Drugs

Grassley Opposes ‘International Pricing Index’ for Drug Prices

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he opposes President Donald Trump’s plan to lower prices that Medicare pays for certain drugs by tying them to lower prices paid in other countries, a plan known as the International Pricing Index. “I don’t think this administration’s approach on international pricing is going to be to the benefit of the adoption of and research for modern drugs,” Grassley said.

The Hill reports there has been speculation that the administration would not finalize its proposal, but instead would use it as an incentive for industry to come forward with other proposals. The story says Grassley’s opposition will make it harder for the administration to move forward, as will the strong opposition of the pharmaceutical industry.

Grassley and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) are developing a proposal to lower drug prices that Grassley said is about 85% done. “There’s a couple of issues that are more difficult” and still need to be resolved, he said.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome