Week in Review: The Latest from PhRMA

Ask About Adherence: A recent study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found proper adherence to hypertension medication leads to time, money and resources saved for both patients and the health care system. Read more about the benefits in the latest “Ask About Adherence” post.

Direct-to-Consumer Ads: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements are not only regulated by the FDA (and PhRMA’s own DTC principles), but past studies have found more than 70 percent of people agree the ads create better informed, more engaged patients. Check out what else a recent New York Times editorial missed about DTC advertising.

Preventing Drug Abuse: This week, with support from PhRMA, the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation (NEHI) released a report highlighting the critical role prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) play in preventing prescription drug abuse. Learn more about these efforts from NEHI’s vice president of policy research Thomas Hubbard.

Cross-Country Drug Comparisons: Recent cross-country drug pricing comparisons have not taken into account the trade-offs that come with government price controls, or the competitive biopharmaceutical marketplace in the U.S., in which negotiations, rebates and competition lower final prices. Drug pricing comparisons should keep these four facts in mind.

World AIDS Day: On World AIDS Day, PhRMA reflected on medical innovations which have helped lower the death rate nearly 85 percent and helped patients reach average life expectancy.

Medicare Monday: Following part one earlier this month on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Part B biosimilars reimbursement plan, part two examines the policy’s impact will have on patients and the biopharma marketplace. 

Insurers’ Impact on Medicine Access: When choosing new coverage, it is important to understand ways insurers may hinder access to necessary medicine. Read five ways insurance can prevent a patient from receiving medicine.