Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Are Million-Dollar Drugs Worth The Cost?
CNN: Do Million-Dollar Medicines Deliver Enough Bang For The Buck?
If you think prescription drugs have become way too pricey, you are not alone. About three quarters of Americans think that the cost of medications is unreasonable, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health organization. Some of the priciest medications are ones that just hit the market -- cancer drugs such as Stivarga and drugs for the hepatitis C virus such as Sovaldi. However, costs have also been rising for tried and true drugs, such as for diabetes and multiple sclerosis. (Storrs, 9/10)
The Associated Press: First ‘Biosimilar’ Of A Biologic Drug Reaches U.S., Finally
Years after discounted versions of some of the most expensive drugs ever went on sale in other countries, they’re finally coming to the world’s biggest medicine market. Last week brought the first U.S. launch in a new category called “biosimilars.” They’re near-copies of powerful prescription drugs known as biologics “manufactured” in living cells. (Johnson, 9/10)
The Wall Street Journal: Express Scripts Names Eric Slusser CFO
Express Scripts Holding Co. named health-care sector veteran Eric Slusser as its chief financial officer. The move comes a day after the company said longtime Chairman and Chief Executive George Paz plans to retire from the helm next year and named company President Tim Wentworth as his successor. (Stynes, 9/10)
