Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'Right-To-Try' May Now Be Law Of The Land, But That Doesn't Mean Companies Will Start Offering Up Their Drugs
The Wall Street Journal: The ‘Right To Try’ Law Says Yes, The Drug Company Says No
Radha Rangarajan loves Moana and Elmo, the playground and the “Pout-Pout Fish” book. Like most 2-year-olds, she speaks in two-to-three-word sentences. (“Go outside!” “Mama sit.”) She gives kisses to anyone who asks. But Radha’s life is far from normal. She can’t walk without assistance. Her health will probably deteriorate rapidly in coming months. (Reddy, 6/6)
Stat: Lawmakers Push For New Antibiotics, But Stop Short Of Offering Incentives
House lawmakers on both sides of the aisle Wednesday stressed the importance of developing new antibiotics, though the draft bill they discussed did not include any of the specific incentives advocates say are necessary to promote such drug development. Left to their own devices and the stimuli of the market, companies simply won’t develop the antibiotics the world needs. Infections resistant to the current supply of medicines kill tens of thousands of Americans each year, and many more worldwide. But these drugs can’t turn a huge profit, and the more they are used, the less effective they can become, making it difficult for companies to recoup their investment. (Swetlitz, 6/6)
Stat: McCaskill Bill Would Make Pharma Report Payments To Patient Advocacy Groups
Looking to bolster transparency involving drug makers, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) introduced a bill that would require drug makers to report payments that are made to patient advocacy groups and professional societies. The legislation is designed to toughen the Sunshine Act, which was created in response to concerns that industry payments were unduly influencing medical research and practice. The law was subsequently folded into the Affordable Care Act and a federal database was launched in 2014 to which drug and device makers must report payments to physicians. (Silverman, 6/6)
The Associated Press: To Get Around Pharmacy Gag Rules, Ask About Drug Costs
"Do you have prescription insurance?" It's one of the first questions consumers hear at the pharmacy counter, and many hand over their insurance cards in the hopes of getting a good price. But sometimes using insurance can actually cost more — and even prevent the pharmacist from saying so. That's because of so-called gag rules, which bar pharmacists from telling patients when they could save by paying cash instead of using insurance. The rules — set by companies that manage prescription plans — are getting new scrutiny after President Donald Trump singled them out for criticism in his plan for lowering drug prices. (Perrone, 6/6)
Bloomberg: Icahn Builds Small Position In Drugmaker Allergan
Carl Icahn has built a small position in Allergan Plc, according to people familiar with the matter, as the drugmaker plans to spin off its women’s health and antibiotic divisions. Icahn’s motivation and the size of his investment remain unclear, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. Icahn previously held a position in Allergan, disclosing a stake in 2016 that was sold in the first quarter of 2017, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. (Deveau, 6/6)
Chicago Tribune: Some Suburban Jewel-Osco Pharmacies Are Offering Patients Genetic Testing
Pharmacists have long dispensed more than just medications, offering advice, guidance and support to customers. Now a growing number are using their expertise in a new way: to help patients find the medications that best suit their unique genetic makeups. Albertsons Cos. recently announced that, at some of its pharmacies, including at five Jewel-Oscos in the Chicago area, pharmacists are offering genetic testing. Pharmacists plan to use the tests, made by Genomind, to help patients find the most effective medications to treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among others. (Schencker, 6/6)
WBUR: One Of Biotech's Biggest Investors Says The Industry Must Be 'Unreasonable'
To talk about this side of Greater Boston's so-called bioboom, we sat down with one of the industry's most prolific investors: Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering in Cambridge. Afeyan, a Ph.D. in biochemical engineering, has helped launch at least 38 companies -- mostly in biotech. (Oakes and Amer, 6/7)
WBUR: Affording Miracles: As Biotech Victories In Gene Therapy Excite, Costs Spur Quest For New Ways To Pay
Biotech entrepreneurs talk confidently about conquering a long list of genetic disorders, from blood cancers and immune deficiencies to hemophilia and sickle-cell disease. Someday, they say, maybe they'll notch even major disorders, like diabetes and Alzheimer’s. (Knox, 6/7)
