Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? A blazing sun is enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are happily snoozing and the short person has left for the local school house for another day of learning. As for us, we have a long to-do list that requires focus and finesse. In other words, no dawdling allowed. We trust that you can relate. So time to hoist a cup of stimulation and get cracking. Hope you have a smashing day and, as always, do stay in touch …
The U.K. pharmaceutical industry failed to win a judicial review of new cost curbs, which mean drugs costing the National Health Service in England more than $26 million annually will no longer get automatic funding, Reuters reports. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry sought to challenge the additional hurdle to drug use that was implemented by the U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence earlier this year.
Cigna will no longer cover OxyContin prescriptions for its employer-based health plans and will instead favor Xtampza ER, which is also a long-acting version of oxycodone, STAT writes. Under a so-called value-based contract, Collegium Pharmaceuticals is financially accountable if prescribed Xtampza dosages exceed a specific threshold. But it is not clear how this addresses the opioid crisis and, instead, appears to be a cost-cutting tool.
About the Author Reprints
The article “For Sale; A Giant Empty Pill Factory” [Roche] sums up the dismal state of affairs in NJ. In 2014 there was almost a 40% office vacancy rate in life sciences in the state. It will probably be close to 50% by end of decade.