Learn about the latest trends and activities through our blog posts.
Last week Representative Maloney (D-NY) who is the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform released the final staff report, resulting from a multi-year investigation into drug pricing. The Committee investigation was originally started by the late Representative Cummings.
Read MoreCongress has introduced the CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act “that will establish federal standards for CBD food and beverage products to protect consumers and provide marketplace stability for farmers, producers, and retailers.”
Read MoreOn December 1, 2021 the Congressional Cannabis Caucus composed a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the Caucus’ advocacy for medical marijuana access for veterans.
The letter stated “As bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, we are pleased to learn the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considering a change in policy to allow for access to medical cannabis for VA patients. We implore your agency to act swiftly and implement this change as soon as possible.”
Read MoreAccording to a December 1, 2021 press release, Representatives Carter (R-GA) and Gonzalez (D-TX) have reintroduced the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act. The legislation “would limit the power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to artificially spike Medicaid drug prices. The Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act bans the use of spread pricing by middlemen (PBMs) in Medicaid managed care. PBMs drive up prescription drug costs without adding any value to the consumer.”
Read MoreThis week the 8th Circuit issued a decision in the case of Pharmaceutical Care Management Association v. Wehbi, which supported North Dakota’s legislative actions to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PCMA v. Wehbi is the first case at the federal appellate level since the landmark Rutledge v. PCMA decision last year that upheld Arkansas law also regulating PBMs.
Read MoreAccording to the FDA’s press release, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first interchangeable biosimilar product to treat certain inflammatory diseases.”
Read MoreOn October 6th, California Governor Newsom (D-CA) signed SB 41 titled Privacy: genetic testing companies.
Read MoreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in conjunction with the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), Treasury (collectively, the Departments), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued an interim final rule with a comment period that seeks to implement the No Surprises Act aimed at surprise medical billing.
Read MoreThe House of Representatives has passed by voice vote an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by adding the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act to the legislation.
Read MoreAccording to a press release by Senator Warner (D-VA), a newly introduced “bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate proposes to ensure Medicare patients maintain access to home infusion therapies that require the use of an infusion pump. The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act — introduced by Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — would ensure patients with serious viral and fungal infections, heart failure, immune diseases, cancer, and other conditions can receive the intravenous (IV) medications they need while at home.”
The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act can be viewed here.
Read MoreOral arguments have been scheduled for September 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM CST for PCMA v. Wehbi. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated this 8th Circuit case formerly known as Wilke v. PCMA.
Read MoreAccording to the press release, Illumina announced that it has acquired GRAIL.
Read MoreFDA Approves First Interchangeable Biosimilar
Read MoreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule that seeks to rescind the Most Favored Nation Model interim final rule with comment period that appeared in the November 27, 2020 Federal Register. CMS is seeking public comment by October 12, 2021.
Read MoreAccording to Governor Ned Lamont’s press release, the Governor has enacted a new law that legalizes and regulates adult-use cannabis in Connecticut. “The legislation Governor Lamont signed today is Senate Bill 1201. A proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis was initially put forward by Governor Lamont to the General Assembly earlier this year as Senate Bill 888. He also proposed similar legislation in February 2020 as Senate Bill 16.”
Read MoreThe Governor has enacted Act No. 50 effective June 1, which seeks to ban “white bagging” in the state. White bagging is when a drug is delivered from an insurer’s preferred pharmacy to a physician’s office. This new law which is the first of its kind in the country provides that insurers cannot refuse to pay for physician-administered drugs to covered patients. Similar legislation has been seen in Massachusetts, New York and Texas.
Read MoreIn February 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order to direct a government-wide “approach to assessing vulnerabilities in, and strengthening the resilience of, critical supply chains.”
Read MoreAccording to press release, the House Committee on the Judiciary’s Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Cicilline (D-RI) and Ranking Member Buck (R-CO) announced their antitrust bi-partisan agenda outlined below:
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