Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Officials Plead With Farmers To Stop Using Antibiotics, But Drugmakers Are Also Whispering In Their Ears
The New York Times: Warning Of ‘Pig Zero’: One Drugmaker’s Push To Sell More Antibiotics
Facing a surge in drug-resistant infections, the World Health Organization issued a plea to farmers two years ago: “Stop using antibiotics in healthy animals.” But at last year’s big swine industry trade show, the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, one of the largest manufacturers of drugs for livestock was pushing the opposite message. “Don’t wait for Pig Zero,” warned a poster featuring a giant picture of a pig peeking through an enormous blue zero, at a booth run by the drugmaker Elanco. (Hakim and Tichtel, 6/7)
The Associated Press: Police: Man Says He Robbed Bank Because He Couldn't Buy Meds
Police say a 65-year-old man told them he robbed a Utah bank because he didn't have the money for medication he needed. The Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday that Glenn Douglas Mower was charged with robbery. He is accused of robbing a Key Bank branch Monday in Roy, about 32 miles north of Salt Lake City. Authorities say Mower walked into the bank, asked the teller to put money in a white paper bag and then returned to a nearby motel where he was staying. (6/7)
Columbus Dispatch: Drug Middlemen Name Own Prices, Methodology Goes Unchallenged
The profits of pharmacy middlemen — known as pharmacy benefit managers — have become a major issue in Ohio, other states and Congress during the past year. In response, the Ohio Department of Medicaid says it is undertaking major reforms. Its biggest managed-care contractor, Dayton-based CareSource, announced in April that it was firing CVS Caremark as its PBM and hiring Express Scripts to act in its place. (Schladen, 6/10)
Cincinnati Enquirer: No More Viagra: Cincinnati May End Coverage Of Retirees' ED Pills
Cincinnati's cost cutting is about to get personal for retirees who use their city insurance for Viagra and other drugs that treat impotence. City Manager Patrick Duhaney sent a memo to City Council last week outlining his plan to eliminate most coverage for erectile dysfunction medication, a move he said would save Cincinnati's retirement system about $425,000 a year. (Horn, 6/9)
