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, so far, appears rather modest, given the frigid conditions awaiting us. We expect to catch up on our reading, check in on one of our ancestors and take a nap or two. We also expect to have time for another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Once again, this may be an opportunity to enjoy the great indoors. The options are endless — you could read a good book, stream a series or three on the telly, cook a spicy meal, or tidy up the premises. Or perhaps an invigorating stroll around the neighborhood is in order. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
President Trump on Thursday night launched TrumpRx, the website that he and his aides have touted for months as a platform aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, STAT tells us. The website, which uses technology from health care company GoodRx, is expected to display the cash prices — that is, the prices available when paying without insurance — for certain drugs and direct patients to other sites where they can buy the therapies. The move is part of his plan to lower drug prices in the U.S., but some experts are skeptical the platform will meaningfully affect affordability. Though the direct prices are lower than list prices, they still amount to several hundred dollars per month for many drugs, largely more than the cost for patients using insurance. And typically when patients buy their drugs directly from pharma companies, none of their spending counts toward their deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums, which are meant to limit costs over time.
In an unexpected move, Hims & Hers is making available a cheaper, compounded version of the Wegovy weight loss pill sold by Novo Nordisk, prompting the drugmaker to accuse the telehealth platform of “illegal mass compounding,” STAT writes. In its announcement, Hims & Hers said it would make compounded copies of Wegovy available on its platform for an introductory price of $49 for the first month with a five-month plan. The version would be made from the same active ingredient, semaglutide, that is the basis for the Novo Nordisk medicine, which sells for $149 for a starting dose. Later, though, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary tweeted that the agency will take swift action against companies that mass-market “illegal copycat drugs” by claiming they are similar to FDA-approved products. Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…