The Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act of 2022 has been introduced by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and David McKinley (R-WV) and Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV).
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In 2017 we wrote an article that previewed the Cancer Moonshot Initiative (CMI). It was a widespread belief that with Joe Biden becoming President that the CMI would return in some capacity. Today, the White House issued a Fact Sheet that has reginited this policy effort.
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Lanton Law spoke with Pharmacy Times about the possible market implications of the new Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.
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Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a press release announcing the enactment of S3762/A.1396 which provides for PBM registration and licensure.
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According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency has published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 27, 2021, that rescinds the November 27, 2020, MFN Model interim final rule with comment period. The final rule rescinding the Most Favored Nation Model interim final rule with comment period can be found here.
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In a recent press release Senator Wyden (D-OR) has sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to according to “investigate recent consolidations in Oregon’s retail pharmacy market to assess whether large national pharmacy chains and health plans have acted to make this market less competitive.”
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On December 1, 2021 the Congressional Cannabis Caucus composed a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the Caucus’ advocacy for medical marijuana access for veterans.
The letter stated “As bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, we are pleased to learn the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considering a change in policy to allow for access to medical cannabis for VA patients. We implore your agency to act swiftly and implement this change as soon as possible.”
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According to a December 1, 2021 press release, Representatives Carter (R-GA) and Gonzalez (D-TX) have reintroduced the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act. The legislation “would limit the power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to artificially spike Medicaid drug prices. The Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act bans the use of spread pricing by middlemen (PBMs) in Medicaid managed care. PBMs drive up prescription drug costs without adding any value to the consumer.”
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U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) are back as they recently introduced their long anticipated and bipartisan Cures 2.0 legislation. The bill is discussed via Congresswoman DeGette’s press release.
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This week the 8th Circuit issued a decision in the case of Pharmaceutical Care Management Association v. Wehbi, which supported North Dakota’s legislative actions to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PCMA v. Wehbi is the first case at the federal appellate level since the landmark Rutledge v. PCMA decision last year that upheld Arkansas law also regulating PBMs.
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Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced The States Reform Act, which is aimed at becoming the first prominent policy push by a House Republican to end the current federal prohibition on marijuana.
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According to the FDA’s press release, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first interchangeable biosimilar product to treat certain inflammatory diseases.”
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On October 6th, California Governor Newsom (D-CA) signed SB 41 titled Privacy: genetic testing companies.
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in conjunction with the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), Treasury (collectively, the Departments), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued an interim final rule with a comment period that seeks to implement the No Surprises Act aimed at surprise medical billing.
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The House of Representatives has passed by voice vote an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by adding the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act to the legislation.
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According to a press release by Senator Warner (D-VA), a newly introduced “bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate proposes to ensure Medicare patients maintain access to home infusion therapies that require the use of an infusion pump. The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act — introduced by Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — would ensure patients with serious viral and fungal infections, heart failure, immune diseases, cancer, and other conditions can receive the intravenous (IV) medications they need while at home.”
The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act can be viewed here.
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FDA Approves First Interchangeable Biosimilar
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