Tag

Prescription Drug Prices

All articles tagged with #prescription drug prices

healthcare2 years ago

Biden Administration Cracks Down on Pharma Companies for Inflated Drug Prices, Benefits Older Americans

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that dozens of pharmaceutical companies will be required to pay rebates to Medicare for raising prices on prescription drugs faster than inflation. The Inflation Reduction Act cracks down on price gouging by Big Pharma, saving seniors who take these drugs between $1 and $2,786 per dose. The Act allows Medicare to directly negotiate lower prescription drug prices, caps the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries at $35, and requires drug companies to pay rebates if they raise prices faster than inflation. The Administration is also focused on ensuring fair pricing for medications developed with taxpayer funds and is taking steps to increase competition and bring down costs for families. The Inflation Reduction Act has already saved millions of Americans money on health insurance, insulin, vaccines, and prescription drugs, and will continue to deliver cost-savings in the coming years.

politics2 years ago

"Biden's Last Push: Revamping Obamacare for a 2024 Turnaround"

President Joe Biden is planning to focus on major health care measures in his second term, starting with cutting prescription drug prices. The proposed agenda includes expanding provisions for drug price reductions, making permanent federal premium subsidies, and finding workarounds to provide access to Obamacare coverage in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Biden's plans also include a renewed push for a public option and efforts to promote his record on health care and attack Republicans on the issue. The aim is to appeal to seniors and younger voters, address rising costs, and counter inflation attacks. Democrats in Congress are also introducing bills to expand coverage and lower drug prices, despite being in the minority. Biden's campaign hopes to capitalize on Trump's recent comments about repealing Obamacare and use health care as a wedge issue in the 2024 election.

healthcare2 years ago

Pharmacists Claim Biden's Limit on Drug Industry Middlemen Backfires

The Biden administration's attempt to impose limits on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who negotiate drug prices on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry, is backfiring and causing problems for independent drugstores. A new rule set to take effect in January requires PBMs to take most of their "performance fees" at the time prescriptions are filled, instead of weeks or months later. However, in response, PBMs are demanding that pharmacies accept new contracts with significant payment cuts for dispensing medicines. If pharmacies refuse, they risk losing Medicare customers to the large PBM conglomerates. The rule change was intended to help Medicare patients, but it has resulted in higher prescription costs and financial difficulties for independent pharmacies.

healthcare2 years ago

"First 10 Drugs Chosen for Medicare Price Negotiation by Biden-Harris Administration"

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the first ten drugs selected for Medicare price negotiation, marking a significant milestone in their efforts to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs. These drugs, which include treatments for conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, and cancer, have high total spending in Medicare Part D. Negotiations for these drugs will begin in 2023, with the aim of reducing out-of-pocket costs for seniors and saving money for taxpayers. The administration is also taking additional steps to lower prescription drug costs, including capping insulin prices at $35 per month and expanding negotiation authority for more drugs.

healthcare2 years ago

Blue Shield of California's Shakeup: Ditching CVS for Amazon and Mark Cuban's Drug Company Sends Shockwaves

Blue Shield of California is shaking up the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industry by dropping most services from CVS Caremark and partnering with Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs, Amazon Pharmacy, and other companies to purchase and deliver drugs. The move aims to lower prescription drug prices and could potentially save the insurer up to $500 million annually. This shift may encourage other insurers to follow suit or pressure PBMs to modify their practices. Blue Shield's new model will begin ramping up next year and fully launch in 2025.