t Three Things to Look for in a Patient Assistance Program By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Fri, 20 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Today’s guest post comes from Rob Brown, Vice President and General Manager of RxCrossroads by McKesson and Biologics by McKesson.Rob discusses the importance of access, adherence, and affordability for specialty therapy patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or low-income. He describes three criteria companies should use to evaluate patient assistance program solutions.Click here to learn more about program pharmacy solutions for biopharma from RxCrossroads by McKesson.Read on for Rob’s insights.Read more » Full Article Guest Post Sponsored Post
t Informa Connect-CBI’s 22nd Annual Medicaid and Government Pricing Congress By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Informa Connect-CBI’s 22nd Annual Medicaid and Government Pricing CongressMay 19-21, 2020 | Orlando, FLwww.cbinet.com/medicaidandgovernmentExclusive Offer: Register by April 10th and save $500* (mention promo code MDCDC5).With a volatile healthcare system combined with an election year upon us, the stakes are incredibly high for life sciences manufacturers. Staying on the pulse of industry trends, policies and regulations has never been more critical. The 22nd Annual Medicaid and Government Pricing Congress delivers critical updates and industry best practices to effectively contract, report and comply with state and federal healthcare programs. Gain timely, up-to-the-minute insights on:State Invoicing and DisputesGTN ModelsInnovative Contracting StrategiesState Price Transparency and Reporting Requirements340B Oversight and CompliancePreparing, Negotiating and Implementing FSS ContractsBona Fide Service Fees and FMVAnd many other critical topicsDownload the complete program agenda.The 2020 agenda features 75+ speakers and 50+ sessions customizable by company type and size, as well as 10 hours of dedicated networking. Bio/pharma, regulatory and government experts representing HHS, Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, Sobi, Maryland Department of Health, BMS, Jazz, Novartis, Amneal, J&J, Sunovion, Gilead, VA, Granard, Insmed, UCB, Alnylam, Louisiana Department of Health, AstraZeneca, CMS, CSL Behring, Astellas, Lilly, Oklahoma Healthcare Authority, Theravance, Indivior, Sandoz, Alvogen, Takeda, OIG, AMAG, Aimmune, Exelixis, South Dakota Department of Healthcare Services, Regeneron, Sun Pharma, Teva and many others are set to drive the dynamic dialogue. Drug Channels readers can register today and use promo code MDCDC5 to save $500.*Discount offer valid through 4/10/2020; applies to standard rates only and may not be combined with other offers, categories, promotions or applied to an existing registration. Offer not valid on workshop-only or non-profit registrations.The content of Sponsored Posts does not necessarily reflect the views of Pembroke Consulting, Inc., Drug Channels, or any of its employees. Full Article Sponsored Post
t Coronavirus Industry Impact: Patients, Pharmacies, and Wholesalers (Part 1) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 I hope you are staying healthy and are managing to navigate your work-at-home mandates.Last week, I tapped the collective insights of the Drug Channels’ audience. Nearly 700 readers shared their perspectives and projections for how the coronavirus pandemic could ultimately affect behavior, policy, and industry structure. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.I will share the results over three articles this week:Today, in Part 1, I will review the responses relating to patient behavior, pharmacies, and wholesalers. In Part 2 (tomorrow), I’ll focus on expectations for pharmaceutical manufacturers and third-party payment. In Part 3 (Thursday), I’ll examine how the coronavirus may affect the public perception of the industry’s participants.P.S. A special shout out to the respondent who hoped that the coronavirus would not impact the quality of Drug Channels memes. Never fear, dear readers: Drug Channels will remain the internet’s top destination for pharmaceutical-related humor!Read more » Full Article Channel Management Industry Trends PBMs Pharmacy Retail Clinics Wholesalers
t Coronavirus Industry Impact: Manufacturers, Public Policy, and Payers (Part 2) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Today’s post is the second in our three-part investigation of the ultimate impact of the coronavirus on the drug channel. Here is a link to the first part of our survey analysis: Coronavirus Industry Impact: Patients, Pharmacies, and Wholesalers (Part 1). That article includes details about the methodology and respondents.Today, I review how people in the industry think coronavirus will affect:Federal drug pricing legislation FDA new drug approvals Public support for single-payer health insurance Third-party payment for prescription drugs I also highlight survey respondents’ comments on whether the current situation will bring overseas pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the United States.Tomorrow, I’ll examine survey responses that address how the coronavirus may affect the public’s perception of the industry’s participants. In the meantime, remember that every day is no pants day when you work from home.Read more » Full Article Costs/Reimbursement Health Care Policy Industry Trends Medicaid Medicare Part D
t Coronavirus Industry Impact Survey: Winners and Losers (Part 3) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Today is the final installment of our three-part investigation into the coronavirus’ ultimate impact on the drug channel. Below, I examine expectations about how the coronavirus will affect the public’s perception of various industry participants. We explore what our survey respondents said about:PharmaciesPharmaceutical manufacturersHospitalsWholesalersPharmacy benefit managers and plan sponsorsInsurance companies.In these early stages of this crisis, my crystal ball is as cloudy as yours. Let’s hope that the country will stabilize within a few months. I may then rerun the survey to determine how (if at all) everyone’s perspective has changed.Read more » Full Article Channel Management Hospitals Industry Trends Marketing PBMs Pharmacy
t Expanding How CoverMyMeds Helps Patients Access Their Medications By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Today’s guest post comes from David Holladay, President of CoverMyMeds and Austin Raper, Healthcare Writer at CoverMyMeds.First, David discusses how CoverMyMeds supports medication access. Then, Austin highlights key findings from CoverMyMeds’ 2020 Medication Access Report. This new report includes industry research, patient interviews, novel survey data, and strategies for boosting patients’ medication access.Read on for David’s and Austin’s insights.Read more » Full Article Guest Post Sponsored Post
t Drug Channels News Roundup, March 2020: Sanofi’s Gross-to-Net Bubble, Drug Pricing Findings, Amazon Replaces Express Scripts, and Drug Channels Video By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000 First, let me say thank you to all of the healthcare workers who are putting themselves at risk during this crisis.As I noted last week, many of the crucial issues for our healthcare system will remain after we all get through this challenging period. In that regard, here’s a look at some noteworthy news from the past month: Sanofi discloses new data about insulin pricesExcellent new academic research on list vs. net drug prices Three notable researchers overturn their earlier research on drug costsAmazon switches PBM vendors for some of its employeesPlus, we unveil the teaser trailer for Drug Channels Video!P.S. Join the more than 9,000 followers of my daily links to neat stuff at @DrugChannels on Twitter. My recent tweets have highlighted such topics as:How GoodRx shares patients’ prescription data2019 drug trend at Prime TherapeuticsControversy about the independent pharmacy marketA new $5 generic mail order program, Medicare Part D reformRetail pharmacy’s futureJob openings at Amazon Frozen cookie doughAnd much more!I have also been tweeting many under-the-radar stories about how the coronavirus affects drug channels.Read more » Full Article Benefit Design Costs/Reimbursement Gross-to-Net Bubble PBMs
t The Latest CMS Outlook for Drug Spending—And How COVID-19 Will Change It By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:30:00 +0000 ICYMI, the boffins at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released their new projections for U.S. National Health Expenditures (NHE). Unfortunately, the coronavirus almost immediately made these predictions obsolete.It’s still useful to analyze these forecasts for a pre-pandemic examination of U.S. healthcare spending. A few highlights of the 2024 outlook:Total U.S. spending on healthcare was projected to grow, from $3.6 trillion in 2018 to $5.0 trillion in 2024. Spending on hospitals and professional services was expected to grow by a combined $800 billion—more than 60% of CMS’s projected $1.4 trillion increase in U.S. healthcare spending. That’s consistent with historical trends.Net spending on outpatient prescription drugs in 2024 was projected to shrink to less than 9% of total U.S. spending. That would be its lowest level since 2000.As usual, the actual facts run counter to the popular narrative that drug spending is skyrocketing relative to any other aspect of U.S. healthcare. Of course, the coronavirus will alter these projections. Below, I speculate how COVID-19 and its aftermath will affect healthcare and prescription drug spending. Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future. Feel free to add your own outlook in the comment section below. Read more » Full Article Costs/Reimbursement Hospitals Industry Trends Physicians
t Introducing: Drug Channels Video! By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 11:30:00 +0000 In 2006, I launched the Drug Channels website to explore the economics of the U.S. reimbursement and distribution system for prescription pharmaceuticals. More than 30,000 professionals in the pharmaceutical and related industries rely on Drug Channels for timely analysis and provocative, fact-based insights. Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of our new delivery platform: Drug Channels Video!You can look forward to:Information and analysis via our new YouTube channel (Never fear. I’ll still be publishing articles on the website every week.)Livestream video webinars (Stay tuned next week for an announcement about our first two events.) Private, live virtual keynotes and remote presentations (Email me to schedule a safe social distancing event for your team.) Online video courses (Coming later in 2020) Please watch my brief video introduction below. (Click here if you can’t see the video.) I hope you and your families stay safe and healthy in these challenging times. I look forward to reconnecting with you in person soon. Full Article Blog Administration
t Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Join Me for Two Live Video Webinars (May 1 and May 8) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2020 11:00:00 +0000 This May, join Dr. Adam J. Fein, CEO of Drug Channels Institute (DCI) and the author of Drug Channels, for two live video webinars:May 1: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Retail & Specialty Pharmacies (REPLAY) (12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET; $300 per site)May 8: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers (REPLAY) (12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ET; $300 per site)Register for replays both events (May 1 and May 8) ($500 per site for both events) You can purchase replays of these events using the links above.Dr. Fein will help you navigate this challenging time in U.S. drug channels. These 75-minute live events will be broadcast via Zoom from the new Drug Channels Video studio. See details below.CLICK HERE to submit questions to Adam in advance of the events.You can sign up for either one of these crucial educational opportunities for only $300 per site per event. We are offering special pricing of $500 if you sign up for both events. An unlimited number of people may watch at one location. However, we recognize that it may be difficult to gather your team in one location, so we are offering significant discounts for multiple viewing sites. Please contact Paula Fein (paula@drugchannelsinstitute.com) to get special pricing information for 5 or more locations. If you purchase access for multiple sites, we will contact you for the name and email address of a contact person at each location. Read on for more information about the events.To help people affected by COVID-19 and the caregivers who are supporting them , DCI will donate 20% of all profits from these events to The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund. This charity has earned a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and is a trusted philanthropic partner of Google, Coca Cola, UPS, Verizon, and many other organizations. The fund supports preparedness, containment, response, and recovery activities for those affected by the coronavirus and for the responders. WHAT YOU WILL LEARNWe will help you and your team better understand key industry dynamics and how COVID-19 may alter the industry.Dr. Fein will share DCI’s latest market data and trends from The 2020 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Topics for Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Retail & Specialty Pharmacies:The key trends for retail and specialty pharmacy marketsThe new normal for prescription demandHow COVID-19 will change the U.S. payer mixWill the 340B program be disrupted?What’s next for specialty pharmaciesThe outlook for prescription profitsThe future for the drugstores’ front-end profitsNew opportunities for pharmacists as providersMy reflections on life in a pandemic world and beyondTopics for Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers:The key trends for PBMsAn update on the latest prescription dataWhat the changing U.S. payer mix means for PBMs and insurersThe outlook for benefit designPBMs' role in Managed MedicaidMore on the 340B Drug Pricing ProgramDisruption to the buy-and-bill channelPromise and perils of vertical diversificationFurther reflections on life in a pandemic worldPLUS: Dr. Fein will take your questions during the event. CLICK HERE to submit questions to Dr. Fein in advance of the events.IMPORTANT STUFF TO KNOWAfter you register, you will receive an email with the information you will need to access our live video webinar and add it to your calendar. We will also send you reminder emails one day and one hour before the event. Watch and listen via any device with a web browser (computer, iPad, iPhone/Android, etc.)We will use Zoom technology for this webinar. You will be able to watch the live video event with your browser or by downloading the Zoom client software/app.After each event, you’ll receive a downloadable PDF with the event slides.If your plans change and you can’t make it on May 1 or May 8, we will provide an opportunity to watch a replay of the live video events. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds.Pembroke Consulting clients receive free access to the webinar. Contact Tamra Feldman (admin@drugchannels.net) for details. We will automatically refund payments from anyone at a Pembroke client who purchases access using their corporate email account. Full Article Blog Administration
t Four Unexpected Ways that the COVID-19 Medicaid Boom Will Affect PBM and Pharmacy Profits By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 11:00:00 +0000 The U.S. economy is in a medically-induced coma. Unemployment is soaring. Companies are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. It is unclear when our lives will return to their pre-pandemic state.One thing seems apparent: As people lose jobs and health insurance, Medicaid enrollment will jump, perhaps by as much as 20% to 30%. This will have profound implications for the drug channel.Today, I focus on how this increase will affect retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Below, I review Medicaid enrollment trends, how states manage prescriptions, and the factors driving the coming boom in Medicaid enrollment. As I explain, many (but not all) retail pharmacies will benefit from Medicaid growth. PBMs, however, will not fare as well. Read on and see if you agree.In early May, Drug Channels Institute will host two live video webinars: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Retail & Specialty Pharmacies (May 1) and Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers (May 8). CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP. DCI will donate 20% of all profits from these events to The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund.Read more » Full Article Health Insurance Exchanges Industry Trends Medicaid PBMs Pharmacy Pharmacy Economics
t What Is Payer Intelligence—And How Can It Be Combined With Technology to Enhance Patient Access? By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Fri, 17 Apr 2020 11:00:00 +0000 Today’s guest post comes from Scott Dulitz, Chief Strategy Officer at TrialCard. Scott discusses how combining payer intelligence with market-leading technology can enhance patient access.TrialCard recently acquired Policy Reporter, a healthcare software solutions company that provides payer intelligence to the biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics industries. To learn more, schedule a demo of Policy Reporter or contact Scott (scott.dulitz@trialcard.com).You can also register for Trialcard’s upcoming webinar: Leveraging Payer Intelligence in Patient Service Programs.Read on for Scott’s insights.Read more » Full Article Guest Post Sponsored Post
t Three Early Signs That COVID-19 Could Disrupt the Buy-and-Bill Channel By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Will home infusion growth be a long-overdue correction for the buy -and-bill channel or a temporary blip that will soon vanish?For some time, I have been tracking the evolution of the buy-and-bill system for provider-administered drugs. The data have shown that hospital outpatient departments have been displacing physician offices. Amid this shift, home infusion providers have accounted for a minority of commercial medical benefit spending and a tiny share of Medicare Part B spending.However, the coronavirus pandemic is triggering new growth in home infusion for buy-and-bill products. Below, I highlight the early signs of a marketplace change. I believe that some of these short-term shifts in the buy-and-bill market will persist even after we have recovered from COVID-19. They may even slow the runaway growth of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. If not, then I suppose we'll just keep living in a world with limited home infusion over and over.In early May, Drug Channels Institute will host two live video webinars: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Retail & Specialty Pharmacies (May 1) and Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers (May 8). CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP. DCI will donate 20% of all profits from these events to The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Watch my video invitation below.Read more » Full Article Buy-and-Bill Channel Management Hospitals PBMs Physicians Specialty Drugs
t Medication Access During Uncertain Times—Improving Provider Workflows to Help Patients in Need By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Today’s guest post comes from Miranda Gill, Senior Director of Provider Network at CoverMyMeds. Miranda reviews how the pandemic affects the ability of healthcare workers to complete administrative responsibilities like prior authorization. She then outlines how electronic automation is helping patients get needed medications while face-to-face interactions are restricted.Learn more about healthcare IT solutions for providers and patients in CoverMyMeds’ 2020 Medication Access Report, or schedule a virtual meeting.Read more » Full Article Guest Post Sponsored Post
t The Top 15 Specialty Pharmacies of 2019: PBMs Stay On Top By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 11:30:00 +0000 In Drug Channels Institute's list of the top 15 pharmacies of 2019, we show that many of the largest U.S. pharmacies are now central-fill mail and specialty pharmacies operated by PBMs and insurers. To complement that broader ranking, we present below our exclusive list of the top 15 pharmacies based on specialty drug dispensing revenues. Consistent with our previous analyses, PBMs and insurers have retained their dominance over specialty drug channels, while smaller pharmacies are facing increased competition and profit pressures. I see upside for specialty pharmacies in the aftermath of the pandemic. This growth will come at the expense of provider-administered drug channels. I expect the top companies’ share will increase in 2020, due to mergers and business transitions among the largest PBMs. However, the increasing role of government payers may create opportunities for smaller pharmacies. This Friday, I’ll discuss how COVID-19 will affect the specialty pharmacy market during the first of my two live video webinars.Over the next two weeks, Drug Channels Institute will host two live video webinars: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Retail & Specialty Pharmacies (May 1) and Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers (May 8). CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP. Contact Paula Fein (paula@drugchannelsinstitute.com) for our special promo codes for multiple viewing sites. DCI will donate 20% of all profits from these events to The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund.Read more » Full Article Industry Trends Mergers and Acquisitions PBMs Pharmacy Specialty Drugs
t Drug Channels News Roundup, April 2020: Drug Pricing Outlook, COVID-19 Data Tracker, Community Oncology Clinics, and My Favorite Chart of 2020 By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Rumor has it that Spring has finally reached our worldwide headquarters here in beautiful downtown Philadelphia. (See photo at right.) While we wait to go outside, please enjoy this month’s selection of noteworthy news:The outlook for drug pricesA outstanding (and free!) resource for tracking COVID-19 daily dataWhat’s up with community oncology practices?Plus, I share my favorite chart of 2020 (so far). P.S. Join the more than 9,200 followers of my curated links to neat stuff at @DrugChannels on Twitter. My recent tweets have highlighted: Prime Therapeutics new gene therapy offering, AmerisourceBergen’s laudable deal with the Justice Department, the Costco/Instacart deal, Rite Aid’s new CEO, clinical trial trends, vaccine pricing, and much more! I have also been tweeting under-the-radar stories about how the coronavirus is affecting drug channels.Tomorrow (May 1), Drug Channels Institute will host the first of two live video webinars: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: Retail & Specialty Pharmacies. We'll host the second video webinar—Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers—on May 8. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP. Contact Paula Fein (paula@drugchannelsinstitute.com) for our special promo codes for multiple viewing sites. DCI will donate 20% of all profits from these events to The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund.Read more » Full Article Buy-and-Bill Costs/Reimbursement Gross-to-Net Bubble Physicians
t Elsevier: Challenges and Trends to Watch in 2020 (Guest Post) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Fri, 01 May 2020 11:30:00 +0000 Today’s guest post comes from Trygve Anderson, Vice President of Commercial Pharmacy at Elsevier.Trygve discusses trends and challenges to watch in 2020, including drug pricing transparency, the approval and interchangeability of biosimilars, and stakeholder access to timely and accurate data. Learn more about Elsevier’s information analytics capabilities from its video: Evaluating Drug Data Yields Business Value. Read on for Trygve’s insights.Read more » Full Article Guest Post Sponsored Post
t Insurers + PBMs + Specialty Pharmacies + Providers: Will Vertical Consolidation Disrupt Drug Channels in 2020? (rerun) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 11:30:00 +0000 This week, I’m rerunning some popular posts while I prepare for this Friday’s video webinar: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers. Life was very different when I originally published today’s article. 2020 is not turning out to be quite what any of us expected. However, the pandemic has exposed some intriguing pros and cons of vertical consolidation. Click here to see the original post and comments from December 2019.The largest insurers, PBMs, and specialty pharmacies have now combined into vertically-integrated organizations. As I explain below, these companies have also been rapidly integrating with healthcare providers.I also provide an updated look at these companies and highlight strategies that they are using—or could use—to control the channel. I believe that these insurer / PBM / specialty pharmacy / provider organizations are poised to restructure U.S. drug channels by exerting greater control over patient access, sites of care/dispensing, and pricing.If they can effectively coordinate their sprawling business operations, they will pose a substantial threat of disruption to the existing commercial strategies of pharma companies. Will they succeed by better managing care and costs, or merely by extracting higher profits from our convoluted system?Read more » Full Article Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Buy-and-Bill Channel Management Mergers and Acquisitions PBMs Pharmacy Physicians Retail Clinics Specialty Drugs
t Express Scripts + Prime Therapeutics: Our Four Takeaways From This Market Changing Deal (rerun) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 11:30:00 +0000 This week, I’m rerunning some popular posts while I prepare for this Friday’s video webinar: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers. I suspect this deal will remain profitable for the participating companies even as COVID-19 alters the US. prescription payer mix. Click here to see the original post and comments from January 2020. National market shares for the largest PBMs in 2019 appears as Exhibit 88 of our 2020 Economic Report on U.S. Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers.P.S. Sorry that today's meme is one day too late for Star Wars day.Just before the holidays, Cigna’s Express Scripts business announced a market-changing deal with Prime Therapeutics. Click here to read the press release.There's been very little written about this transaction, though it has potentially major implications. Below, I share my thoughts on the following topics arising from the deal:Implications for manufacturers and pharmaciesThe role of the secretive Ascent Health Services What this all means for WalgreensWhy the Federal Trade Commission won’t challenge the dealA few weeks ago, I explained why integrated insurer / PBM / specialty pharmacy / provider organizations are poised to restructure U.S. drug channels. The Express Scripts / Prime deal signals that the channel will continue its amazing pace of reinvention.The scale, scope, and interconnectedness of today’s market participants make the system increasingly resistant to massive disruption from either external players like Amazon or a government takeover. Like it or not, the channel will continue to gain power and extract profit. Read on and see if you agree.Read more » Full Article Channel Management Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) Industry Trends Mergers and Acquisitions PBMs
t Why Part D Plans Prefer High List Price Drugs That Raise Costs for Seniors (rerun) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 11:30:00 +0000 This week, I’m rerunning some popular posts while I prepare for this Friday’s video webinar: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers. Part D reform has faded from the policy debate. This rerun explains why it is still needed. FYI, this is my favorite article from 2020 (so far). Click here to see the original post and comments from January 2020.Our high-list-price/high-rebate system remains a fundamental source of warped incentives and cascading problems within the Medicare Part D program.For proof, check out the previously unpublished data below on market share for products that treat hepatitis C. Despite manufacturers offering products with lower list prices, Medicare Part D plans have rejected the therapeutically identical but lower-priced versions of these drugs.List prices significantly affect seniors’ out of-pocket costs, so Part D plans are needlessly costing many of them thousands of dollars. The federal government's Medicare spending is also unnecessarily higher.Anyone concerned about drug prices should pay close attention to this situation. Part D plans and seniors who don’t need specialty medications are benefiting, while seniors who need treatment with specialty medications are ripped off. Just another day inside the gross-to-net bubble!Read more » Full Article Benefit Design Costs/Reimbursement Gross-to-Net Bubble Medicare Part D PBMs Specialty Drugs
t Express Scripts vs. CVS Health: Five Lessons From the 2020 Formulary Exclusions and Some Thoughts on Patient Impact (rerun) By feeds.feedblitz.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 11:30:00 +0000 This week, I’m rerunning some popular posts while I prepare for this Friday’s video webinar: Industry Update and COVID-19 Impact: PBMs & Payers. Today's rerun highlights one of the most effective tactics that PBMs have developed to extract deeper discounts from brand-name drug makers. COVID-19 seems likely shift the U.S. payer mix away from commercial health plans. Expect even tighter formulary management and more restrictions as PBMs work even harder to cut costs for their plan sponsor clients. Click here to see the original post and comments from January 2020.For 2020, the two largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—Express Scripts and the Caremark business of CVS Health—have again increased the number of drugs they have excluded from their standard formularies. The 2020 formulary exclusion lists are available below for your downloading pleasure.Below, I highlight my key takeaways from the 2020 lists:The number of exclusionsManagement of specialty drugsIndication-based formulariesThe slow adoption of biosimilarsThe PBMs’ patient-unfriendly exclusions in the hepatitis C categoryFormulary exclusions have emerged as a powerful tool for PBMs to gain additional negotiating leverage against manufacturers. The prospect of exclusion leads manufacturers to offer deeper rebates to avoid being cut from the formulary. Exclusions are therefore a key factor behind falling brand-name net drug prices.Read on for a look at this year’s exclusions along with some closing thoughts on what exclusions mean for patients.Read more » Full Article Benefit Design Biosimilars PBMs Specialty Drugs
t Early Detection: A New Front in the War on Cancer By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT Blood tests that find malignancies before they spread could transform our approach to treatment -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Medicine
t Astronomers May Have Found the Closest Black Hole to Earth By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT At just 1,000 light-years away, an object in a nearby star system could be our nearest known black hole—but not everyone is convinced -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Space
t Did Galileo Truly Say, 'And Yet It Moves'? A Modern Detective Story By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 12:30:00 GMT An astrophysicist traces genealogy and art history to discover the origin of the famous motto -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Physics
t Menopause Predisposes a Fifth of Women to Alzheimer's By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT Being female is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Why? -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Features Mind Neurological Health
t Comets Prevent Ether from Accumulating in Space By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 14:30:00 GMT Originally published in January 1859 -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Space
t Just How Dangerous Is the 'Murder Hornet'? By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 15:00:00 GMT Its sting is excruciating to people, but it is a bigger threat to honeybees vital for agriculture -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Public Health Sustainability Environment Biology
t People Don't Have to Succumb to Anxiety during This Pandemic By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 16:00:00 GMT That emotion is natural in a situation like this, but there are ways to mitigate it -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Behavior & Society
t Government Watchdog Chides FEMA for Lax Flood Enforcement By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 18:00:00 GMT The agency fell well short of its goal of evaluating local flood control efforts every five years -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Sustainability Climate Environment Natural Disasters
t A Word about Those UFO Videos By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 18:00:00 GMT I’m an astrophysicist, but that doesn’t mean I have a motivation to debunk them -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Space
t 'Breakthrough' COVID-19 Tests Are Currently Cheap, Fast--and Not Very Accurate By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 10:45:00 GMT Antigen-based assays could be used in the home, but critics say their error rates are still an issue -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Public Health
t The COVID-19 Response Is Failing Communities of Color By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 11:00:00 GMT To build trust with traditionally underserved groups, health officials need to craft their messaging in a much more culturally sensitive way -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Behavior & Society
t DIY Tool Lets High Schoolers Practice Gene Editing By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT With a few dollars, researchers replicated an instrument that typically costs thousands -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Advances Tech Medical & Biotech
t Scientist Mothers Face Extra Challenges in the Face of COVID-19 By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT The pandemic is amplifying nearly every disadvantage that women in STEM already face. But institutions and the scientific community can help -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Policy & Ethics
t Marijuana May Not Lower Your IQ By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 15:00:00 GMT Rigorous new studies should be able to settle the matter -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Mind Cognition Neurological Health Neuroscience
t Cleaner Air Courtesy of Coronavirus Provides Window into a Car-Free Future By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 15:30:00 GMT With cars off the roads, scientists can study how smog and other types of pollution change -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Sustainability Climate Environment Automotive
t To Prevent the Next Pandemic, End Unequal Access to Natural Resources By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 16:00:00 GMT Safeguarding public health requires rethinking our relationship to the environment and the inequities that drive its destruction -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Environment
t Flamingos Can Be Picky about Company By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:58:00 GMT They don’t stand on one leg around just anybody but often prefer certain members of the flock. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Mind Behavior & Society Conservation The Sciences Evolution
t New Model Predicts Sudden Rogue Waves By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 10:45:00 GMT Unified theory describes formation of huge, mysterious waves -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Advances The Sciences Physics
t Rabbit Virus Could Provide Gene Therapy By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 15:00:00 GMT Originally published in February 1967 -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Medical & Biotech The Sciences Biology
t The Geosciences Community Needs to Be More Diverse and Inclusive By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:00:00 GMT It’s essential if we’re going to protect our planet -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Policy & Ethics
t Soils Store Huge Amounts of Carbon, Warming May Unleash It By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 16:30:00 GMT Higher temperatures and wetter weather may spur soil microbes to release more carbon into the atmosphere -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Sustainability Climate EARTH Environment
t Heat and Humidity Are Already Reaching the Limits of Human Tolerance By www.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 18:00:00 GMT Events with extreme temperatures and humidity are occurring twice as often now as they were 40 years ago -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article Health Public Health The Body Sustainability Climate Environment
t Believable Extraterrestrials By blogs.scientificamerican.com Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT The 100th anniversary of astronomy’s “Great Debate” prompts thoughts on the hunt for life in the universe -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com Full Article The Sciences Space
t Majority of Americans Open to Clinical Trial Participation If Recommended by a Doctor, New Study Finds By www.acrohealth.org Published On :: Wed, 06 Sep 2017 17:35:42 +0000 WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) applauds Research!America for a recently released survey on the public’s perception of clinical trials.... Full Article News Press Releases
t ACRO Testifies About Clinical Trials In New Jersey By www.acrohealth.org Published On :: Mon, 23 Oct 2017 22:32:04 +0000 Washington, DC – October 24, 2017 – On October 19 ACRO Executive Director Doug Peddicord, Ph.D., testified at a public hearing of... Full Article News Press Releases
t ACRO Urges Modernization of the R&D Tax Credit By www.acrohealth.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:49:41 +0000 WASHINGTON – November 14, 2017 – As the Senate begins debate on a tax reform bill, the clinical research industry hopes that... Full Article News Press Releases
t John Ratliff of Covance Elected 2018 ACRO Chairman By www.acrohealth.org Published On :: Thu, 25 Jan 2018 21:33:17 +0000 WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has elected John Ratliff, CEO of Covance Drug... Full Article News Press Releases
t British MP Benn talks Brexit challenges and the future of UK clinical research industry By www.acrohealth.org Published On :: Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:32:25 +0000 The Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) highlights contributions to health and economy (Leeds, UK) – Facing unprecedented challenges associated with Brexit,... Full Article News Press Releases Brexit MP UK
t ACRO Opposes Fatally-Flawed Right-To-Try Legislation By www.acrohealth.org Published On :: Fri, 18 May 2018 23:01:22 +0000 In May of 2017 the Board of Directors of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations, which represents the world’s leading clinical research... Full Article News Press Releases Compassionate Use Congress House Right-To-Try Senate