STAT+: Pharmalittle: Pelosi tries last-ditch drug pricing proposal; Merck sees up to $7B in Covid pill sales in 2022
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 rather modest. We expect to hang with one of the short people, promenade with the official mascot, and fortify the Pharmalot campus against the usual assortment of noisy little ghouls and goblins who are scheduled to arrive. It is that time of the year, after all. Before we forget, here is a number to help you get in the mood. And what, exactly, will you be doing? This remains a lovely time to take a spin through the countryside — perhaps the Great Pumpkin will be waiting. You can decide how to vote on Election Day, or convince someone to get vaccinated. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon …
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is working to gather support for a last-ditch proposal to lower prescription drug costs after the White House shunned the issue, STAT writes. The new policy would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices for medications administered by doctors and at pharmacies, after their exclusivity periods granted by U.S. regulators expire. The tentative deal would also penalize drug makers for raising prices faster than inflation in both the employer-sponsored insurance market and Medicare. Seniors would have their out-of-pocket drug costs capped each year.
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