Learn about the latest trends and activities through our blog posts.
The U.S. Supreme Court today has overturned the D.C. Circuit ruling that upheld the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS’) $1.6 billion annual reduction within the 340B program. In an opinion drafted by Justice Kavanaugh, the Court believed that HHS failed to gather a survey of hospital acquisition costs before deciding on the payment reductions at issue.
Read MoreSince the early 2000s, there has been a steady increase in the amount of government activity that has directly affected healthcare stakeholders. Prior to this time-period, companies could afford to focus only on differentiating their products from their competitors. Now companies are finding that during their strategic planning meetings, they must account for how state and federal government activity may impact their bottom line. In addition to having a Government Affairs staff, these same companies are starting to realize the importance of having established a relationship with a lobbyist. The question is how do you find the right lobbyist for your organization?
Read MoreThe Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2022 was introduced by Senate Commerce Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley.
Read MoreRon Lanton of Lanton Law interviews Shelley Bailey of Famlee. They discuss fertility, entrepreneurship and the benefits of technology for the advancement of women's health.
Read MoreMassachusetts Attorney General Healey has agreed to Optum’s Atrius Health acquisition for a price of $236 million. With this Optum has taken another step in its acquisition of Massachusetts’ largest independent physician organization.
Read MoreIn an interview with Pharmacy Times, Ron Lanton, JD, principal at Lanton Law, discussed the recent Johnson & Johnson legal settlement in Texas to resolve opioid claims. Lanton said this decision could be significant but working with prescribers is an essential step to shifting the opioid epidemic.
To access the video and the entire text of the interview click here.
Read MoreWe have a new micro webinar on the corporate practice of medicine.
Read MoreCheck out our micro webinar on the upcoming FTC comment and period on pharmacy benefit managers.
Read MoreAccording to the Food and Drug Administration proposed rule, the (FDA) is “proposing national standards for the licensing of prescription drug wholesale distributors (“wholesale distributors” or “wholesale drug distributors”) and third-party logistics providers (“3PLs”), as directed under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) (Title II of the Drug Quality and Security Act). Pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as amended by the DSCSA, the proposed rule would establish standards for all State and Federal licenses issued.”
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreLanton Law spoke with Pharmacy Times about the possible market implications of the new Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.
Read MoreIn 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.”
Read MoreLast week Representative Maloney (D-NY) who is the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform released the final staff report, resulting from a multi-year investigation into drug pricing. The Committee investigation was originally started by the late Representative Cummings.
Read MoreCongress has introduced the CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act “that will establish federal standards for CBD food and beverage products to protect consumers and provide marketplace stability for farmers, producers, and retailers.”
Read MoreOn 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.”
Read MoreAccording 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.”
Read MoreThis 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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