ZorroCard Round Up (9/19/24)

Hey all,

Today's roundup is an exploration of unintended consequences. From pharmaceutical pricing to healthcare algorithms, the original intent has been waylaid by poor execution from regulators, legislators, and technologists. Enjoy the reads!

Jacob

Healthcare Dive (HRSA Threatens J&J With Sanctions For 340B Rebate Plan):

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) warned Johnson & Johnson of potential sanctions if it proceeds with a plan to switch from discounted pricing to rebates for Xarelto and Stelara under the 340B drug discount program. HRSA argues this change would violate federal law by forcing hospitals to pay more than the allowed discount. Both Xarelto and Stelara are subject to Medicare Drug Negotiations and J&J yesterday noted in their transparency report that they paid greater rebates to 340B entities than to Medicare. Full Article.

STAT and Use Codes in FDA Registry:

A STAT analysis found that pharmaceutical companies are increasingly filing multiple use codes in the FDA’s Orange Book, with the total number growing 35% since 2017. These use codes, which describe patent claims for specific drug uses, can delay generic competition by complicating the approval process for rival drugs. This practice may hinder the availability of lower-cost generics, raising concerns about potential abuse of the patent system. Full Article.

Becker’s Hospital Review (Bernie Sanders’ Ozempic Generic Meeting):

At a recent meeting hosted by Senator Bernie Sanders, CEOs of major generic drug companies indicated that they could sell a generic version of Ozempic for under $100, less than 10% of the current brand-name price. This significant reduction could dramatically increase access to the drug for millions of Americans. Sanders’ push for lower prices comes as demand for Ozempic, used for diabetes and weight loss, continues to rise. Full Article.

STAT (Race-Based Algorithms in Medicine):

A STAT investigation revealed that race-based algorithms, which can impact medical decisions, are still widely used across the U.S., despite concerns about their potential to perpetuate bias and inequity in healthcare. While some institutions, like Boston Children’s Hospital, have started removing these factors from clinical tools, many clinicians and researchers are still debating the best ways to eliminate racial bias in medicine. This issue remains controversial, with no standardized enforcement for how race should be considered in medical algorithms. Full Article.