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What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids; Biden’s Domestic Agenda; Teva Opioid Settlement
The CDC laid out a plan for mass rollout of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years old, pending FDA authorization; President Biden pivots focus onto drug pricing to revive his social spending agenda; Teva opioid settlements could total $3.6 billion when all’s said and done.
Rollout Planned for COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under 5
As reported by CNN, the United States has a tentative plan to roll out around 10 million vaccine doses for children between ages 6 months and 5 years old if the FDA grants emergency use authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The plan stems from the CDC’s updated pediatric COVID-19 vaccination planning guide and states that providers and facilities that ordered dosed should be ready to receive a shipment of vaccine doses on February 21. The FDA’s vaccine advisory committee is set to meet February 15 to discuss potential emergency use authorization for children as young as 6 months old.
Biden Focuses on Drug Prices to Revive Domestic Agenda
In an attempt to progress his stalled domestic agenda, President Biden is refocusing attention on limiting prescription drug costs as he prepares for travel to Virginia, according to a report from the Associated Press. The president’s press secretary, Jen Psaki, said during a press conference that the abuse to American families in relation to high drug prices needs to stop. Biden’s trip will serve as an opportunity for him to start promoting Democratic candidates in preparation for the November midterm elections. During his visit, he expected to lend support to a Democratic representative in danger of losing her seat in a central-leaning district. The report claimed that prescription drugs remain a politically safe focal point for the president’s visit.
Teva May Pay $3.6 Billion in Opioid Settlement
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries may pay up to $3.6 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits alleging that it and other drug companies helped fuel the US opioid epidemic, as reported by Reuters. The Israel-based company recently reached a settlement with Texas worth $225 million, which is comprised of $150 million in cash and $75 million in products. According to chief executive Kåre Schultz, based on the Texas settlement and a proposed nationwide settlement with other distributors and drugmakers, Teva will likely have to pay between $2.7 billion and $3.6 billion over the next 15 years. Schultz added that a deal could be reached by next year.
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.
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The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) vote to ban most employers from issuing and enforcing noncompete clauses could have varying impacts on the health care workforce; federal regulators vastly under-enforced antitrust laws in the hospital sector during the last 2 decades, resulting in increased health costs; the FDA recently found genetic evidence of the H5N1 bird flu virus in pasteurized commercially purchased milk.
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What We’re Reading: Abortion Privacy Rules; Alzheimer Drug Hurdles; Nursing Home Staffing Overhaul
April 23rd 2024New health privacy rules aim to protect patients and providers in an evolving abortion landscape; some physicians express concerns about efficacy, risks, and entrenched beliefs in treating Alzheimer disease; CMS addresses longstanding staffing deficits in nursing homes.
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