Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Perspectives: Mainers Shouldn't Have To Ration Their Medication
Piscataquis Observer: Mainers Need Relief From Rising Drug Prices
There is no question that, over the years, pharmaceutical companies have made significant contributions to the people of Maine and to our nation. But somewhere along the way, the benefits scale tilted heavily in favor of Big Pharma. The United States has the highest total drug spending in the world and, as drug prices soar, we also have the highest per capita pharmaceutical spending among developed countries. As the pharmaceutical industry’s profits increase, everyday Americans are not getting a fair deal. Costly medications are driving people into medical debt and putting lives at risk. Here in Piscataquis County, I have seen the high cost of pharmaceuticals cause people to ration life-saving medicine. (Democratic Rep. Richard Evans, MD, 6/14)
Maine Beacon: Bills To Address Rising Health Care, Drug Costs Advance Despite Attacks From Big Pharma
Fourteen year old Leo from Waterville recently testified on a bill making its way through Maine’s legislature that would provide emergency access to insulin for Mainer’s who would otherwise go without. Leo, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age two, doesn’t remember life without diabetes. He talked about the fact that, because his pancreas doesn’t make insulin, he has to take insulin daily or will die. Sometimes he can’t eat when he wants to because his blood sugar is too high, and other times he isn’t able to play with his friends because his blood sugar is too low. He spoke about his friends sharing a meal and how he has had to wait and consult with his mother to count the carbs and how he constantly is reminded he is different. He ended his testimony talking about his future –when he gets older, he wants to be able to think about the Celtics and saving money for a car, rather than worrying about saving money for insulin. (Ann Woloson, 6/11)
Also —
GoErie.com: When It Comes To Prescription Drugs, PBMs Have The Power
PBM is an acronym for Pharmacy Benefit Manager. They administer your prescription program and sets the rules and regulations. When you go to your pharmacy to get a prescription filled, which was written by your physician, you probably have a prescription card from your employer or insurance company that lists the name of the PBM they have contracted with. About 90% of the time, the PBM is either Express Scripts (ESI), CVS/Caremark or Optum. (Mel Brodsky, 6/12 )
Komando.com: Money-Saving Tip: How To Get 80% Off Your Prescription Medication
Americans spend more on prescription drugs than any other country in the world, racking up more than $358 billion in costs in 2020 alone. That’s driven, in large part, by high prices on medications used by millions. Georgetown research shows about 66% of Americans take at least one prescription drug. If you do, you know just how pricy a little bottle of pills and other medications can be. (Kim Komando, 6/6)
