Drugmakers are expected to increase prices on more than 500 drugs early this month; the FDA approved nearly 50% more novel drugs in 2023 than in 2022; the number of Americans who were not pregnant and wanted abortion pills increased by nearly 10 times after the Supreme Court’s 2022 Roe v Wade decision leaked.
Drugmakers are expected to increase more than 500 drug prices early this month, according to Axios. This prediction comes from Reuters’ recent report on an analysis from health care research firm 3 Axis Advisors, which found that more than 140 drug brands will have their prices raised. Drugmakers are more likely to raise or lower drug prices around the beginning of a new year, with recent price increases averaging around 5% to 6%. This practice may receive more scrutiny as the Biden administration conducts the first-ever Medicare drug price negotiations and cracks down on companies hiking drug prices faster than inflation.
The FDA approved nearly 50% more novel drugs in 2023 than in 2022, according to Reuters. Compared to 37 approved last year, the FDA approved 55 innovative therapies in 2023 containing an active ingredient or molecule not previously approved; this is greater than the average as the FDA historically approves about 45 to 50 new drugs a year. This increase puts it back on pace with historic levels as analysts and investors said the improvement could lead to increased investment in biotech firms. Notable FDA approvals included Biogen’s Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi and Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Zepbound.
A research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Tuesday reported that the number of Americans who were not pregnant and wanted abortion pills increased by nearly 10 times after the Supreme Court’s 2022 Roe v Wade decision leaked, according to USA Today. Based on data provided by Aid Access, a telemedicine provider, more than 48,000 abortion pill requests were made between September 2021 and April 2023. Aid Access saw a spike in requests in May 2022 after reports emerged that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v Wade as their daily request numbers rose from about 25 to nearly 250 per day. The researchers noted that those requesting abortion medication in advance were mostly White women aged 30 years or older with no children living in urban areas or regions with less poverty.
Shelly Lanning on How Employers Can Reduce Costs by Bridging Gaps in Women's Health Care
May 3rd 2024In a presentation at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health Women’s Health Summit, Shelly Lanning, cofounder and president of Visana Health, addressed the need for comprehensive approaches in women’s health care and their coverage options.
Read More
Tackling Health Inequality: The Power of Education and Experience
April 30th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.
Listen
Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
Listen