Hello, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, despite the cloudy skies hovering over the unusually quiet Pharmalot campus. While the sun may not be shining, we will rely on sage advice from the Morning Mayor, who reminded us that every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift. So while you tug on the ribbon, we will brew another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is toasted coconut. As always, you are invited to join us. Or grab a bottle of water if you prefer. Meanwhile, here is the latest menu of tidbits for you to digest. We hope your day is meaningful and productive, and of course, do stay in touch. We appreciate your insights. …
Medicare for the first time has estimated that a new Alzheimer’s treatment could cost the program billions of dollars by next year — well beyond what Wall Street or even the drug’s manufacturer have projected, STAT reports. Medicare actuaries expect the drug, which is called Leqembi and sold by Eisai in partnership with Biogen, to cost the traditional Medicare program around $550 million in 2024. That is projected to increase to $3.5 billion in 2025 for the entire Medicare program, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services confirmed. The projection forecasts a large increase in uptake over the next year and a half.
The number of ongoing and active drug shortages in the U.S. stood at 323 during the fourth quarter of last year — the highest figure reached since such data began being tracked in 2001 — underscoring growing concerns about patient harm across the country, STAT tells us. Unresolved shortages have, in fact, been hovering above 300 for more than a year as numerous basic and life-saving medicines are in short supply. These include oxytocin, which is used during childbirth; Rho(D) immune globulin, which helps some women during pregnancy; standard-of-care chemotherapy, pain and sedation medicines; and ADHD pills.