appears in the following:

States consider whether to add coverage for some obesity medicines

Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Medicaid is required to cover almost all drugs, but Congress specifically excluded those for weight loss. Even so, 16 states now cover Wegovy. Others are considering it, but it could strain budgets.

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Pharma reps have visited doctors for decades. What impact does it have on patients?

Friday, April 19, 2024

A economic research study shows that oncologists' prescribing habits change after they've been visited by pharmaceutical sales reps — and it also shows the changes do not extend patients' lives.

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U.S. drug makers see big profits — but many pay taxes far below the corporate rate

Friday, April 12, 2024

Drugmakers make big profits in the U.S. But many pay taxes far below the 21% corporate tax rate. Pfizer's effective tax rate is so low it's getting a big refund despite booking $59 billion in revenue.

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An over-the-counter birth control pill will be available to Americans nationwide

Monday, March 04, 2024

OPill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill available without a prescription, is shipping to retailers nationwide.

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Two Bayer drugs are headed to Mark Cuban's online pharmacy

Monday, February 19, 2024

The online pharmacy of entrepreneur Mark Cuban is adding two brand new Bayer drugs to its disruptor model, which relies on a radical transparency compared to the rest of the industry.

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Expected to be a big deal, Alzheimer's drug is pulled after disappointing sales

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Drugmaker Biogen is pulling the plug on its controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, following disappointing sales. It had been expected to be a blockbuster product.

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The drugs that got more — and less — expensive this January

Monday, January 15, 2024

January is when drug makers typically hike their prices. This year, there's a mixed bag of price increases and a few notable declines, such as on some forms of insulin.

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Problems are expected after an asthma inhaler is replaced with generic version

Friday, December 29, 2023

A popular asthma inhaler is being discontinued. Although there is a generic version, the switch could lead to disruptions in care because not all insurance companies are covering it.

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The Supreme Court will decide the fate of abortion pill mifepristone

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will review a lower court decision that would make mifepristone, the commonly used abortion pill, less accessible.

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Sen. Sanders pushes NIH to rein in drug prices

Friday, November 17, 2023

The National Institutes of Health has been reluctant to use its leverage as a biomedical research funder to influence drug pricing. Sen. Bernie Sanders is pressing NIH's new director to take action.

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Chronic drug shortages stress hospitals and patients

Thursday, November 02, 2023

Pharmacists struggle to find key medicines and now have to anticipate drug shortages caused by extreme weather and global instability.

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Hospitals are struggling to overcome various drug shortages

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Shortages of drugs ranging from life-saving chemotherapies to basic generics are straining the health care system. Hospitals are adapting to chronic interruptions in the supply of medicines.

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All in: Drugmakers say yes, they'll negotiate with Medicare on price, so reluctantly

Wednesday, October 04, 2023

Despite at least nine lawsuits against the government, all companies whose drugs are up for Medicare price negotiation will come to the bargaining table.

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After hostage deal with Iran, U.S. looks to deter arbitrary arrests abroad

Thursday, September 21, 2023

After making a deal to free Americans held in Iran, the U.S. is looking with other countries to find ways to stop countries from making arbitrary arrests.

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As Ozempic use grows, so do reports of possible mental health side effects

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Many people taking Ozempic and related drugs have reported mental health concerns. Those side effects aren't in Ozempic's instructions for use. Are the problems a coincidence or related to the drug?

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Baby babble isn't just goo goo! And hearing 2 languages is better than one

Friday, September 15, 2023

The science of baby babble is surprisingly complex. And the idea that a baby exposed to two languages will be confused? Let's see what babble researchers have to say about that.

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Fact check: Do lower drug prices make it harder for companies to find new treatments?

Thursday, August 31, 2023

The pharmaceutical industry has long said that any attempts to control drug prices would mean disaster for their research and development efforts. But the research doesn't back that up.

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Here are the first 10 drugs that Medicare will target for price cuts

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

The government will negotiate new prices for the commonly prescribed drugs, but the cuts won't take effect until 2026. In the meantime, drugmakers are fighting the negotiations with lawsuits.

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Pfizer's RSV vaccine to protect newborns is approved by the FDA

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The Food and Drug Administration has approved approve the first RSV vaccine that can be given during pregnancy to protect newborn babies.

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Pfizer's RSV vaccine to protect babies gets greenlight from FDA

Monday, August 21, 2023

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first vaccine for expectant mothers to shield their babies from RSV.

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