS proposal that would let insurers restrict coverage of drugs in six protected classes in Medicare Part D.

FDA launched an educational campaign to help consumers understand how to dispose of unused opioid medications in their homes.

Leading consumer advocacy groups say the public health stakes are high in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) case heard by the Supreme Court this week, warning in an amicus brief that a decision to tighten restrictions on what information can be released would virtually dry up data the groups have obtained from FDA.

Siding with brand-drug makers, the Commerce Department on Wednesday (April 24) said the government should clarify that high drug prices are no basis for breaking patents.

The House Energy & Commerce health subcommittee will hold a hearing Tuesday (April 30) on the cost of drugs in Medicare Part B and Part D as members prepare to take up bills to lower drug costs for seniors.

CMS proposed Tuesday (April 23) policy changes that would significantly increase Medicare pay to hospitals for administering expensive CAR-T cancer drugs and make it easier for hospitals to get the maximum possible reimbursement for administering the chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) on Monday (April 22) called for the Ohio legislature to enact four policies targeting spread pricing practices by pharmacy benefit managers that would route all state drug purchases through a single PBM contract, give the state auditor unrestricted authority to review all PBM drug contracts, make PBMs fiduciaries and ban nondisclosure agreements regarding drug pricing with the state.

Medicare Trustees lowered their estimated spending projections for retail drugs in large part because rebates are bigger than they expected, and the health insurance lobby says that finding bolsters their case against HHS’ plan to eliminate rebates.

In the wake of a 35-day partial government shutdown that furloughed 41 percent of the agency’s staff earlier this year, a group of FDA policy experts sent a letter to the agency asking for more details on how much funding FDA had and from what sources; exactly how many personnel were exempted, excepted and furloughed throughout the shutdown; and how FDA is preparing for future shutdowns.