ATAP News

During this 28 minute conversation, Dr. Levin discusses ATAP's mission and funding and ATAP's position on the administration's current proposal to reform Medicare Part B drug pricing via reference pricing or via the use of an international price index.  Dr. Levin discusses moreover the administration's current proposal to reform Medicare Part D drug pricing by eliminating or prohibiting drug manufacturers from paying a rebate to pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs) and Part D plan sponsors.  This conversation concludes with Dr. Levin's comments concerning the long standing debate whether the Secretary of DHHS should be allowed to negotiate Part D drug prices with manufacturers.  

Dr. Robert Levin gives his thoughts on the confidential system PBMs have created that drive up list prices.

On Dec. 4, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced new legislation to ensure that drug companies play by the rules of the Medicaid program. The bill is aimed at preventing drug companies from overcharging Medicaid, a practice that has been consistently costing taxpayers billions of dollars. While the legislation is an excellent indicator of future bipartisan cooperation on the issue of prescription drug affordability, much more needs to be done.

Express Scripts' new Flex formulary has been touted as an alternative to the rebate-based system, but who really benefits?

In his Sept. 25 article, “Collins’ bills to ban pharmacy ‘gag clauses’ pass House and Senate,” Staff Writer Joe Lawlor reported that the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act – sponsored by Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins – had been approved by both houses of Congress, along with the Know the Lowest Price Act. On Oct. 10, President Trump signed these bills into law.

Dr. Angus Worthing gives his thoughts on the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act.

In March, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act. Backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the bill bans the “gag clauses” that prevent pharmacies from informing consumers whether they could spend less on their medication by paying the full price for an identical product produced by a different manufacturer.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), shared Dr. Levin’s, ATAP President, op-ed on his social media channels highlighting the support ATAP has given to the PBM issue at the federal level.

Dr. Robert Levin offers insight into pharmacy benefit managers and their lack of transparency.