Pharmaceuticals

Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota want drugmakers to stop wasting money by making eyedrops that are too big.

Senators Move To Reduce 'Colossal And Completely Preventable Waste' Of Drugs

9:36am November 01, 2017

by Marshall Allen

Senators cited ProPublica reporting that found drug companies have been making patients pay for oversize eyedrops and more liquid cancer medications than they need.

Gregory Matthews has glaucoma and uses prescription eyedrops. The dropper's opening creates a bigger drop than he needs, causing him to run out of his medication before the prescription is ready to refill.

Health & Safety

Drug Companies Make Eyedrops Too Big, And You Pay For The Waste

3:00pm October 18, 2017

by Marshall Allen

When eyedrops dribble down your face, it's not your fault. Drugmakers have long known that their drops of medicine exceed the capacity of the human eye. Why didn't companies make the drops smaller?

The new law will require pharmaceutical companies to notify the state and health insurers if they plan to raise the price of a medication by 16 percent or more over two years.

California Governor Signs Law To Make Drug Pricing More Transparent

3:25pm October 10, 2017

by April Dembosky

This is the first step in a long game to develop clearer prescription drug pricing laws around the country, health policy experts say.

Drug lobbyists and consumer health advocates fill the halls of the state Capitol in September to see how Assembly members vote on a controversial drug price transparency bill.

California Bill Would Compel Drugmakers To Justify Price Hikes

11:25pm October 04, 2017

by April Dembosky

A bill passed by the California Legislature requires drugmakers to give 60 days' notice before raising a drug's price by 16 percent or more over two years, and to justify the price increase.

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Hepatitis C virus, via transmission electron microscopy. (The actual viral diameter is around 22 nm.) Doctors say the recent FDA approval of Mavyret, a less expensive drug for treating the virus, may make it easier for more insurers and correctional facil

FDA's Approval Of A Cheaper Drug For Hepatitis C Will Likely Expand Treatment

1:30pm October 04, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

Mavyret, recently approved by the Food And Drug Administration, can cure hepatitis C in eight weeks, at a cost of $26,400. Though still expensive, that's well below the price of other options.

A study of chemotherapy medicines produced by 10 companies found that, on average, each drug produced seven times as much revenue for its manufacturer as it cost in research and development.

R&D Costs For Cancer Drugs Are Likely Much Less Than Industry Claims, Study Finds

4:33pm September 11, 2017

by Richard Harris

Industry says it costs about $2.7 billion to bring a cancer drug to market. But oncologists who ran the numbers put the average closer to $650 million. Drugs are priced way too high, the doctors say.

Sick cows led to the invention of Warfarin.

How Moldy Hay And Sick Cows Led To A Lifesaving Drug

7:06pm August 29, 2017

by Joe Palca

The blood thinner warfarin, which prevents blood clots, owes its existence to some cows who got very sick after eating spoiled hay — and to a chemist who spent years trying to figure out why.

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Judge Lewis Gregory, head of the city court in Greenwood, Ind., began allowing drug court participants to begin taking Vivitrol after meeting with an Alkermes sales representative.

To Grow Market Share, A Drugmaker Pitches Its Product To Judges

4:51pm August 03, 2017

by Jake Harper

The pharmaceutical company Alkermes is trying to increase the number of people taking Vivitrol for their opioid addiction by marketing the drug to judges, who have the power to influence treatment.

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As Cost Of U.S. Health Care Skyrockets, So Does Pay Of Health Care CEOs

9:02am July 27, 2017

Compensation in recent years for the CEOs of the largest U.S. health care companies has far outstripped the wage growth of nearly all Americans, an investigation by the news site Axios has found.

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A new drug to treat multiple sclerosis has proven effective, but there are many things to consider before switching to a new treatment plan.

There's An Amazing New Drug For Multiple Sclerosis. Should I Try It?

11:31am July 14, 2017

by Brandie Jefferson

The innovative drug Ocrevus looks as if it could be a game-changer for people with MS. But it's very, very expensive. And as with any new medication, the long-term safety risks are unknown.