FTC fails to get enough votes to launch study into PBM practices
Numerous pharmacists urged commissioners to probe the practices of PBMs, which they allege harm their independent pharmacies and threaten to drive them out of business.
FDA digital health chief talks new role with agency, AI tech
Bakul Patel, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health’s chief digital health officer, will help FDA meet its 2022-2025 strategic priorities and set regulatory policies for the new technologies such as AI and machine learning.
AstraZeneca notches win in ongoing 340B legal fight
The decision vacates a violation letter HHS sent to the drugmaker that argued it was illegally restricting discounts on drugs providers delivered through contract pharmacies.
Walgreens, VillageMD on track to open 200 co-branded clinics this year
It’s the latest sprint in an ongoing race among drugstore chains to build out nationwide medical clinics, as consumers increasingly look for low-cost, convenient care options close to the home after two years of the pandemic.
FTC to vote on investigation into PBMs’ drug-price practices
The agency’s four commissioners will weigh whether to investigate PBMs and their relationship to drug prices and “practices that may disadvantage independent or specialty pharmacies,” according to the meeting agenda.
Molina plans steep reduction in marketplace enrollment
The payer is expected to lose two-thirds of its marketplace enrollment by the end of the year, according to executives.
DOJ preparing suit to block UnitedHealth’s $8B Change acquisition: report
According to Dealreporter, which cited sources familiar with the matter, UnitedHealth and Change are expected to meet with the DOJ soon for a “last rites” meeting on the proposed deal.
CommonSpirit posts operating loss in quarter, hurt by surging labor costs
One of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems also disclosed an agreement to acquire a pair of hospitals in the central U.S. for $135 million.
Nonprofit hospitals may provide smaller community benefit than for-profits in some states, study suggests
Texas had the highest ratio of for-profit to nonprofit unreimbursed Medicaid costs to expenses, while New York and the District of Columbia had the lowest ratios, according to research published in JAMA Network Open.
Califf confirmed as FDA chief in close vote, ending protracted vacancy
Several Democratic lawmakers opposed Califf over his industry ties and the FDA’s past policies on opioid painkillers, drawing out the confirmation process and making the final vote close.