NEWS
Debate Over Whether Biologics Constitute Natural Monopolies Continues
“Peter B. Bach, MD, a well-known critic of high drug prices, along with Jennifer A. Ohn, MPH, Preston Atteberry, MD, and Mark Trusheim, MSc, first wrote in April that biosimilar competition is an economically inefficient way to achieve the goal of lower prices; the biosimilar environment is different than the one that exists in the generic marketplace for small-molecule drugs. These authors said, instead, that biosimilars are natural monopolies and as such need price regulation in order for them to succeed and for prices to come down.”
MGA’s Alex Brill on CNBC’s Squawk Box
“I think its a solid [GDP] number. Obviously the inventory piece creates a little bit of volatility and the investment numbers are a disappointment, but not a surprise. Overall we see a strong consumers. On the Fed, I would agree with Austin. What the Fed has to do now more than ever is try to block out the political noise, focus on the data and make the best call to boost their credibility or sustain their credibility.”
Conservative Thinkers Share Their Views for Biosimilars in a Post-ACA, BPCIA Landscape
“Would legislators take the opportunity to redo some parts of the BPCIA, if they had the chance? Both [Alex] Brill and Hayes said while that, too, is theoretically possible—such as shortening the period of patent exclusivity or changing other aspects of the patent dance—the danger is that it would then get stuck in the quagmire of politics.”
Shortened Exclusivity Could Save $31B
“Brand-name medicines’ market exclusivity periods have climbed an average of 2.2 years since the mid-1990s, steadily delaying the market arrival of generic rivals. Reversing that trend alone could save the U.S. health care system roughly $31.7 billion, according to a Matrix report commissioned by the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs, a group of insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and large employers.”
MGA’s Alex Brill on CNBC’s Squawk Box
Today, Brill discusses President Trump’s potential appointment options for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Biologics are Not Natural Monopolies
Recently, several physicians and health policy analysts took to the Health Affairs blog to propose what was, to anyone who has been following biosimilars for the last decade or more, a surprising and concerning idea: that biosimilars should be abandoned.
2018 Charitable Giving Dips, as Predicted
A Giving USA report released last week shows that US households’ charitable donations in 2018 experienced the largest decline since the Great Recession. We hate to say we told you so, but we told you so.
MGA’s Alex Brill on CNBC’s Squawk Box
Watch Brill’s latest news clip from his CNBC interview where he discusses raising tax rates on the rich.
If Trump Country Soars, Will the President Glide to a Second Term?
“He (Alex Brill) found that 10 states — many of them with large rural populations — broke records in 2019 by hitting their lowest unemployment rates in history: Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin.”
MGA’s Paper on State Opioid Taxes is Referenced on The WasteWatcher blog
“Matrix Global Advisors pointed out where the focus on fighting opioids needs to be. Approximately 36 percent of people that are misusing painkillers get their drugs from doctors.”
Healthcare Pubs Cite MGA Analysis of Proposed Rule to Restrict Drug Rebates
This week, two healthcare publications referenced MGA’s recent report concerning the HHS OIG proposed rule to restrict drug manufacturer rebates to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
New MGA Analysis Highlights Problems with Proposal to Restrict Drug Manufacturer Rebates
This MGA analysis details concerns with a proposed rule from the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General that would restrict drug manufacturer rebates to pharmacy benefit managers in Medicare Part D and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. Not only does the propose rule lack evidence, but it is poorly targeted to achieve its stated goals. I
MGA’s Alex Brill on CNBC’s Squawk Box
The fourth quarter economic reports show less growth than expected. Brill shares his opinion that “things are slowing a little bit around the world and its a little bit of a timing effect between the seasonal issues that we know and the shutdown issues as well.”
Action on Climate Change Should Not Include Creation of New Entitlements
Over the last two years, the United States has scaled back Obama-era climate change policies, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and rolling back climate-related regulations. But it has not pursued alternative ways to address the risk climate change poses to our environment and our economy.
Carbon Tax Most Efficient in Tackling Climate Change
It is encouraging to see more and more fellow Republicans shed the reflexive skepticism about climate change that has characterized the GOP for years. Now, Republicans need to offer solutions.