We’re reading about Zepbound pricing caveats, PBM testimony

Rise and shine, everybody, one other busy day is on the way in which. We will inform as a result of the official mascots are barking at an unusually excessive variety of doggies strolling alongside the Pharmalot campus this morning and the variety of motor vehicles driving by. And we try to maintain tempo. To take action, sure, we’re firing up the espresso kettle to brew one other cup of stimulation. Our newest selection is hazelnut mocha. Please be at liberty to hitch us. In the meantime, right here is the newest menu of tidbits so that you can peruse. On that be aware, we hope you may have a smashing day and conquer the world. …

Eli Lilly garnered widespread reward for launching discounted variations of its blockbuster weight problems drug Zepbound, however a deeper take a look at the announcement suggests the brand new providing might not develop entry as a lot as the corporate signifies, STAT explains. Medical doctors famous that the worth of the vials will nonetheless be out of attain for a lot of sufferers, and solely the starter doses might be supplied within the vials, not the upper doses that many sufferers want to realize important weight reduction. Moreover, not all sufferers will be capable of choose up vials; they are going to solely be accessible to sufferers who’re paying for their very own treatment with out insurance coverage and who solely order by Lilly’s on-line portal. Whereas the discounted value of the brand new vials is an efficient step, Lilly’s actions, taken collectively, sign its main curiosity is in increasing its market share and reaching sufferers it beforehand couldn’t.

The chairman of a U.S. congressional panel investigating pharmacy profit managers accused prime business executives of creating false statements in testimony final month, Bloomberg Legislation reviews. Home Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, wrote to executives at CVS Well being, UnitedHealth, and Cigna asking them to appropriate remarks they made throughout a July listening to. Throughout the listening to, the PBM executives mentioned that they don’t steer sufferers to their very own pharmacies or pay them extra favorable charges. Comer mentioned these statements contradicted proof unearthed by his personal committee and the U.S. Federal Commerce Fee, which is independently investigating drug middlemen.