Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. Once again, our to-do list is growing rapidly as we decide what to do first. No doubt, you may relate to this quandary. So please join us as we cope with another cup of stimulation that is brewing in our shiny, new coffee kettle and get to work. And of course, here are some items of interest. We hope you conquer the world today and, as always, do keep in touch.
New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has issued subpoenas to 16 health insurers for allegedly restricting coverage of hepatitis C treatments, The Wall Street Journal reports. The investigation comes after consumers sued insurers in California and Washington over the issue. Last November, the Obama administration wrote state Medicaid programs that they may be violating federal law by restricting access to hepatitis C medicines.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals says that Deb Jorn, an executive vice president and company group chairman, resigned for personal reasons. She oversaw the dermatology and gastrointestinal products, which are key areas and represent about half of forecast US revenues this year. The move comes a few days after Valeant confirmed securities regulators are probing its relationship with the Philidor Rx specialty pharmacy. In a statement, Valeant says her departure is not related to actions taken by an ad hoc board committee reviewing business practices.
Studies that Novo Nordisk ran to win preferred coverage for its new Tresiba insulin failed to convince Express Scripts, the largest US pharmacy benefits manager, Bloomberg News reports. Instead, the PBM designated Tresiba as a “non-preferred” option, which means patients will have to make a higher co-payment for other insulins, including the Sanofi’s Lantus.
Donald Trump would allow Americans to import prescription drugs from overseas as one part of his plan to lower health care costs, STAT reports. “Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable, and cheaper products,” the plan says. “Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America.”
McKesson, the big pharmaceutical wholesaler, agreed to pay $3 billion to buy the Rexall drugstore chain based in Canada, The Globe and Mail tells us.
French regulators issued a non-compliance statement to China’s Dongying Tiandong Pharmaceutical over its heparin production, which means the company cannot be named on any marketing authorizations, Regulatory Focus says.
The imposition of excise taxes on some drugs sparked a protest from the National Human Rights Commission against the Indian Union Ministries of Finance and Health, The Economic Times writes.
The UK’s National Institute for Health Research plans to study whether the Xolair asthma treatment sold by Novartis could be better targeted towards patients most likely to benefit from the drug, Pharma Times says.
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