Pharma Group: ‘Our Industry Has Become An Easy Scapegoat’
The lobbying group will fight back by attempting to shift more responsibility to insurers, who have called attention to drugmakers’ prices. In other news, California lawmakers are backing legislation that would offer financial aid for brand-name drugs.
Bloomberg:
Pharma Group, Under Pressure, Punches Back On Prices
A top pharmaceutical lobbying group will begin a counteroffensive against scrutiny of industry pricing practices, responding to criticism from both major U.S. political parties in a contentious presidential election season. “Our industry has become an easy scapegoat for the real and growing problem of patient access to affordable new medications,” Jim Greenwood, chief executive officer of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, will say Wednesday at the group’s convention in San Francisco, according to a copy of remarks obtained by Bloomberg News. (Chen and Bloomfield, 6/8)
California Healthline:
State Legislators Push Bill To Inform Patients Of Drug Company Discount Programs
California lawmakers are lining up in support of a bill that would require health plans to provide information about patient-assistance programs for expensive prescription drugs to enrollees who drop or lose their coverage. The programs are funded by pharmaceutical companies and offer people financial aid for brand-name drugs. They provide the aid to both the uninsured and to people with health coverage, particularly those who are struggling to afford their share of expensive specialty medications. (Feder Ostrov and Terhune, 6/9)