What we're reading, December 2, 2015: Gilead priced Sovaldi knowing the high cost would be a challenge for patients and payers; Senate Republicans will vote Thursday on Obamacare repeal and expect to get the needed votes; and a report calls for a better focus on women's health.
Gilead Priced Sovaldi High Despite Knowing Challenges It Would Cause
An investigation into Gilead Sciences Inc’s pricing of its hepatitis C drug Sovaldi revealed that the company knew the list price would cause payers to restrict patient access and would present challenges for government health programs. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the US Senate committee reviewing internal documents uncovered one executive vice president urged the company not to “fold to advocacy pressure” and to stick with the $1000-a-pill price tag no matter what the response was.
GOP Confident It Will Pass Obamacare Repeal
If Senate Republicans are to pass their Affordable Care Act repeal and send it to the president’s desk, they can only afford 3 Republicans to jump ship. Currently 2 appear likely to defect over provisions in the bill to defund Planned Parenthood, although Senate Republicans are confident they will secure the needed 51 votes by the vote on Thursday, reported Politico. However, Republicans from states that have expanded Medicaid may be concerned about passing the bill.
Task Force Report Identifies Needed Research in Women’s Health
The US Preventive Services Task Force has called for a focus on women’s health beyond gynecological and reproductive issues. The report identified 5 high priority areas where there is a gap in evidence-based research. These areas include addressing effective screening in women for issues of domestic violence, drug abuse, depression, and suicide; thyroid dysfunction; and how recommendations can be implemented in primary care practices.
Disparities in Telehealth Access Undermine Adoption Among Patients With Schizophrenia
January 16th 2025The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the widespread adoption of telemental health care, and new research indicates significant racial and ethnic disparities in access to this technology among Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia.
Read More
Study Suggests Postdischarge Care Needs Targeted, Multifaceted Approaches
January 15th 2025The findings challenge the effectiveness of these widely used transitional care interventions and suggest a need for more targeted, multifaceted approaches to address the needs of higher-risk patients.
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Pharmacy Support for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
December 19th 2024Rachael Drake, pharmacy technician coordinator, University of Kansas Health System, explains how her team collaborates with insurance companies and providers to support treatment access for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Listen