Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
How Much Will Amazon Pharmacy Change The Industry?
Healthline: Amazon Pharmacy Boasts Big Discounts For Meds, But Isn’t The Best Deal
Amazon’s blue delivery vans have quickly become ubiquitous around the nation, delivering everything to people’s doors, from essential daily items to live insects. Now, the world’s largest online retailer run by the world’s richest man is getting even further into the U.S. healthcare market by offering to send prescription drugs to its customers’ doors. In announcing the new venture on Nov. 17, Amazon said in a statement that customers can purchase prescription medications with or without insurance. (Krans, 12/4)
Also —
Vox: Joe Biden’s Prescription Drug Prices Agenda, Explained
Just as Joe Biden prepares to take over the presidency, the pharmaceutical industry is having its best political moment in years. Numerous Covid-19 vaccines are on the verge of approval, promising an (eventual) end to the pandemic that has upended every American’s life for the last nine months. Reducing prescription drug costs has long been a top priority for voters. But given the prospect of a divided government, the other health care issues likely to dominate the Biden administration’s attention, and pharma’s renewed political clout, lobbyists and health care experts are skeptical there will be significant action to rein in drug costs over the next few years. (Scott, 12/7)
USA Today: Fact Check: Facebook Post Touting Decreasing Drug Prices Under Trump Is Misleading
A Facebook post comparing President Donald Trump’s record on prescription drug price increases to the eight years under former President Barack Obama went viral during the weeks leading up to and following the presidential election. The Oct. 16 post from Facebook user Krystal Roberts claims that prescription drug prices averaged a 3.6% year-over-year increase during the eight years preceding Trump’s inauguration. (Richardon, 12/4)
