And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is, so far, rather modest. We plan to tidy up the Pharmalot grounds, promenade with the official mascots, and catch up on our reading. We also hope to hold another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? As the weather changes, this is a fine time of year to enjoy all sorts of scenery, so perhaps a trek to the countryside is in order. Or you could stay close to home and stroll through a spacious park and watch the leaves flutter about. Those of you with manors to maintain might want to scoop up your own piles of leaves. Homebodies could remain indoors and stream the hours away. This may also be an opportunity to boost the economy by ordering an autumn sweater or two. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
The Trump administration announced a deal to expand access to popular obesity drugs made by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly — offering more coverage for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and lowering the prices across the board, STAT writes. The administration argued that giving millions more people access to these drugs represents a major victory in the fight against chronic disease. The precise timeline for the coverage expansion and the extent of who will gain access remain unclear. Medicare and Medicaid will receive substantial discounts on the drugs, and will cover them for some individuals with overweight or obesity. The companies have agreed to sell the treatments for $245 a month across both programs for weight loss and diabetes. Medicare beneficiaries will have a $50 copay, and commercial plans will also receive discounts.
A new payment model from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aims to bring the Trump administration’s “Most Favored Nation” pricing deal to Medicaid, in an effort to link U.S. drug prices to lower prices abroad, The Hill notes. State Medicaid programs that choose to participate in the model will be able to purchase drugs included in the pilot at prices aligned with those paid in select other countries. The agency said the five-year pilot, which launches in 2026, is designed around “allowing Americans to benefit from fairer, more competitive pricing.” The model will allow CMS to negotiate with participating manufacturers for lower prices, while states adopting the model will implement uniform, transparent coverage criteria. Under the new Medicaid pilot, CMS said it will seek letters of intent from state Medicaid agencies interested in participating. States that express interest will later be able to formally apply and potentially opt in to the terms and prices CMS negotiates with participating drug manufacturers. It is not clear immediately how deep the discounts will be.
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STAT Pharma: The science and business of new drug development
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