Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Pharmaceutical Industry Ignoring Kennedy and Trump

Maybe there is another way the pharmaceutical industry can be forced to lower pricing. They are ignoring both the president and the HHS secretary orders to lower pricing. The industry as it is . . . is untouchable and impervious to the same threats as what individuals and states (see earlier posts) are facing. In […]

Candidates’ Stances on Healthcare Issues, including Drug Pricing, Medicaid and AI

The article is talking around the issues. The country is calling on former drug company management to assist in taking down an industry giant. It probably will not succeed as many of these experts still have ties to the industry and the companies employing them. Think Azar . . . Pharma companies were using “value-based” […]

Insulin A Drug Pricing Analysis

Money from Sick People Part IV: Paying a Premium for Drug Pricing Irregularity — 46brooklyn Research Starting with the Q1 2023 Drug Pricing file (all of this information was knowable before the 2024 Medicare plan bid process was completed). Within the files are the five insulin products we identified as taking large price decreases. 46 […]

Buprenorphine IV: What about Cocaine and Methamphetamine?

I have been thinking about buprenorphine, naltrexone and the stimulants cocaine and methamphetamine. An issue which came to my mind recently and which I think it worth discussing is that cocaine is often cut and replaced with fentanyl to hide the over-dilution. This is sometimes done sloppily leading to fentanyl overdoses of people who did […]

Medicare’s Discretion to Say No to Unproven Therapies, Medical Devices, and Equipment

If it is not Medicare Advantage plans over-charges tapping into Medicare funds designated for the care of seniors, it is the commercial healthcare companies such as pharma this time and again. The political influence these companies wield with legislators and probably SCOTUS justices (later as companies sue and quickly levitate to a SCOTUS hearing) who […]

Pharma companies use an-all-side attack on the IRA

Pharma’s strike-from-all-sides attack on the IRA could be decided by the Supreme Court, PharmaVoice, Alexandra Pecci Pharma Voice reports Merck & Company and Bristol Myers Squibb in separate lawsuits are filing a multi-directional attack on Biden’s IRA using the first and fifth amendment as the basis for their filing. Industry lobbyists and co-litigants have joined […]

How Pharma Avoids Paying US Taxes

Delightful story on how US pharmaceutical companies shift profits overseas. And US citizens are paying the highest prices globally for lifesaving meds which other countries our paying roughly one third. Pharma is also shifting their profits overseas and minimizing US taxes or tax avoidance. One way to avoid taxes is to move intellectual property to […]

Free Medicine Distribution Impact on Health Care Costs

This is an abbreviated version of a Canadian trial which examines whether eliminating out-of-pocket costs would improve the health of people taking the medications by making drugs less costly. The greater impact was amongst lower income participants who may not take drugs as prescribed to lengthen a refill timetable. The elimination of out-of-pocket medication costs […]

Akorn Pharma calls it quits and closes all US sites

Earlier this year, one company’s closing is adding to national pharmaceutical shortages and capacity in its bankruptcy. The closing can be construed as more than just allowing a laissez-faire economic policy. There are greater healthcare implications for the US. The nation can rescue banks, companies such as AIG, and those gambling with CDS, countering naked […]