Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study: Subsidies Sway Many With Low Incomes To Fill Costly Prescriptions
Stat: Many Medicare Part D Beneficiaries Don't Fill Prescriptions For Pricey Drugs
Medicare Part D beneficiaries who have low incomes and receive government subsidies were nearly twice as likely to fill a prescription for a high-priced medicine for cancer or other illnesses compared with Americans who don’t receive such support, according to a new study. The analysis found that many beneficiaries who do not receive subsidies — which can cap or lower out-of-pocket costs — did not fill their prescriptions. For instance, 30% of prescriptions for cancer drugs were not filled and more than 50% of prescriptions written for medicines used to treat high cholesterol or immune disorders also went unfilled. (Silverman, 4/6)
And more on the high cost of prescriptions —
Health News Florida: DeSantis Expresses Frustration As Drug Imports From Canada Remain Bottled Up
Nearly three years after Florida lawmakers approved a plan to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed frustration Tuesday that the plan remains stalled in Washington, D.C. DeSantis and then-state House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, made the issue a priority in 2019, with lawmakers ultimately approving a plan to make imported drugs available in government-related programs. Former President Donald Trump’s administration approved a rule in 2020 to help clear the way for imports, but groups including the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America launched a legal challenge that remains unresolved. (Saunders and Turner, 4/6)
The New York Times: Inside A Campaign To Get Medicare Coverage For A New Alzheimer’s Drug
The day after Medicare officials announced a preliminary decision to sharply limit coverage of the controversial new Alzheimer’s medication Aduhelm, citing its unclear benefit and serious safety risks, the nation’s most prominent Alzheimer’s advocacy organization convened its policy team. The agenda: fighting Medicare’s proposal. “This is our top priority,” Robert Egge, the association’s chief public policy officer, said at the Jan. 12 session, according to recordings obtained by The New York Times. (Belluck, 4/6)
Modern Healthcare: Biosimilars, Generics To Slow Drug Cost Increases In 2022
Biosimilars and generic drugs are poised to slow drug cost growth this year, a new report indicates. Total drug spending increased 7.7% from 2020 to 2021 to $576.9 billion, driven by an uptick in the utilization of COVID-19 therapies, according to an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists analysis. Drug prices only increased 1.9% in 2021, in part thanks to new biosimilars and generics that came to market. Drug spending rose 4.9% to $535.3 billion from 2019 to 2020 while prices ticked up 0.3%. (Kacik, 4/6)
In other pharmaceutical news, you might want to think twice about snuggling with your pet —
CIDRAP: Study: Dogs, Cats Share Resistant Bacteria, Resistance Genes With Owners
Observational research set to be presented later this month at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) suggests close contact with pets could result in sharing of multidrug-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. (4/6)
