Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Downstream Result Of Drug Shortages: Price Hikes For Similar Medications
The Wall Street Journal: Prescription-Drug Shortages Help Push Up Prices Of Similar Drugs
Prescription-drug supply shortages have hurt U.S. medical care in recent years. According to new research, they’ve also caused another side effect—drug-price increases. A shortage of the bladder-cancer drug BCG in 2014 and 2015 led to sharp price increases for a less effective alternative treatment, mitomycin, according to research published online Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine. (Loftus, 4/12)
Minnesota Public Radio: Mayo Clinic CEO's Big Pharma Gig: 4 Questions
Global pharmaceutical giant Merck this week asked Mayo Clinic CEO Dr. John Noseworthy to join its board. While common, experts say these kinds of relationships raise conflict of interest concerns and must be carefully navigated. (Richert, 4/12)
