STAT+: Amgen loses its battle against Colorado over a prescription drug affordability board
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In a blow to the pharmaceutical industry, a U.S. court judge ruled that a Colorado state board can proceed with plans to place limits on the prices paid for medicines, the first such decision to support the controversial attempts by some states to control their prescription drug spending.<\/p>\n
The case had been filed last year<\/a> by Amgen after the state Prescription Drug Affordability Board determined that its big-selling medication called Enbrel is unaffordable and began a process to create a so-called upper payment limit. This would establish a payment ceiling for residents who are covered by a government agency or a commercial health plan.<\/p>\n Amgen, however, argued that the board\u00a0is unconstitutional because its actions conflict with federal law and would regulate business outside of Colorado, among other issues. The company further contended that the board wants to \u201cimpose arbitrary price controls\u201d on the sale of drugs \u2014 an argument taken up by the pharmaceutical industry, at large \u2014 and would also \u201cstrip away\u201d intellectual property rights.<\/p>\n Continue to STAT+ to read the full story\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n