Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
AstraZeneca Hiked Prices On Its Biggest Drugs By As Much As 6% This Year
Los Angeles Times: COVID Vaccine Maker Got $1 Billion In Aid But It's Boosting Prices
One of the world’s largest drug companies has been aggressively raising prices even as it received hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. government aid to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. AstraZeneca, which the Trump administration has lauded for its vaccine work, boosted prices despite renewed promises by President Trump this summer to keep drug costs in check. (Levey, 9/14)
In news on Trump's drug-pricing order —
CNBC: Trump Advisor Kushner Defends Plan To Cut Drug Prices
President Donald Trump’s senior advisor Jared Kushner told CNBC on Tuesday he supports the president’s plan to cut drug prices, arguing that the U.S. shouldn’t pay more than other European countries for the same treatments. The comments by the president’s son-in-law came two days after Trump announced that he signed an executive order aiming to lower drug prices. ... “Right now, there’s a disproportionate burden being shared by America,” Kushner said on “Squawk Box.” “If you’re the largest customer from somebody, you should be getting the best price, not the worst price.” (Franck, 9/15)
Deseret News: Trump Signs Order To Lower Drug Prices. Here Are The Details
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced he had “just signed” an executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. The order states that its “most-favored-nation” policy is intended to ensure the United States “should not pay more for costly Part B prescription drugs or biological products.” (Parrott, 9/14)
The Hill: Trump Order On Drug Prices Faces Long Road To Finish Line
President Trump is seeking a preelection boost on a top issue for voters — lowering drug prices — but there are doubts about when and if his latest move will bring down costs for patients. Trump signed a long-awaited executive order Sunday that aims to lower the amount Medicare pays for many drugs by tying the cost to the price tag in other developed countries. While the move could significantly cut the price for certain drugs, the timing of Trump’s action means implementation is unlikely before Election Day. (Sullivan, 9/14)
Stat: Trump's Drug Pricing Moves Are 'Savvy' Politics, But Unlikely To Lower Prices
With 50 days to go before the 2020 election, President Trump is taking his wildest swing yet at the pharmaceutical industry. He’s likely to miss, but that might not matter. (Florko and Facher, 9/15)
