Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: Instead Of Turning To Drug Importation, U.S. Should Establish Reciprocity For Approvals From Foreign Agencies
Los Angeles Times: A Smarter Way To Curb Drug Prices Through Imports
The Trump administration last week announced steps that could lead to the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, where prices are lower. It is a goal supported by President Trump, but long opposed by many Republicans. This latest initiative would allow states, pharmacies and drugmakers to seek federal approval for demonstration projects to import drugs that are similar or identical to drugs already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (Henry I. Miller and John J. Cohrssen, 8/5)
Al.Com: There’s A Program To Address High Drug Prices – And It Is Working, Says Major Hospital Company
Each day, Alabamians and Americans across the country see the impact of rising drug prices. More than a quarter of Americans admit to not taking their medicines as prescribed at some point in the past year, primarily citing the cost. For many, these high prices lead to difficult decisions between adherence to medication or paying for other necessities, like food or housing. (Brian Massey, 8/6)
The CT Mirror: Pass The Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act
For decades, Big Pharma has raised drug prices with impunity. Here in Connecticut, the average annual cost of brand name prescription drug treatment increased 58 percent between 2012 and 2017, while the annual income for residents of the Constitution State increased only 12 percent. Prescription drugs do not work if patients cannot afford them. That is why the U.S. Senate needs to pass the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act when they return from August recess. We urge Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy to back this vital legislation, which passed the Senate Finance Committee in July with strong bipartisan support, and to support allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. (Nora Duncan, 8/7)
Modern Healthcare: Patients Suffer Because Of Drug-Pricing Games
Choice is a politicized buzzword, but its significance does not diminish with use. In many ways, we have more choices today than we ever have. Whether it’s the shows we watch, the coffee we drink, or how we get to our destinations—we have never had so many choices. But there is one area where our expectations have not been met: healthcare. For too long, patients have lacked the information and options needed to exercise meaningful choice and force competition on price. However, for the most expensive drugs, biologics, we are starting to see lower-cost alternatives. They’re called “biosimilars” and patients should be free to choose them. (Kathy Oubre, 8/3)
The Hill: Trump's Drug-Pricing Plan Is Focused On Patients, Not Profits
If you look at all the players in the ecosystem determining what U.S. patients ultimately pay for their prescriptions, the answer is clear: The Trump administration is targeting every spot where value is extracted from the consumer and taking action to ensure that their interests, instead of those of the corporate classes involved, are put first. (Corey R. Lewandowski, 8/1)
