And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is still shaping up as we weigh our options, which include taking a few naps, promenading our official mascots, escorting Mrs. Pharmalot to dinner and stopping by a roadside tavern. We also hope to hold another listening party, where the rotation may include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? As we like to say this time of year, it may be a fine time to enjoy the great indoors, such as reading a book, watching the telly or cooking a comforting meal. Then again, this may be an opportunity to take a long drive in the country or catch up with friends. Or you could simply plan the rest of your life. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. And by the way, if you have a sweetheart, do something nice. Enjoy, and see you on Tuesday, since we have an extended weekend due to a holiday on this side of the pond.
Eli Lilly had $1.5 billion worth of pre-launch inventory of its experimental oral weight-loss drug ahead of an expected decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April, Reuters writes, citing a regulatory filing. Last year, the company had said it had nearly $550 million in pre-launch inventory for the pill, dubbed orforglipron. Lilly has previously said it would have plenty of inventory to launch the much-anticipated weight-loss pill in several countries nearly simultaneously if U.S. regulatory approval is granted. Orforglipron won a fast-track review voucher from the FDA that could cut review times to as little as one to two months, from the typical 10 to 12 months for most new medicines.
The U.S. Senate Health Committee is seeking answers from a private company that makes millions off the 340B Drug Discount Program meant to help the poor, The New York Times writes. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican committee chairman and a doctor from Louisiana, sent a letter last week to Apexus, asking about its profits, business practices and role in the program. Cassidy wrote that as a for-profit company, Apexus had benefited from the program’s “precipitous growth.” That has led to questions about where revenue generated from the program is going and whether that revenue is being used “pursuant to the original intent of 340B.” About 20 years ago, the government chose Apexus to help run 340B, negotiating with drug distributors and manufacturers to secure better prices and access to medicines. Ever since, Apexus, now a subsidiary of Vizient, has been the sole company with a federal contract to handle the program. The government does not pay Apexus — instead, drugmakers and distributors pay the company a small percentage of sales.Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…