Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is, despite the gray skies hovering over the Pharmalot campus. We are doing our best to maintain sunny spirits, though, because once again, we recall some helpful wisdom from the Morning Mayor, who taught us that “Every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” To celebrate the notion, we are brewing still more cups of stimulation and inviting you to join us. Our choice today is mocha hazelnut. Remember, a prescription is not required. So no need to fret over rebates. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a meaningful and productive day and, of course, do stay in touch. …
A U.S. House Committee investigation found that pharmacy benefit managers promise to control costs, but have instead steered patients toward higher-priced medicines and affiliated pharmacies — steps that increase spending and reduce patient choice, The Wall Street Journal reports. The PBMs devised formularies of preferred medicines that encouraged use of higher-priced drugs over lower-priced alternatives, according to the report by the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The PBMs have also made patients pay more to use their local pharmacy rather than a mail-order pharmacy affiliated with the PBM.
Following the release of widely touted study results for a Gilead Sciences HIV treatment, a new analysis finds the medicine — called lenacapavir — could be made for as little as $26 to $40 per person each year, which the researchers argue could alleviate concerns about limited access in many countries, STAT tells us. The medicine drew considerable attention last month after a late-stage clinical trial found that twice-a-year injections completely protected cisgender women from contracting HIV. Yet the $42,250 price tag and a lack of specifics about licensing to poorer countries has caused consternation
