Sanofi handed payers nearly $12B in drug rebates last year

That's why, despite increasing the U.S. list price on 35 of its 76 prescription drugs, the French pharma reported an average net price decline of 8% in 2018.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 21, 2019

Mylan launches Advair generic at 70% discount

While a long time coming, Mylan's copycat version now looks set to take a bite out of GSK's respiratory drug sales.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Feb. 13, 2019

Regeneron, Sanofi cut PCSK9 list price, matching earlier move by rival Amgen

The drugmakers will make Praluent available for 60% less than the cholesterol drug's original price, a decision reflective of persistent commercial hurdles.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Feb. 11, 2019

Vertex fears its triplet will also face UK reimbursement battle

U.K. regulators have already been in contentious battles with the biotech over its two-drug regimens for cystic fibrosis.

By Jacob Bell • Feb. 6, 2019

Pharma CEOs to testify in Senate drug pricing hearing

The heads of AbbVie and AstraZeneca, as well as J&J's pharma chief, all now plan to appear, joining their peers at what figures to be a high-profile event. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Updated Feb. 11, 2019

Key Senate committee pressures 7 big pharmas to testify

Pfizer, J&J and AbbVie are among the major drugmakers invited by Senate Finance to discuss drug pricing at a hearing set for Feb. 26.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Updated Feb. 5, 2019

In hiking prices, drugmakers show some signs of tempering increases

Analysts at Raymond James found pharma price increases last month to be somewhat smaller than in January 2018 — evidence, perhaps, of some newfound restraint.

By Andrew Dunn • Feb. 4, 2019

Trump administration proposal takes aim at drug rebates

Billed by government officials as a sweeping reform, the plan aims to do away with price reductions paid by drugmakers to PBMs and insurers in Medicare.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 31, 2019

Pfizer, Novartis, Amgen add to 2019 drug price hikes

Prices were increased on major products including Novartis' Cosentyx, Pfizer's Xeljanz and Amgen's Enbrel.

By Andrew Dunn • Jan. 25, 2019

Senate Dems again targeting tax deductions for DTC drug ads

While the proposal has been put forward before, the Trump administration's plan to require drugmakers put prices in ads could give fresh momentum for such ideas.

By Jacob Bell • Jan. 23, 2019

Rising insulin prices drive jump in diabetes treatment costs: report

Higher insulin spending accounted for nearly half of a $6,000 jump in per-person spending for Type 1 diabetes care between 2012 and 2016.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 23, 2019

Walgreens pays $270M to settle Medicaid fraud allegations

For years, the U.S. government alleges, the pharmacy giant routinely submitted false data to improperly secure federal reimbursement for insulin pens not needed by patients.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Jan. 23, 2019

J&J sales forecast disappoints as generic, pricing headwinds rise

Still, the pharma predicts finding a path to growth in 2019, counting on drugs like Stelara, Darzalex and Tremfya. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 22, 2019

Sandoz launches EpiPen rival at $250 per two-pack

The much-delayed launch has been a boost for originator Adamis Pharmaceuticals and provides a new competitor to the beleaguered EpiPen.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Jan. 18, 2019

7 biopharma trends to watch in 2019

Intensifying political pressure, surging cancer drug investment and the rise of pharma chief digital officers are among the factors which look set to shape the industry's next 12 months.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Jan. 17, 2019

Hospital drug spend spiked 19% from 2015-17, coalition says

The report, sponsored by hospital and pharmacy groups, is the latest attack in an ongoing battle over who should hold blame for high healthcare costs.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 16, 2019

Congressional investigation targets Pfizer, Novartis and J&J, among others

The new House Oversight chairman has asked 12 pharmas for pricing info on 18 top drugs, as Congress prepares to further scrutinize the industry.

By Andrew Dunn • Jan. 15, 2019

Louisiana launching 'Netflix model' in Medicaid for hep C drugs

The state is looking for a pharmaceutical partner on a project that will cap state spending for the expensive liver disease treatments.

By Les Masterson • Jan. 14, 2019

The winners and losers from JPM 2019

A $8 billion buyout helped lift cancer biotechs, while prospects for fresh dealmaking underpinned a noticeably optimistic J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

By Ned Pagliarulo , Jacob Bell • Jan. 11, 2019

NICE turns down Novartis' Aimovig, flagging clinical trial concerns

The most clinically important patients were excluded from studies, the reviewing committee concluded in its draft decision to not recommend U.K. coverage of the migraine drug.

By Andrew Dunn • Jan. 11, 2019

J&J raises prices as Dems introduce bills aimed at lowering drug costs

Drug pricing reform has bipartisan support, but that hasn't stopped pharma from enacting hikes — in part because such moves have been vital to growth.

By Jacob Bell • Jan. 11, 2019

Grassley to zoom in on drug pricing, insurance mergers as Senate panel chair

The new Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee laid out his agenda, including allowing cheaper drug imports from Canada.

By David Lim • Jan. 10, 2019

Patient visibility into out-of-pocket prescription costs takes on added importance in January

Now is the time for BioPharma companies to put plans in place to meet the challenges associated with price transparency.

Jan. 10, 2019

As pharmas revert to regular price hikes, Azar threatens action with 'fighting words'

The Health and Human Services Secretary praised Merck & Co., Gilead Sciences and Amgen by name Wednesday on Twitter before declaring the industry "must stop" raising list prices.

By Andrew Dunn • Jan. 9, 2019

Bluebird proposes installment plan for LentiGlobin gene therapy

The biotech company would receive further payments only if LentiGlobin keeps working, according to a payment idea the company rolled out Tuesday.

By Kristin Jensen • Jan. 9, 2019