Pharma May Dodge Spending Cuts In GOP Obamacare Repeal Plan
The leaked Republican plan to repeal and replace the health law doesn't include other cost savings aimed at pharmaceutical companies either. Elsewhere, President Donald Trump says the Food and Drug Administration is slow to approve new drugs, but it is actually faster than ever. And, a drug distributor merges with a health care analytics firm.
Stat:
Hidden Good News For Pharma In The Leaked Republican Health Care Plan
Unless Republicans abruptly change course in their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, it appears the drug industry will dodge one of its most-feared bullets in health reform. The House GOP plan that leaked last week did not include pharma-focused offsets — spending cuts or other cost savings — to pay for itself. Perhaps the biggest risk in this debate for drug makers, as STAT reported in December, had been the specter of any offsets targeting them. (Scott, 3/2)
The Washington Post:
Trump Calls The FDA ‘Slow And Burdensome,’ But It’s Faster Than Ever
Two days before Christmas, the Food and Drug Administration gave Thomas Crawford an unexpected gift: approval of the first treatment ever for a devastating genetic disease that causes muscle wasting in babies and often results in death at an early age. The drug “is nothing short of oh-my-God amazing” when given to infants who have not yet had symptoms, said Crawford, a Johns Hopkins pediatric neurologist who was involved in the clinical trials for the drug for spinal muscular atrophy. (McGinley, 3/2)
Modern Healthcare:
McKesson And Change Healthcare Complete Tech Merger
Drug distributor McKesson's technology business has officially merged with Change Healthcare, a revenue cycle and analytics firm.The two companies announced the closing of the multi-billion-dollar deal Thursday before the market opened. The new company will be called Change Healthcare, combining nearly all of Nashville-based Change's business with the majority of San Francisco-based McKesson's technology business. McKesson owns 70% of the combined company, with the remainder being held by Change stockholders, including investment firms Blackstone and Hellman & Friedman. But McKesson has said that it plans to sell its share in the company soon after the firm completes an initial public offering, which is expected in the next 18 months. (Rubenfire, 3/2)