Post by sgard434 on Jan 24, 2017 18:41:20 GMT
Here's a couple of articles I found very helpful in understanding the issue of whether Medicare should negotiate drug pricing directly with pharmaceuticals.
My takeaway is it may do little to lower drug prices. Congress would also have to change the law that prevents Medicare from limiting drug access in 6 categories. Right now they must cover all FDA approved drugs in those 6 categories no matter the price. Both articles are quick reads:
www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/health/the-fight-trump-faces-over-drug-prices.html?_r=0
www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/upshot/the-real-reason-medicare-is-a-lousy-drug-negotiator-it-cant-say-no.html?action=click&contentCollection=Health&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
My takeaway is it may do little to lower drug prices. Congress would also have to change the law that prevents Medicare from limiting drug access in 6 categories. Right now they must cover all FDA approved drugs in those 6 categories no matter the price. Both articles are quick reads:
www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/health/the-fight-trump-faces-over-drug-prices.html?_r=0
www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/upshot/the-real-reason-medicare-is-a-lousy-drug-negotiator-it-cant-say-no.html?action=click&contentCollection=Health&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
