Pharmaceutical Therapies

Public Webinar Patents are an important driver of prescription drug innovation. Recently, manufacturer practices under the current patent system have come under scrutiny for blocking or delaying the entry of generic or biosimilar drugs into the market. The development of novel therapies plays a critical role in treating, and in some cases eradicating, debilitating and […]

Public Briefing  Biologic drugs, developed from living cells and organisms, can stimulate the human body to combat debilitating diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. While biologics are a major achievement in medicine, the cost of procuring these drugs continues to pose challenges to the health care system. The development and sale of […]

Public Briefing During this briefing, panelists discussed the mechanisms of pharmaceutical rebates in Medicare Part D and commercial insurance. The audience left with more information on the origins of the rebate system, the actors responsible for negotiation, and the impact of rebates on prescription drug prices. Panelists Gerard Anderson, Ph.D., professor, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg […]

Public Webinar There has been growing momentum among policymakers to address rising prescription drug prices. One solution is leveraging market forces to bring down costs by increasing competition through generics and biosimilars. During this webinar, panelists discussed the main opportunities and challenges of the generic and biosimilar market, how past administrations have approached this issue, and […]

Outpatient prescription drug coverage is an optional Medicaid benefit that all 50 states and DC have opted to provide. State Medicaid programs establish their own payment design for outpatient prescription drugs within parameters established by the federal government. The entrance of high-cost specialty drugs into the market and rising prices for generic drugs are contributing […]

The opioid addiction crisis has thrown a spotlight on the physical and behavioral health issues surrounding chronic pain. This briefing, part of our Future of Health Care Summit Series, examined innovative non-pharmacologic models to address chronic pain, including among the military and veteran population and through state Medicaid and safety net programs. Ben Miller, Well […]

The Alliance for Health Policy hosted a briefing on current issues in prescription drug affordability and innovation, focusing on potential policy and private-sector approaches to this complex issue. The panel included: Henry Waxman, Waxman Strategies Joel White, Council for Affordable Health Coverage Steve Miller, Express Scripts David Mitchell, Patients for Affordable Drugs Robert Zirkelbach, PhRMA Larry […]

While recent pharmaceutical innovations offer unprecedented possibilities for curing, treating, and preventing disease, stakeholders throughout the health care system have serious concerns about prescription drug affordability. Payment methods that incorporate concepts of value and patient-centered care are among the emerging policy options to address the cost of drugs for Medicare patients. This briefing featured presentations […]

With biosimilar biological products moving from the lab to the marketplace, key policy and regulatory questions are being actively debated, with important implications for industry, patients, and the health care system. This discussion will provide background on current policy and regulatory issues surrounding biosimilars, and it will consider implications for the future, answering critical questions […]

Recent pharmaceutical innovations offer unprecedented possibilities for curing, treating, or preventing a range of diseases. However, patients, providers and payers alike have raised concerns about the affordability and sustainability of these drugs. As a response to price increases of both single-source and generic drugs, some stakeholders are calling for a move towards basing payments on […]