And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is, so far, rather modest. We expect to catch up on our reading, take a few naps, and promenade with the official mascots. And we also hope to have time for another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? As winter gradually recedes, this may be an opportunity to explore the great outdoors. If the weather fails to cooperate, you could visit the local library for a book or two. Or perhaps this is the moment to take up a new hobby. Sorry, we do not offer suggestions or legal advice. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
Reining in drug prices has been a priority for both the Trump and Biden administrations, but Trump is getting more credit for his efforts, STAT tells us. 41% of Americans say it is likely that Trump administration policies will lower their prescription drug costs, according to a new poll by KFF. The responses were sharply divided along party lines, with 79% of Republicans and 11% of Democrats expecting Trump to lower drug prices. When KFF polled the public on Medicare’s drug price negotiation program in September 2024, 31% of respondents were aware of the program. That means far more Americans believe that Trump’s initiatives will lower drug prices than were even aware that Democrats passed a law directing Medicare to negotiate lower prices.
Biotech companies have launched a frontal assault on President Trump’s plan to cap U.S. drug prices, putting on the record their view that it could threaten their ability to innovate, according to Politico. In so doing, the members of Midsized Biotech Alliance of America have broken hard from others in the drug industry. Both agree that Trump’s drug pricing plan — which he calls most-favored nation because it would set prices at the lowest level paid in wealthy countries abroad — poses a threat, but bigger players do not want to inflame the famously mercurial president with a public campaign. “We need to have the courage of our convictions,” said Mike Raab, chief executive of Ardelyx, a biotech and member of the alliance. “Rather than being anonymous, I’m fine saying this out loud, [which] is that ‘Careful about what you’re doing because you could hurt an incredibly important innovation engine that is unique to the United States.’”
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