Author: Peter

Spread of the novel coronavirus in China and beyond would have mixed effects on U.S. biopharma companies, says Moody's...the impact on their businesses may be mixed...If the virus persists long enough, branded drugmakers may see decreased demand for their innovative drugs in China...the global spread of the virus could lead to government stockpiling of certain drugs such as antivirals...As for generic players, which depend on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients, a continued outbreak may increase the risk of supply disruption...READ MORE

Christina Mattina, welcome to This Week in Managed Care from the Managed Markets News Network

A project that began in 2016 through a partnership with Renown Health and the Desert Research Institute, Healthy Nevada has gained national attention for its approach to population health. The study involves harvesting DNA from a significant population, providing individuals with information on their health risks as well data to study population health issues and concerns. According to Dr. Anthony Slonim, president and CEO of Renown Health...“We hope to improve the health of the community,” explained Slonim. “We hope to provide individuals with improved understanding of their health and their healthcare risks so they can change their behavior. And, we hope that we can make our community, our state and, potentially, our nation healthier as a result of this data.”...READ MORE

Finding quality cancer treatment is a life-altering pursuit, but too often financial challenges force patients to decide whether they can afford a potentially life-saving treatment...This month, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy changed its policy on drug donations, allowing patients to donate unneeded oral cancer therapy drugs to others fighting cancer. Drugs that were opened and in possession of one patient can now be used to help those in need, reducing waste and cutting costs...Thanks to that policy change, the OSUCCC (Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center)...has created a drug repository program that will provide patients in financial need with drugs donated by patients who no longer require them...READ MORE

Twenty one states have rejected an $18 billion settlement proposal from three major U.S. drug distributors to resolve lawsuits over their alleged role in the opioid crisis, but discussion are still active...More than 2,500 lawsuits have been brought nationwide by states, local and tribal governments over the toll the opioid crisis has taken on their communities...the states objected to a settlement offer sent to the companies’ law firms earlier this week, and were pushing for a larger payment...READ MORE

Nicole Grassano, PTNN, Pharmacy Week in Review, this weekly video program provides our readers with an in-depth review of the latest news, product approvals, FDA rulings and more.

NACDS is welcoming “the strongest signal yet” by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that a standardized pharmacy quality program should be created...In a new proposed rule, CMS proposed taking action to increase transparency in Medicare Part D plan sponsors’ pharmacy performance measures, NACDS said in a press release Plan sponsors would have to disclose these measures and CMS would publish them, according to the proposal...The CMS rule also recommends principles to guide pharmacy performance measures, urges the industry to work together toward appropriate measures, and indicates the possibility that CMS may incent plans to use appropriate quality measures, NACDS said...READ MORE

Two new reports quantify the problem that community pharmacists have experienced firsthand: direct and indirect remuneration fees are skyrocketing, causing some pharmacies to go out of business...DIR fees have skyrocketed by 1600% in the last 5 years, totaling $8.5 billion since 2013, according to a new policy analysis...Pharmacy benefit managers are profiting from DIR fees in excess of 500% per prescription, compared with the average PBM administration fee...A loophole in the program allows health plans and PBMs to pocket an excessive amount of pharmacy DIR fees rather than offset prescription costs for seniors...READ MORE

Ann Lovell...62-year-old teacher is a frequent flier, traveling every few months to Tijuana, Mexico, to buy medication for rheumatoid arthritis — with tickets paid for by the state of Utah’s public insurer.,,Lovell is one of about 10 state workers participating in a year-old program to lower prescription drug costs by having public employees buy their medication in Mexico at a steep discount compared to U.S. prices. The program appears to be the first of its kind, and is a dramatic example of steps states are taking to alleviate the high cost of prescription drugs...READ MORE

• DEA Proposes New Regulations to Address Opioid Epidemic
• FDA Issues Report on Root Causes and Solutions to Drug Shortages
• HHS Announces Guide for Appropriate Tapering or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Use
• FDA Releases Draft Best Practice Document for Postmarket Drug Surveillance
• FDA Issues Revised Draft Guidance on Regulation of Homeopathic Products, Withdraws 1988 Compliance Policy Guide
• DEA Warns of Increase in Scam Calls Targeting Pharmacists and Other DEA-Registered Providers