STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Congress punts PBM reform, another obesity drug and more
BioMarin Pharmaceutical received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice seeking information about the sponsored testing programs.
Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. Sadly, gray skies are hovering over the Pharmalot campus again, but our spirits remain sunny, nonetheless. Why? We recall a bit of insight from the Morning Mayor, who taught us that “Every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” To celebrate the notion, we are brewing still more cups of stimulation and invite you to join us. Our choice today is maple bourbon. Remember, a prescription is not required. So no need to mess with rebates. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a meaningful and productive day and, of course, do stay in touch…
Congress has abandoned its attempt to reform how pharmacy middlemen operate in an upcoming package to fund the federal government, STAT reports. The decision is a missed opportunity to pass one of the health care priorities that has attracted the most bipartisan interest and activity this Congress, though lawmakers could revive the negotiations on the issues in the future. Reforming how pharmacy benefit managers operate has been a top lobbying priority for the pharmaceutical industry since Democrats passed a major package aimed at lowering the costs of medicines in 2022. Drug makers and pharmacy benefit managers have fought a very public battle on the airwaves.
An obesity medication from Viking Therapeutics succeeded in a Phase 2 clinical study, helping patients lose up to nearly 15% of their weight over about three months and further fueling the competition in the exploding obesity drug market, STAT tells us. The trial tested four different weekly injectable doses of the Viking drug over 13 weeks, with patients seeing a dose-dependent amount of weight loss over the period. Those on the highest dose — 15 milligrams — lost 14.7% of weight. Participants who received the study drug also lost a significant amount of weight compared to people who received a placebo, reaching 13.1% in the high-dose group.
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