Starting January 1st, over 550 medications increased their price a median 5% according to a report by 3 Axis Advisors. More price increases are expected over the next few weeks. Many drug manufactures have pledged to not increase medication prices above 10% a year due to increasing public scrutiny. Manufacturers increasing prices include Pfizer (90 […]
On December 17, 2019, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed guidance for the importation of medications from Canada. The goal of this proposal is to allow patients access to FDA approved medications from abroad at a lower cost. The guidance would allow states, wholesalers, and pharmacies to come up with proposals for safe importation […]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released two sets of regulations that would make health care costs publicly available. These regulations could significantly shake up the health care space making it easier for employers to design health benefits to steer employees toward hospitals with high value services. The first regulation (found HERE) […]
On November 15, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Adakveo®, a treatment to reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in patients with sickle cell disease. These severe events are unpredictable and can cause life-threatening complications. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which the red blood cells are abnormally shaped […]
A recent article by the Wall Street Journal explores the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), and how payers are beginning to use this organization’s model to make medication coverage decisions. ICER has no political ties, which allows it to provide an independent examination on the price of drugs. ICER uses a model which […]
Coverage for the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) insurance exchanges is now open and runs through December 15th. This year consumers are expected to see premiums decline about 4%. Currently, approximately 10.6 million Americans’s receive health insurance on federal and state-based exchanges. Consumers can make their selections here: HealthCare.gov Additional Information: WSJ ; FierceHealthCare ; CNBC
On Monday October 21st, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of Trikafta®, the first triple combination therapy, for cystic fibrosis (CF). Trikafta® is approved for patients 12 years and older with cystic fibrosis who have at least one F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which is […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to decide on two new peanut allergy therapies in the next 6 months. These emerging medications are expected shift how patients with this condition are treated. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology estimates approximately 2.2% of children and adolescents have a peanut allergy. Allergic […]
Starting October 15th, Medicare beneficiaries can enroll or make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for 2020. The enrollment will be available now through December 7th for individuals to make their selections. Over 60 million seniors are expected to switch plans or stay with their existing coverage. Medicare beneficiaries can make […]
On August 15, 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Harmony Biosciences’ Wakix® (pitolisant) for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adult patients with narcolepsy. Harmony Biosciences has indicated they expect Wakix® to be commercially available in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2019 with an annual price tag […]
