Category: Pharmalot
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic shots could be made for as little as $3 a month, analysis finds
STAT+: Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic shots could be made for as little as $3 a month, analysis finds Generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster Wegovy and Ozempic medications could be mass produced for about $3 per person per month, a cost that could greatly widen access in low- and middle-income countries, according to a…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Moderna’s $2.25 billion settlement, FDA warning letters, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Moderna’s $2.25 billion settlement, FDA warning letters, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the middle of the week. Congratulations on making it this far, and remember there are only a few more days until the weekend arrives. So keep plugging away. After all, what are the alternatives? While…
-
STAT+: Virginia lawmakers push a new approach to a prescription drug affordability board
STAT+: Virginia lawmakers push a new approach to a prescription drug affordability board As more states look to contain the cost of prescription drugs, Virginia lawmakers are pushing an affordability board that they believe will go further than similar efforts attempted by other states. At the heart of the approach is a plan to use…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s MFN deals, 340B program controversies, and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s MFN deals, 340B program controversies, and much more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has predictably returned. You knew this would happen, though, so being a little…
-
STAT+: Minnesota report shows large hospitals continue to dominate the 340B drug discount program
STAT+: Minnesota report shows large hospitals continue to dominate the 340B drug discount program Minnesota hospitals and clinics participating in a controversial U.S. drug discount program reaped at least $1.34 billion in revenue in 2024, and the largest institutions were the biggest beneficiaries, according to a report from the state Department of Health. Specifically, hospitals…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Justice Department backs AbbVie in its bid to overturn a Colorado law guiding a drug discount program
STAT+: Justice Department backs AbbVie in its bid to overturn a Colorado law guiding a drug discount program The Department of Justice is backing AbbVie in its battle to overturn a Colorado law that prohibits pharmaceutical companies from placing restrictions on a controversial federal drug discount program. Created more than 30 years ago, the 340B…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an FDA plan for ultra-rare drugs, Novo cutting GLP-1 drug prices, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an FDA plan for ultra-rare drugs, Novo cutting GLP-1 drug prices, and more Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. And it is getting off to a good start here on the Pharmalot campus, where we have clear blue skies and chilly breezes greeting us today.…
-
STAT+: Bayer sues J&J over ‘false and misleading claims’ about competing prostate cancer treatments
STAT+: Bayer sues J&J over ‘false and misleading claims’ about competing prostate cancer treatments Underscoring the high-stakes market for prostate cancer medicines, Bayer filed a lawsuit accusing Johnson & Johnson of launching a “false advertising campaign” that uses flawed data to wrongfully promote its rival drug as a more effective treatment. At issue are claims…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an FDA official’s speech, a Grail cancer blood test, and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an FDA official’s speech, a Grail cancer blood test, and much more 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 still shaping up as we…
-
STAT+: New FDA guidance for antibiotic use in food-producing animals prompts criticism over antibiotic resistance
STAT+: New FDA guidance for antibiotic use in food-producing animals prompts criticism over antibiotic resistance In a bid to mitigate antibiotic resistance, the Food and Drug Administration has released guidance for drugmakers to define how long medically important antibiotics should be used in food-producing animals. But critics argue the effort fails to consider the impact…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Trump administration is urged to use a federal law to authorize generic versions of GLP-1 drugs
STAT+: Trump administration is urged to use a federal law to authorize generic versions of GLP-1 drugs Public Citizen petitioned the Trump administration to use a federal law to authorize generic competitors for GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity and diabetes, arguing that prices are “unjustifiably high” for too many Americans. In arguing its case, the…
-
STAT+: NIH redefines ‘clinical trials,’ dividing researchers
STAT+: NIH redefines ‘clinical trials,’ dividing researchers In a long-debated move, the National Institutes of Health will no longer characterize basic experimental studies involving humans as clinical trials, a step that was cheered by many researchers, but is also raising transparency concerns because the work will no longer have to be registered with — or…
-
STAT+: Merck is urged by patient groups to ensure widespread access to an HIV prevention pill being tested
STAT+: Merck is urged by patient groups to ensure widespread access to an HIV prevention pill being tested In a preemptive move, more than 170 patient advocacy groups from 30 countries are urging Merck to create a global access strategy for an HIV prevention pill, which is still being studied in clinical trials. A key,…
-
STAT+: FDA warned a Hims & Hers compounder after finding bugs and failing to report a serious side effect
STAT+: FDA warned a Hims & Hers compounder after finding bugs and failing to report a serious side effect The Food and Drug Administration late last year issued a warning letter to MedisourceRx, a compounding pharmacy owned by Hims & Hers, six months after a facility was cited for troubling problems during an inspection. One…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Novo Nordisk suing Hims & Hers, deals by Lilly and Takeda, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Novo Nordisk suing Hims & Hers, deals by Lilly and Takeda, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. You knew this would…
-
STAT+: HHS asks Justice Department to probe Hims & Hers over its cheaper compounded version of Wegovy
STAT+: HHS asks Justice Department to probe Hims & Hers over its cheaper compounded version of Wegovy The Department of Health and Human Services asked the Department of Justice to investigate Hims & Hers for potentially violating federal law over its plan to make a compounded version of a low-cost weight loss pill widely available…
-
STAT+: Novo Nordisk accuses Hims & Hers of ‘illegal mass compounding’ over a cheaper version of Wegovy pill
STAT+: Novo Nordisk accuses Hims & Hers of ‘illegal mass compounding’ over a cheaper version of Wegovy pill In an unexpected move, Hims & Hers is making available a cheaper, compounded version of the Wegovy weight loss pill sold by Novo Nordisk, prompting the drugmaker to accuse the telehealth platform of “illegal mass compounding.” In…
-
STAT+: FTC settles lawsuit with Express Scripts over charges it manipulated insulin prices, impeded access
STAT+: FTC settles lawsuit with Express Scripts over charges it manipulated insulin prices, impeded access The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it had settled a lawsuit against Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S., over allegations that the company artificially inflated the price of insulin and impeded access to…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about TrumpRx questions, drugmakers lowering some prices, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about TrumpRx questions, drugmakers lowering some prices, and more And so, another working week will soon come to an end. This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is rather modest. Other than enjoying a symphony, we plan to sharpen our shovels and dig…
-
STAT+: Hospital group wants Trump administration to block a new Lilly policy on 340B claims data
STAT+: Hospital group wants Trump administration to block a new Lilly policy on 340B claims data The American Hospital Association is asking the Trump administration to stop Eli Lilly from enacting a new policy that would require all hospitals that participate in a federal drug discount program to submit comprehensive claims data, the first time…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: The number of new drug shortages in U.S. hits lowest level in 20 years, but myriad problems remain
STAT+: The number of new drug shortages in U.S. hits lowest level in 20 years, but myriad problems remain The number of ongoing prescription drug shortages rose slightly in the last quarter of 2025, but remained significantly lower than the all-time high reached in the beginning of 2024. Moreover, the number of new shortages identified…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Supreme Court agrees to review ‘skinny labeling’ and generic drug access
STAT+: Supreme Court agrees to review ‘skinny labeling’ and generic drug access The Supreme Court has agreed to review a controversy over so-called skinny labels for medicines, a decision that will be closely watched for its implications for the availability of generic medicines. Skinny labeling refers to moves by generic companies that seek regulatory approval…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA voucher worries, weight loss drugs and jet fuel, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA voucher worries, weight loss drugs and jet fuel, and more 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 still shaping up as we weigh…
-
STAT+: Former Emergent BioSolutions CEO sued for insider trading, company reaches $900K settlement in N.Y.
STAT+: Former Emergent BioSolutions CEO sued for insider trading, company reaches $900K settlement in N.Y. The former chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions was accused of insider trading by the New York attorney general in connection with a contract the company had to manufacture a Covid-19 vaccine for AstraZeneca. Robert Kramer allegedly sold more than…
-
STAT+: Trump administration indicates it will drop appeal of a court order blocking a 340B pilot program
STAT+: Trump administration indicates it will drop appeal of a court order blocking a 340B pilot program The Trump administration has signaled plans to drop its appeal of a court order that blocked a pilot program from changing payment terms for a controversial federal drug discount program. In a Monday court document, the Department of…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a potential Merck purchase, a J&J pricing deal with Trump, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a potential Merck purchase, a J&J pricing deal with Trump, and more 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…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about the U.S. launch of a Wegovy pill, a Chinese biotech incubator, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about the U.S. launch of a Wegovy pill, a Chinese biotech incubator, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We have returned from an extended break, which perhaps many of you enjoyed as well. In any event, we hope that any down time was relaxing and invigorating,…
-
STAT+: FDA approves brain tumor warning on Depo-Provera label as court battle grows over side effects
STAT+: FDA approves brain tumor warning on Depo-Provera label as court battle grows over side effects The Food and Drug Administration has approved a change to the labeling for a Pfizer birth control shot that warns patients of the risk of meningioma, a tumor in the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal…
-
STAT+: Meta is urged by state attorneys general to boost enforcement of weight loss drug advertising
STAT+: Meta is urged by state attorneys general to boost enforcement of weight loss drug advertising More than three dozen state attorneys general are urging Meta to better enforce its policies to thwart a “surge of misleading” pharmaceutical and wellness ads for weight loss drugs on Instagram and Facebook. And the state officials also want…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about obesity drug lawsuits, Ramaswamy’s latest startup, and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about obesity drug lawsuits, Ramaswamy’s latest startup, and much more Rise and shine, another busy day is on the way. We can tell because the official mascots got an early start chasing down cats, squirrels, and other creatures darting about the Pharmalot campus. And then there is the noisy parade of…
-
STAT+: As superbug fears grow, sales of antibiotics used in food-producing livestock rose dramatically last year
STAT+: As superbug fears grow, sales of antibiotics used in food-producing livestock rose dramatically last year Amid fears of superbugs, the sale of medically important antibiotics given to food-producing livestock rose by 16% overall in the U.S. in 2024 from the year before, an increase that prompted advocates to complain that not enough is being…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Solicitor general urges Supreme Court to review ‘skinny labeling’ and generic drug access
STAT+: Solicitor general urges Supreme Court to review ‘skinny labeling’ and generic drug access In a closely watched case, the U.S. solicitor general has urged the Supreme Court to review a controversy over so-called skinny labels for medicines, arguing that an appeals court finding threatens the availability of lower-cost generic drugs. Skinny labeling refers to…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Top contributors to leading psychiatry journals fail to disclose industry payments, analysis finds
STAT+: Top contributors to leading psychiatry journals fail to disclose industry payments, analysis finds Amid ongoing concern over conflicts of interest that may affect medical practice, a new study found that 14% of the $4.5 million paid to authors in two leading psychiatry journals was undisclosed and nearly all of the payments were made to…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare-negotiated drug prices, an FDA voucher program, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare-negotiated drug prices, an FDA voucher program, and more Happy Thanksgiving Eve, Pharmalittle readers. This is Allison, filling in for Mr. Pharmalot. I recently hosted a mini Thanksgiving dinner for friends, and was stumped trying to pick music to play in the background. Why aren’t there any real Thanksgiving songs?…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Novo next-gen diabetes drug, a Novartis gene therapy, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Novo next-gen diabetes drug, a Novartis gene therapy, and more Hello there and happy Tuesday from STAT’s London outpost, with Andrew Joseph here filling in for Mr. Pharmalot for the day. While it feels like things are slowing down stateside ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, this place is busy…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Texas suit over Plavix labeling, Novo drugs and vision loss, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Texas suit over Plavix labeling, Novo drugs and vision loss, and more 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 still shaping up, but…
-
STAT+: South Africa is urged by advocates to issue a compulsory license for Gilead’s HIV prevention drug
STAT+: South Africa is urged by advocates to issue a compulsory license for Gilead’s HIV prevention drug Patient advocacy groups have urged the South African government to issue a compulsory license for a groundbreaking HIV prevention treatment after the Trump administration refused to include South Africa in a new program to distribute the drug to…
-
STAT+: Pfizer and Tris agree to $41.5 million settlement with Texas over ADHD drug for children
STAT+: Pfizer and Tris agree to $41.5 million settlement with Texas over ADHD drug for children Pfizer and Tris Pharma have agreed to pay $41.5 million to settle allegations by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that they provided an ADHD medicine to children on Medicaid while knowing about “flawed” manufacturing practices. The companies were accused…
-
STAT+: Many poor countries where experimental drugs are tested fail to benefit after approval, analysis finds
STAT+: Many poor countries where experimental drugs are tested fail to benefit after approval, analysis finds Numerous medicines are not accessible in many of the countries where they were tested before approval by the Food and Drug Administration, raising concerns about whether pharmaceutical companies are adhering to ethical standards, a new study finds. The researchers reviewed 172…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Trump deal with Lilly and Novo, fewer U.S. generic drug plants, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Trump deal with Lilly and Novo, fewer U.S. generic drug plants, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the middle of the week. Congratulations on making it this far, and remember there are only a few more days until the weekend arrives. So keep plugging away. After all,…
-
STAT+: FTC raises concern about Novo Nordisk attempt to acquire obesity startup Metsera
STAT+: FTC raises concern about Novo Nordisk attempt to acquire obesity startup Metsera The Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns about Novo Nordisk’s attempt to outbid Pfizer to acquire obesity startup Metsera, the latest complication in a dramatic bidding war between two pharma giants. Companies normally have to seek FTC review for acquisitions under a…
-
STAT+: Novo Nordisk spent millions on weight loss searches that took people to its Ozempic website, analysis found
STAT+: Novo Nordisk spent millions on weight loss searches that took people to its Ozempic website, analysis found Over a recent two-year period, Novo Nordisk spent an estimated $7.5 million on more than 15,000 paid keywords related to weight loss searches and generated more than 2.4 million visits to Ozempic.com, even though the medicine is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about feuds at FDA’s CBER, an antibiotic warning in Europe, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about feuds at FDA’s CBER, an antibiotic warning in Europe, and more 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 still coming into focus, but we…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a bidding war for Metsera, HHS plans for speeding biosimilars, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a bidding war for Metsera, HHS plans for speeding biosimilars, and more Hello, everyone, and how are you today? We are just fine, thank you, despite the steady rain drenching the sleepy Pharmalot campus. Our spirits remain sunny thanks, in part, to sage advice from the Morning Mayor: “Every new…
-
STAT+: Bausch Health leaves Medicaid and 340B programs as drugmakers face changing calculus on pricing
STAT+: Bausch Health leaves Medicaid and 340B programs as drugmakers face changing calculus on pricing In an unexpected move, Bausch Health recently stopped participating in Medicaid and a federal government drug discount scheme known as 340B, a step that suggests more drugmakers may rethink decisions to provide their medicines to these widely used programs. Bausch…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a GSK drug’s comeback, a buyer’s club for a Vertex drug, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a GSK drug’s comeback, a buyer’s club for a Vertex drug, and more 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 still shaping up, but…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Moderna setback, CVS playing hardball with Gilead, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Moderna setback, CVS playing hardball with Gilead, and more Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Blue skies and comfortable breezes are enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are dozing after chasing varmints. As for us, we are engaged in the usual…
-
STAT+: CVS Caremark tells AIDS activists Gilead needs to lower the price of its new HIV drug to get on formularies
STAT+: CVS Caremark tells AIDS activists Gilead needs to lower the price of its new HIV drug to get on formularies For the past three months, CVS Caremark has resisted adding a new Gilead Sciences HIV prevention drug to its formularies, repeatedly explaining there are “clinical, financial, and regulatory considerations” that must be reviewed before…
-
STAT+: Gilead agrees not to raise prices on HIV medicines for state AIDS drug programs
STAT+: Gilead agrees not to raise prices on HIV medicines for state AIDS drug programs After months of tense negotiations, Gilead Sciences has agreed not to boost prices next year for HIV medicines that are sold to state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, an outcome that lessens the financial strains for agencies that are relied on…
-
STAT+: CBO says revised cost of orphan drug exemptions will add $3.9 billion to Medicare
STAT+: CBO says revised cost of orphan drug exemptions will add $3.9 billion to Medicare The Congressional Budget Office has revised its forecast showing the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will cost taxpayers as much as $8.8 billion — up from earlier estimates of $4.9 billion — over 10 years thanks to provisions…
-
STAT+: FDA review of drugs is slowing while application delays are growing, analysis finds
STAT+: FDA review of drugs is slowing while application delays are growing, analysis finds The upheaval at the Food and Drug Administration appears to be taking a toll on the pharmaceutical industry, according to a new analysis of key agency metrics. There was a significant drop in drug approvals in the recently ended third quarter,…
-
STAT+: Roche suffers a fresh blow as India’s Supreme Court allows generic sales of its pricey rare disease drug
STAT+: Roche suffers a fresh blow as India’s Supreme Court allows generic sales of its pricey rare disease drug In a case that was billed as profits versus patients, India’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition in which Roche sought to prevent a generic drugmaker from selling a lower-cost version of a pricey rare disease medication.…
-
STAT+: Turkey antitrust regulator fines several big drugmakers for ‘no-poach’ agreements
STAT+: Turkey antitrust regulator fines several big drugmakers for ‘no-poach’ agreements Antitrust regulators in Turkey have fined more than a dozen large pharmaceutical companies — including global drugmakers such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Novartis — for agreeing not to poach employees from one another, a move that disrupted the domestic labor market. The Turkish Competition…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a troubled Novo plant, pressure on the Novavax board, and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a troubled Novo plant, pressure on the Novavax board, and much more Top of the morning to you. Gray skies are hovering overhead right now, but our spirits remain sunny, nonetheless. Why? We will trot out a bit of insight from the Morning Mayor, who would say, “Every new day…
-
STAT+: Canadian lawmakers urge the government to suspend imports of long-tailed macaques
STAT+: Canadian lawmakers urge the government to suspend imports of long-tailed macaques A half-dozen members of the Canadian parliament are urging the government to immediately suspend imports of long-tailed macaques into the country over concerns the monkeys may be infected with tuberculosis and pose a biosecurity risk. In their Oct. 1 letter, the lawmakers cite…
-
STAT+: Roche suffers setback as court allows generic version of its rare disease drug to be sold in India
STAT+: Roche suffers setback as court allows generic version of its rare disease drug to be sold in India In the latest tussle over access to medicines, an Indian court has upheld a ruling that found it would be in the public interest to allow a generic company to sell a lower-cost version of a…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump and BlinkRx conflicts, a setback for Sarepta, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump and BlinkRx conflicts, a setback for Sarepta, and more Hello, everyone, and welcome to the middle of the week. Congratulations on making it this far. It is an accomplishment, after all. The next step is to forge ahead. And why not? Just consider the alternatives. On that optimistic note,…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about the telehealth boom, EU pharma policy and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about the telehealth boom, EU pharma policy and much more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world, such…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about another generic abortion pill, pharma layoffs, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about another generic abortion pill, pharma layoffs, and more 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 still shaping up, but we plan to indulge in…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Colorado board makes first-in-the-nation move by setting a payment limit on an Amgen drug
STAT+: Colorado board makes first-in-the-nation move by setting a payment limit on an Amgen drug In a first-in-the-nation move, a Colorado panel has voted to limit what health plans in the state will pay for a costly arthritis treatment, a step that may encourage other states to pursue similar strategies to contain spending on prescription…
-
STAT+: U.K. is urged to probe drugmakers for conspiring to scrap or halt investments amid pricing disputes
STAT+: U.K. is urged to probe drugmakers for conspiring to scrap or halt investments amid pricing disputes The U.K.’s antitrust regulator has been asked by patient advocacy groups to investigate several large drugmakers and their U.K. lobbying organization for “suspected” and “coordinated” efforts to drive up the prices of medicines. The backdrop to the complaint…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s drug-pricing plans, Medicare talks, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s drug-pricing plans, Medicare talks, and more Top of the morning to you. The middle of the week is upon us and, since you made it this far, why not forge ahead? After all, there is always light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. You never know what you…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a new GSK CEO, AstraZeneca’s stock listing, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a new GSK CEO, AstraZeneca’s stock listing, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings, and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world, such…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s drug pricing plans, pharma tariffs, and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s drug pricing plans, pharma tariffs, and much more 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 still shaping up, but we may rendezvous with…
-
STAT+: Pharmalitte: We’re reading about a Huntington’s gene therapy success, a low-cost HIV drug, and more
STAT+: Pharmalitte: We’re reading about a Huntington’s gene therapy success, a low-cost HIV drug, and more Good morning, this is Allison, substituting for Mr. Pharmalot. We may have three months left in the year, but I’m already starting to think about 2026, thanks to a handful of concert announcements and ticket sales opening up over…
-
STAT+: FDA approves ultra-rare disease drug that became a symbol of uncertainty over regulatory standards
STAT+: FDA approves ultra-rare disease drug that became a symbol of uncertainty over regulatory standards After months of uncertainty, the Food and Drug Administration offered accelerated approval for an ultra-rare disease drug that had become a symbol of the fraught balancing act between upholding regulatory standards and accommodating desperate patients and their families. The agency…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA targeting Hims & Hers, AstraZeneca halting U.K. investment, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA targeting Hims & Hers, AstraZeneca halting U.K. investment, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so-familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings, and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world,…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Dozens of lawmakers urge HHS to abandon a pilot initiative for the controversial 340B program
STAT+: Dozens of lawmakers urge HHS to abandon a pilot initiative for the controversial 340B program More than 160 lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to abandon a newly announced pilot program that would allow pharmaceutical companies to offer rebates for a small number of therapies to hospitals that participate in a federal drug discount…
-
STAT+: An API supplier in India wants you to know its metal detector is working just fine
STAT+: An API supplier in India wants you to know its metal detector is working just fine For those wondering about any metallic particles found in active pharmaceutical ingredients made by a supplier called Hikal, you can rest easy — the company says its metal detector is working again. Since 2020, nearly two dozen complaints…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA and imported GLP-1 drugs, a race to develop sleep meds, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA and imported GLP-1 drugs, a race to develop sleep meds, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings, and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you…
-
STAT+: Patient groups cheer as the WHO adds diabetes and cystic fibrosis drugs to its essential medicines list
STAT+: Patient groups cheer as the WHO adds diabetes and cystic fibrosis drugs to its essential medicines list For the first time, the World Health Organization has added various high-cost treatments for diabetes and cystic fibrosis to its list of essential medicines, a move that patient advocates hope will usher in a new era of…
-
STAT+: Trump administration confirms plan for PEPFAR to distribute Gilead’s new HIV prevention drug
STAT+: Trump administration confirms plan for PEPFAR to distribute Gilead’s new HIV prevention drug After months of uncertainty, the Trump administration confirmed that it will work with Gilead Sciences and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to provide a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug to up to 2 million people in low- and…
-
STAT+: Amneal Pharma is scolded by FDA for using contaminated bags for a sterile injectable drug
STAT+: Amneal Pharma is scolded by FDA for using contaminated bags for a sterile injectable drug In a startling failure of quality control, Amneal Pharmaceuticals relied on contaminated bags for a sterile injectable drug even after identifying the risk and then lowered its standards so that the bags could continue to be used, according to…
-
STAT+: Gilead wants state AIDS drug programs to pay significant price hikes for HIV meds
STAT+: Gilead wants state AIDS drug programs to pay significant price hikes for HIV meds Gilead Sciences, the largest maker of HIV medicines, is seeking to boost prices significantly for several treatments that are widely distributed by state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs. And the move is adding to financial uncertainty for the programs on top…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s post on Covid data, a Merck cholesterol pill, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Trump’s post on Covid data, a Merck cholesterol pill, and more Good morning everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings, and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you do? The…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Lilly and a China tech giant, Cassidy and a CDC vaccine panel, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Lilly and a China tech giant, Cassidy and a CDC vaccine panel, and more 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 still shaping up,…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an AbbVie deal for a psychedelic, Lilly obesity pill trial results, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an AbbVie deal for a psychedelic, Lilly obesity pill trial results, and more Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Clear blue skies and pleasant breezes are wafting across the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are foraging for their breakfast and rousing the neighbors.…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA reporting side effects, pharma plants near disaster zones, and more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA reporting side effects, pharma plants near disaster zones, and more Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings, and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you do? The…
-
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings
STAT+: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us, and we’ll share it with others. That’s right. Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is…
-
STAT+: Major U.S. drug manufacturing plant did not properly investigate cat hair, pests, and other problems, FDA finds
STAT+: Major U.S. drug manufacturing plant did not properly investigate cat hair, pests, and other problems, FDA finds Cat hair, pests, bacteria, and equipment failures. These were among the concerns of a recent regulatory inspection of a key, but historically troubled, manufacturing plant that Novo Nordisk bought last year as part of its parent company’s…
-
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about conflicts on U.S. vaccine panels, pharma DTC sales, and much more
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about conflicts on U.S. vaccine panels, pharma DTC sales, and much more Top of the morning to you, and a fine one it is. Blue skies and unusually cool breezes for this time of year are enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search…