Leaders of the Senate Finance Committee have discussed a deal to limit drug prices in Medicare; Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will annouce a "Netflix model" deal with Aseuga Therapeutics that will increase access to an effective Hepatitis C drug, AbbVie has annouced a $63 billion transaction agreement to acquire Allergan.
The leaders of the Senate Finance Committee are conducting bipartisan talks about a deal to limit drug prices in Medicare, The Hill reported. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) called for requiring drug companies to pay back rebates to Medicare’s Part D program if their prices rise faster than inflation and return funds to Medicare if they launch an expensive new drug. Some Republican senators argued the proposal is too similar to price controls for drugs. The Senate Health Committee created a package designed to protect patients from surprise medical bills and the drug pricing bill could be included if the Finance Committee reaches a deal.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is launching a “Netflix model” deal with Aseuga Therapeutics, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Gilead Sciences, that will increase access to Epclusa, a drug that cures 98% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases, The New Orleans Advocate reported. Earlier in March, the Louisiana Department of Health and Corrections selected Asegua to be the state’s pharmaceutical partner to combat HCV following negotiations guided by Louisiana Health Department Secretary Rebekah Gee. While Epclusa typically costs $24,000 per treatment, Asegua will provide unlimited quantities of the drug to the state’s Medicaid patients and patients in state prisons for the next 5 years after the state pays a set price.
AbbVie announced that it has reached a $63 billion transaction agreement to acquire Allergan, according to The Center for Biosimilars. The deal is expected to close by early 2020 and AbbVie will be led by its current chief executive officer (CEO) Richard A. Gonzalez and 2 members of the Allergan board, including Brent Saunders, the company’s current chairman and CEO. AbbVie said it expects the combined revenue of the 2 companies’ portfolios and platforms to be approximately $48 billion in 2019.
Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
Listen
Commonwealth Fund Report Details Pervasive Racial and Ethnic Disparities in US Health Care, Outcomes
April 18th 2024Using 25 health system performance indicators, the Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Health Disparities Report evaluated racial and ethnic disparities in health care and health outcomes both within and across US states and highlighted the urgent need for equitable health care policies and practices in the US.
Read More
Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
Listen