Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Critics: Letting Generic Drugmaker Join PhRMA Akin To Allowing A Spy Into The Fold
The New York Times: Brand-Name Drug Makers Wary Of Letting Generic Rival Join Their Club
For decades, brand-name and generic drug companies have fought each other in Congress, at international trade negotiations and in court. So when the world’s largest generic drug company moved this year to join the powerful trade association for producers of brand-name medicines, pharmaceutical lobbyists were in a swivet. The trade group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA, is plunging into battles over drug prices here and in many state capitols. And the request from the generic company, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, is raising eyebrows in PhRMA’s secretive councils. (Pear, 7/1)
Politico Pro: PhRMA Board Member Opposes Admitting Generic Company
The world’s largest generic drug manufacturer wants to join the branded drug lobby powerhouse PhRMA. That isn’t sitting well with all of PhRMA’s members. Teva's membership could “undermine the message of the organization,” and make it more difficult to reach unified positions, AbbVie Vice President Carlos Alban, a PhRMA board member, wrote in a May 23 letter obtained by POLITICO. Teva and PhRMA companies disagree on key areas of policy before the courts, FDA and lawmakers, the letter says. (Karlin-Smith, 7/1)
The New York Times: California Drug Price Plan Is Criticized By Patient Advocates
A state ballot initiative meant to lower prescription drug prices for California faces an expected opponent: the pharmaceutical industry, which has spent almost $70 million to defeat it. But concerns are also coming from a more curious source: some patient advocacy groups. Called the Drug Price Relief Act, or Proposition 61, the proposal would prohibit state programs, such as California’s Medicaid, from paying more for a drug than the lowest price paid by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, which typically receives big discounts. (Pollack, 7/4)
Kaiser Health News: Medicaid, Private Insurers Begin To Lift Curbs On Pricey Hepatitis C Drugs
After legal battles and lobbying efforts, tens of thousands of people with hepatitis C are gaining earlier access to expensive drugs that can cure this condition. States that limited access to the medications out of concern over sky-high prices have begun to lift those restrictions — many, under the threat of legal action. And commercial insurers such as Anthem Inc. and United HealthCare are doing the same. (Graham, 7/5)
