Week in Review: The latest from PhRMA

Competition works for pricing – Despite misleading claims to the contrary, a new report from IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics found that net prices for brand medicines increased just 2.8 percent in 2015, down from 5.1 percent the year prior. Read more about the report and the role of aggressive negotiation and competition in keep prices down.   

Patients on the hook for insurance costs – A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found insurance benefits have been structured to make out-of-pocket costs harder to budget for or predict. According to the study, shifting patient cost sharing to deductibles and coinsurance – along with rising overall out-of-pocket costs – further adds to the burden on patients. Read more about how average deductibles and coinsurance are putting more of the cost burden on patients.

India denies novel HIV/AIDS treatment – Several years ago, Indian Prime Minister Modi announced an initiative “Make in India” meant to encourage foreign and domestic manufacturing. Learn how India went against their own initiative and denied a patient for an innovative HIV/AIDS treatment.

A voice for patients –This week, Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, Chief Medical Officer of Merck, shares why R&D has allowed him to help patients.  Watch the video to hear more about Dr. Rosenblatt’s experience prescribing a drug he helped to develop.

Targeting the immune system to combat cancer – Immuno-oncology is one of the most exciting areas today in cancer research. Developed over a century ago, immuno-oncology involves using the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Learn more from Bristol-Myers Squibb about this innovative approach to cancer treatment.

Clinical Trials Awareness – With Clinical Trials Awareness Week coming up May 2-6, we spoke with Abbe Steel from HealthiVibe, an organization dedicated to helping patients and caregivers. Check out the Q&A, which highlights patient-focused trials, protocols and more.

FDA releases draft biosimilar labeling guidance – The FDA has issued its draft guidance on labeling biosimilars. Read more about how we think labeling should incorporate three critical elements that will provide regulatory transparency to support informed choices by health care professionals and patients.

Celebrating advances in HIV/AIDS – April 10 marked National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, an opportunity to educate on the impact of HIV and AIDS and to recognize advances in science that have brought hope to many patients with the disease and their families.  Check out advances in research and innovative treatments for HIV/AIDS, which have helped transform the disease to a manageable, chronic condition.

Medicare Monday ­– Average Sales Price (ASP) is a market-based price that reflects the average of almost all manufacturer sales prices and includes rebates and discounts privately negotiated between manufacturers and purchasers. With the proposed changes to Part B, it’s important to understand what and how ASP works. In this week’s Medicare Monday, we wrote about how reimbursement levels are set and how it plays into total cost.