Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Helped Drive US Pharmaceuticals Spending Up 12% In 2021
Stat: U.S. Spending On Pharmaceuticals Jumped 12% In 2021, Fueled By Costs Of Covid-19 Vaccines And Therapies
Thanks to Covid-19 vaccines and therapies, U.S. spending on pharmaceuticals rose 12% in 2021 as use reached record levels and new prescriptions for acute and chronic care largely recovered from the slowdown seen during the pandemic, according to a new analysis. Meanwhile, out-of-pocket costs paid by patients hit $79 billion, a $4 billion rise from the year before and the same level seen in 2018 after two years of declining costs. Overall, these costs were relatively low — less than $20 per prescription — but about 1% of all prescriptions filled, or 64 million, ran patients $125, underscoring ongoing barriers to affordability. In fact, 81 million prescriptions were not filled last year. (Silverman, 4/21)
KHN: US Rep. Gaetz’s Diagnosis Of What’s Driving Insulin Costs Misses The Root Cause
At the end of March, after the House passed a bill that would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for insured consumers, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) tweeted about why he voted against the legislation. “Insulin price increases have more to do with increased consumer demand than the bad behavior of Big Pharma, which I am quick to condemn,” Gaetz wrote. (Knight and DeGuzman, 4/22)
In news about marijuana —
AP: 'Amazing': Cannabis Sales In New Jersey Bring Excited Buyers
Michael Barrows wore his Grateful Dead T-shirt and Jerry Garcia face mask for opening day of recreational marijuana sales in New Jersey on Thursday, one of dozens of people who lined up before dawn to join the celebratory scene. “It’s pretty amazing, exciting, and if I get pulled over on the way home and I’m ever asked if I have any drugs in the car, now I’m allowed to say ‘Only this,’” Barrows said, holding up the canister of marijuana flower he had just purchased. Possession of cannabis is now legal in New Jersey, although driving under the influence is still prohibited. (Catalini, 4/22)
AP: Beshear Seeks Input For Possible Action On Medical Cannabis
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday he will form an advisory team as part of a broad review as he weighs whether to take executive action to legalize access to medical marijuana. Beshear said he instructed his legal team to analyze potential options for executive action to create a framework to make medical cannabis available for people suffering from specified medical ailments. (Schreiner, 4/21)
NBC News: Florida Bride, Caterer Accused Of Serving Cannabis-Laced Food At Wedding
A Florida bride and a caterer have been charged with serving food containing cannabis to unsuspecting guests at a February wedding, according to officials.The bride, 42, and the caterer, 31, were arrested this week and charged with violations of an anti-tampering law and delivery of cannabis, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department and court records. ... Some people felt so ill that they went to the hospital, where they tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Guests reported feeling heavily drugged and said they had not been warned, according to a detective’s affidavit. One guest said he had trouble operating a cellphone, and another thought she might die, the sheriff’s detective wrote. (Helsel, 4/21)
