Despite Big Talk On Bringing Down Drug Prices, Critics Find Trump’s Plan Modest, Underwhelming
The White House Council of Economic Advisers has released a 30-page strategy for reducing drug costs. But the White House strategy largely sidesteps the question of whether drugmakers set their prices too high to start with.
The New York Times:
Lower Drug Prices: New Proposals Carry Lots Of Promises
When it comes to high drug prices, President Trump and members of Congress have been long on promises but short on action. But that appears to be changing: The White House on Friday released a report recommending significant changes that would affect drug costs and the president’s budget proposal on Monday is expected to include some plans to expand drug coverage under Medicare. In addition, a spending bill passed by Congress on Friday included a provision that would accelerate closing a payment gap in Medicare for prescription drugs. (Thomas and Abelson, 2/9)
In other national health care news —
The New York Times:
F.D.A. Chief Goes Against The Administration Stereotype
Scott Gottlieb, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, came to the job with a résumé straight out of the Trump administration’s playbook. A millionaire with a libertarian bent, he made his money working for the industry he now regulates, and had investments in 20 health care companies whose products could come before the agency for approval. Pharmaceutical and medical device executives enthusiastically supported his nomination, while consumer and public health groups sounded the requisite alarms. (Kaplan and Thomas, 2/11)
The Associated Press:
Trump To Nominate Jim Carroll As Next Drug Czar
President Donald Trump has tapped deputy White House chief of staff Jim Carroll to serve as the administration's next drug czar. Carroll's position as head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy will make him the most public face of the administration's efforts to fight the opioid epidemic — an effort critics say hasn't gone nearly far enough. (2/9)
Reuters:
OxyContin Maker Purdue Pharma Stops Promoting Opioids, Cuts Sales Staff
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma said on Saturday that it has cut its sales force in half and will stop promoting opioids to physicians, following widespread criticism of the ways drugmakers market addictive painkillers. The drugmaker said it will inform doctors Monday that its sales representatives will no longer visit physicians’ offices to discuss the company’s opioid products. It will now have about 200 sales representatives, Purdue said. (2/10)
Stat:
How Will Amazon Revolutionize Health Care? Follow Its Footprints In Seattle
Amazon’s effort to shake up health care is as tantalizing as it is opaque — a giant black box hanging over one-fifth of the American economy. But several clues about its plans are plainly visible in its hometown of Seattle, where it has hired executives from health industry heavyweights and spurred adoption of technologies it may eventually use to upend drug distribution and other aspects of care. (Ross, 2/12)