Biosimilar makers split strategies in bid to take on top-selling Humira

In challenging AbbVie for share of a $19 billion drug market, competitors are testing whether high upfront discounts or behind-the-scenes rebates can win them an advantage.

By Jonathan Gardner • July 26, 2023

J&J joins pharma allies in challenging US drug pricing law

The pharma claimed in federal court that the Inflation Reduction Act, which threatens sales of its blood thinner Xarelto, amounts to “confiscation of constitutionally protected property.”

By Kristin Jensen • July 19, 2023

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Drug pricing

President Trump’s efforts to install a most-favored nation pricing policy present new risks for an industry already adjusting to Medicare price negotiations.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Pharma’s strike-from-all-sides attack on the IRA could end up at the Supreme Court

Industry lawsuits have taken a ‘multi-pronged’ approach to challenge the Inflation Reduction Act’s price negotiation program on constitutional grounds. 

By Alexandra Pecci • July 6, 2023

Alvotech to raise cash after third FDA rejection for Humira biosimilar

The latest regulatory setback, tied to continuing manufacturing issues, ensures Alvotech and partner Teva won’t be able to launch their drug alongside a wave of emerging Humira copycats.  

By Kristin Jensen • June 29, 2023

Sarepta prices Duchenne gene therapy at $3.2M

The cost makes Sarepta’s treatment among the most expensive medicines in the world. But company executives said they don’t expect significant insurer pushback.

By Ben Fidler • June 22, 2023

AbbVie, Coherus mend dispute over low-price Humira biosimilar

The biosimilar developer’s plans to set steep discounts on its copycat version of AbbVie’s Humira set off a legal back-and-forth between the companies.

By Kristin Jensen • June 15, 2023

Pharmaceutical companies search for IRA response as they brace for drug pricing talks

Lobbying group PhRMA does not expect any near-term changes to the IRA’s drug pricing provisions, but is attempting to lay groundwork for future changes.

By Christopher Newman • June 15, 2023

Medicare sets next tranche of drugs to face price hike penalties

CMS named 43 Part B drugs for which prices rose more than inflation, and which will have lower coinsurance rates next quarter as a result. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 9, 2023

Merck sues to block Medicare negotiation of drug prices

The drugmaker’s lawsuit claims the new pricing powers granted by the Inflation Reduction Act are unconstitutional and “tantamount to extortion.”

By Christopher Newman • Updated June 6, 2023

Coherus sets steep discount for Humira copycat, plans direct sales

The biotech will price its biosimilar Yusimry at 85% below Humira’s list price when it launches next month, and charge even less if bought through Mark Cuban’s pharmacy.

By Christopher Newman • June 1, 2023

House lawmakers, PBM lobby spar over committee hearing

At the latest congressional inquiry into pharmacy benefit managers, lawmakers argued the middlemen profit at the expense of patients and taxpayers.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 25, 2023

AbbVie weathers first months of biosimilar challenge to top-selling Humira

While Humira sales declined, the drop was mostly due to price concessions AbbVie made to secure equal insurer access in the face of copycat competition.

By Ned Pagliarulo • April 28, 2023

CMS removes 7 drugs from list marked for price hike penalties

After revising its calculations, CMS removed Gilead’s cancer cell therapies Yescarta and Tecartus, as well as 5 other medicines, from the first set of drugs subject to rebates under a provision of the IRA.

By Christopher Newman • March 31, 2023

Ohio AG sues Cigna, Humana for alleged PBM price fixing

The state’s Attorney General David Yost called pharmacy benefit managers “modern gangsters,” claiming in a suit filed Monday they shared pricing information and drove up drug prices.

By Hailey Mensik • March 28, 2023

Moderna CEO defends price of COVID shot at Senate hearing

Stéphane Bancel said his company's planned quadrupling of the vaccine’s price covers the higher costs of commercial sales. Sen. Bernie Sanders called it part of industry’s “unprecedented level of corporate greed.”

By Christopher Newman • March 22, 2023

U.S. government again rejects call to seize Xtandi rights

The Biden administration plans to review federal “march-in” rights and consider whether price could be a reason to take control of patents for drugs developed with government funding.

By Jonathan Gardner • March 22, 2023

Sanofi joins other diabetes drugmakers in cutting insulin prices

The pharma is the last of the three major insulin suppliers to reduce U.S. list prices, responding to persistent criticism and policy changes that will affect Medicaid rebate payments.

By Christopher Newman • March 17, 2023

CMS lays out plans for negotiating drug prices

The guidance fills in details for one of the central pharmaceutical provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, signaling how the agency will use its new authority.

By Christopher Newman • March 16, 2023

US names first drugs to face price hike penalty

Gilead’s cancer cell therapies Yescarta and Tecartus were among the slate of 27 drugs singled out by CMS for rebates under a provision of the IRA.

By Christopher Newman • March 15, 2023

Novo Nordisk follows Lilly in sharply cutting insulin prices

Responding to policy changes and pressure over high drug costs, the pharma is reducing the sticker price of four branded diabetes medicines by up to 75%.

By Delilah Alvarado • March 14, 2023

Biden takes fresh aim at drug prices with new budget plan

The proposal, viewed as a “non-starter” by one analyst, seeks to double the number of drugs Medicare can negotiate prices for and open up those talks more quickly.

By Christopher Newman • March 10, 2023

Biden’s plan to extend Medicare solvency targets prescription drugs

The proposal — part of a 2024 budget set to be released Thursday — would further reduce what Medicare pays for prescription drugs and raise taxes on Americans earning over $400,000.

By Rebecca Pifer • March 7, 2023

Harnessing data to improve patient access and optimize gross-to-net

Discover the data and metrics you should be tracking to evaluate patient access.

March 6, 2023

Lilly to lower insulin prices by 70%

The pharma company, along with its diabetes drug rivals Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, has long been under pressure over the high cost of insulin — scrutiny that has recently ramped up in the U.S.

By Jonathan Gardner • March 1, 2023

Harnessing data to improve patient access and optimize gross-to-net

Discover the data and metrics you should be tracking to evaluate patient access.  

Feb. 27, 2023