Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We have finally returned from a brief sojourn and look forward to getting back in the usual groove. The task is made easier now that the short people have left for their respective destinations — the local schoolhouse and gainful employment. Of course, nothing can be accomplished without a few cups of stimulation and we are continuing to enjoy butter pecan. Feel free to join us, whatever your preference. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits. Hope you survive the middle of the week …
Four national organizations representing hospitals sued the federal government over a decision to delay regulations that would require drug makers to disclose the ceiling price for 340B outpatient drugs and to set penalties for overcharging. The Trump administration has delayed implementing the regulations five times and the lawsuit asks a federal court to order the Department of Health and Human Services to make the regulation effective in 30 days on the grounds that the most recent delay is arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.
The U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says that drug makers are trying to “rip off taxpayers” and that big business should act in a more socially responsible manner, The Times of London informs us. Hancock insists that he is “not going to let big pharmaceutical companies hold the National Health Service to ransom” as he negotiates a new deal on drug prices for the health services. His remarks come as Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) plays hardball with the U.K. government over the price of a cystic fibrosis drug.
About the Author Reprints
The claim in DC court against the current Administration’s approach – “the most recent delay is arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable” – qualifies as a “Sun rises in the East story.” That, at least, is my observation ….