Pharma Tries To Get Two Steps Ahead As Trump Turns Attention To Price Gouging
The drug industry has been trying to gain control of the story — such as pledging to limit price increases — so that it can protect itself from attacks that might come from the incoming president. Meanwhile, some Republicans champion importing drugs to help cut down on costs and, following the EpiPen controversy, a watchdog agency reviews others in the drug rebate program.
The New York Times:
Wary Drug Makers Move To Fend Off Further Attacks Under Donald Trump
If the nation’s pharmaceutical executives thought Donald J. Trump would grant them a reprieve from scrutiny over high drug prices, he made them reconsider that idea in the last few days. “I’m going to bring down drug prices,” he told Time magazine in an interview published on Wednesday. “I don’t like what’s happened with drug prices.” ... But unlike those other companies, many drug makers have already been taking steps in recent weeks to insulate themselves from future attacks. (Thomas, 12/9)
Morning Consult:
Republicans Eye Boosting Competition To Help Trump Lower Drug Prices
President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to lower drug prices, an idea that’s been pushed primarily by Democrats but has support from some key GOP senators. And while Trump hasn’t offered a detailed plan to cut drug prices, during the campaign he floated the possibility of allowing Medicare to negotiate with drugmakers and called for the importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries. Both proposals traditionally attract more support from Democrats, but a few GOP senators are with Trump on importation. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said the safe importation of drugs was one step he’d like to see taken to lower drug costs. (McIntire, 12/9)
Stat:
After EpiPen Controversy, Watchdog To Review Medicaid Rebates
A government watchdog agency is conducting three new reviews of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to determine the extent to which drug companies are properly paying required givebacks to the health care program. The move comes in the wake of an enormous controversy over EpiPens, the emergency allergy device sold by Mylan Pharmaceuticals. Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, companies must accurately report — and pay — a rebate on drugs paid for by the agency. Mylan recently reached a $465 million settlement with the Justice Department for shortchanging Medicaid by not paying appropriate rebates, although the feds never confirmed the deal. (Silverman, 12/9)
