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What We’re Reading: Pfizer May Cut COVID-19 Drug Prices; Amazon Launches Virtual Health Clinic; Alzheimer Treatment Efficacy Disparities
Pfizer considers cost-cutting as demand for COVID-19 products lag; Amazon Clinic aims to provide virtual care for common health concerns; Black patients may find new Alzheimer drugs less effective
Pfizer Contemplates COVID-19 Drug Cost-Cutting Program Due to Low Sales
On Tuesday, Pfizer revealed it is considering implementing a cost-cutting program in response to lower-than-expected demand for its COVID-19 products during the second quarter of 2023, according to Reuters. Sales for the Comirnaty vaccine dropped by 83%, while revenue for the Paxlovid antiviral treatment fell by 98%. Despite the lower performance of COVID-19 products, Pfizer maintains its forecast for annual COVID revenues at approximately $21.5 billion.
Amazon Launches Telehealth Center, Amazon Clinic Expands to All 50 States
Amazon Clinic, an online virtual medical clinic, is now available in all 50 states, as well as Washington, DC, offering telehealth services to consumers through its website and mobile app, according to Fierce Healthcare. The service connects users with licensed clinicians who can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for common health concerns. However, it currently only operates on a cash-pay basis without accepting insurance. The expansion comes after quarterly sales for COVID-19 products fell short of Wall Street targets.
Disparities in Alzheimer Treatment Efficacy Emerge
New evidence suggests that groundbreaking treatments for Alzheimer disease, targeting the toxic protein beta amyloid, may have a greater benefit for White Americans than Black Americans due to differences in amyloid levels, according to NBC News. The study found older Black Americans have twice the rate of dementia compared with White peers but were screened out of clinical trials for these drugs at a higher rate. Additionally, the disparity in beta amyloid is leading researchers to explore whether this disease manifests differently in diverse populations and is prompting calls for a better understanding of the disease in underrepresented groups.
Neonatology Pricing and Network Participation Under State Balance Billing Regulations
October 2nd 2025This national study of neonatology services found no clear evidence that state surprise billing regulations influenced prices or provider network participation for the commercially insured.
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AI in Health Care: Balancing Governance, Innovation, and Trust
September 2nd 2025In this conversation with Reuben Daniel, associate vice president of artificial intelligence at UPMC Health Plan, we dive into how UPMC Health Plan builds trust with providers and members, discuss challenges of scaling AI effectively, and hear about concrete examples of AI's positive impact.
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Managed Care Reflections: A Q&A With Ge Bai, PhD, CPA
October 2nd 2025To mark the 30th anniversary of The American Journal of Managed Care, each issue in 2025 includes a special feature: reflections from a thought leader on what has changed—and what has not—over the past 3 decades and what’s next for managed care. The October issue features a conversation with Ge Bai, PhD, CPA, professor of accounting at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Infertility Coverage Boosts ART Use and Pregnancy Success: Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA
August 26th 2025In this episode, Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA, discusses his study showing that infertility treatment coverage increases assisted reproductive technology (ART) use and improves pregnancy outcomes.
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