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WashU expert analyzes FTC settlements with major pharmacy benefit managers

The Federal Trade Commission's settlements with two of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) could change how the companies do business, but they may not do enough to lower prescription drug costs for patients and employers, according to a health law expert at Washington University in St. Louis.

22 Sep 2026

US Medicare's new 'Most-Favored-Nation' pricing policy could raise international medicine prices

A new modeling study published in The Lancet suggests that US Medicare's new 'Most-Favored-Nation' pricing policy, which ties what Medicare pays for medicines to prices charged in other high-income countries, could push pharmaceutical manufacturers to raise prices or delay launches.

15 Sep 2026

'Me-too' drugs drive increased spending through higher prescribing

A long-running debate over prescription drug costs has centered on whether drug manufacturers are better rewarded for truly innovative medicines or so-called "me-too" drugs that may offer only incremental improvements over existing treatments but still command high prices.

3 Aug 2026

Insurance denials for brand-name drugs surge over past six years

A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the American Enterprise Institute found that insurance denials of first attempts to fill prescriptions for brand-name prescription drugs with no generic competitors increased more than two-thirds between 2018 and 2024.

11 Jul 2026

Healthcare affordability in America drops to lowest level since 2021

New research released today from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America finds that fewer than half of Americans (49%) are considered "Cost Secure," meaning they can consistently afford healthcare and prescription medications when and where they need them, the lowest level recorded since West Health and Gallup launched its Healthcare Affordability Index in 2021.

18 Jun 2026

Global policy gaps slow biosimilar adoption and access

Nine out of 10 prescriptions are filled by generic drugs - FDA-approved carbon copies of brand-name drugs with expired patents.

1 Jun 2026

Addressing depression and anxiety in primary care improves chronic pain management

A study published this month in the American Journal of Managed Care explores how integrating behavioral health care into primary care can improve outcomes and be cost-effective for adults with depression, anxiety and chronic pain who are on long-term opioid therapy.

15 May 2026

Medicare reforms improve medication adherence among older adults with heart disease

Medicare beneficiaries with heart disease or major cardiovascular risk factors reported less cost-related medication non-adherence-skipping or reducing doses, delaying prescription fills or foregoing medications due to cost-after new provisions went into effect limiting out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) and simultaneously published in JACC, the flagship journal of the ACC.

24 Mar 2026

In switching to original medicare, beware of Medigap plan refusals

It's open enrollment season for Medicare Advantage, when people currently enrolled in private managed-care plans can either sign up for a new one or switch to original Medicare through March 31.

16 Mar 2026

To avoid care disruptions, know when the clock runs out on your prior authorization

A woman with multiple sclerosis wanted to be able to walk up the stairs at home without losing her balance.

27 Feb 2026

Should drug companies be advertising to consumers?

Tamar Abrams had a lousy couple of years in 2022 and '23. Both her parents died; a relationship ended; she retired from communications consulting.

20 Feb 2026

Study reveals higher rates of substance use among non‑heterosexual groups in the U.S.

A study led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine reveals higher rates of substance use among all non‑heterosexual groups in the U.S., including people who are uncertain of or who use different terms to describe their sexual identity.

18 Feb 2026

Study examines potential impact of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan on cancer patients

A new study examines the potential impact of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) - an opt-in policy implemented in 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act that allows beneficiaries to spread out of pocket (OOP) costs over the calendar year - on Medicare Part D beneficiaries with cancer who face high out-of-pocket (OOP) prescription drug costs.

19 Jan 2026

Simple reminder emails increase clinicians' use of database for safe opioid prescribing

A new randomized clinical trial finds that simple reminder emails substantially increase clinicians' use of a database that supports safe prescribing of opioids and other drugs, even though opioid prescribing patterns themselves did not meaningfully change during the study period.

30 Dec 2025

Nicotine pouch use rises sharply among young men in Great Britain

Use of nicotine pouches has risen substantially in Great Britain over the last five years, particularly among young men, with one in 13 (7.5%) men aged 16 to 24 now using them, according to a new study led by researchers at UCL (University College London).

17 Dec 2025

Prescription drug advertising proves more effective in reducing smoking rates

A new peer-reviewed study in the INFORMS journal Marketing Science finds that direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for prescription smoking-cessation drugs meaningfully reduces cigarette use. At the same time, the research found that advertising for over the counter (OTC) nicotine products does not reduce cigarette use.

22 Oct 2025

App boosts antibiotic prescribing safety in outpatient clinics

A smartphone app integrating antibiotic guidelines improved prescribing practices and adherence to antimicrobial stewardship in Abu Dhabi's outpatient settings.

19 Sep 2025

University of Maine team develops sustainable method to cut drug production costs

One of the main factors driving prices in pharmaceuticals, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics, is the cost of production and materials.

17 Sep 2025

AI voice agents helped improve accuracy of blood pressure measurements in older adults

Artificial intelligence (AI) voice agents helped older adults with high blood pressure to accurately report their blood pressure readings and improved blood pressure management, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025.

8 Sep 2025

As insurers struggle with GLP-1 drug costs, some seek to wean patients off

After losing 50 pounds on the injectable weight loss medication Zepbound, Kyra Wensley received a surprising letter from her pharmacy benefit manager in April.

4 Sep 2025