Industry experts are grappling with the challenge of how to prioritize investment in vaccine development for future pandemic risks while also incentivizing development of vaccines for existing health problems like neglected tropical diseases. “One of the big issues is how do you balance the needs of pandemic threats . . . . and chronic and debilitating neglected diseases that are clearly a problem,” Peter Hotez, director of the Center for Global Health and Diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, said...

Colorado pharmacies are concerned they may not receive adequate reimbursement after the state’s prescription drug affordability board (PDAB) determines an upper payment limit (UPL) for drugs it deems unaffordable, and a pharmacy group says it has unanswered questions about the process. Eyes are on Colorado’s PDAB as it is the first state in the nation to consider setting a UPL on a drug. The board is currently considering whether to set an upper payment limit on Amgen’s drug Enbrel, used...

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (SD) told hospitals to expect that Congress will include several health care policies in a legislative package during the post-election lame duck session, likely containing provisions that address physician payments, reform pharmacy benefit managers and extend telehealth flexibilities. Thune (R-SD), who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, added during the American Hospital Association’s membership meeting on Tuesday (April 16) the next legislative package might also touch on the 340B program and extend health programs set...

House Budget Committee Health Care Task Force Chair Michael Burgess (R-TX) is advocating a new value-based “warranty” payment approach for costly cell and gene therapies under which the therapy’s high upfront cost would essentially be mortgaged across payers as patients switch plans in subsequent years. The therapy’s initial high cost and the resulting long-term benefits would be shared across plans, but the drug maker would be on the hook to refund the cost if the therapy doesn’t work. Burgess highlights...