STAT+: Pharmalittle: Biogen Alzheimer’s drug will cost Medicare how much? Intellia data suggest a first for genome editing
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was restful and invigorating, because that predictable routine of calls, deadlines and the like have, of course, returned. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, keeps spinning. On that note, we are reaching for another cup of stimulation — butter pecan is the choice so far — and digging in for a busy day. No doubt, you can relate. So here are a few tidbits to help you along. Hope all goes well today and you earn your stripes. Meanwhile, keep in touch. …
The Food and Drug Administration decision to grant wide-ranging approval to the controversial, pricey new Alzheimer’s drug will have an eye-popping impact on Medicare finances. The question is exactly how big the impact will be, STAT ponders, and suggests the cost would be $33.5 billion if the Biogen (BIIB) drug is given to 10% of Medicare beneficiaries. “Medicare can’t afford to treat this as business as usual,” Andy Slavitt, a former Medicare acting administrator and Biden administration senior adviser, tells The Wall Street Journal.
