CER Daily Newsfeed

Video: Sponsor Perspective: National Pharmaceutical Council | The Hill’s Health Next Summit

(3/28, The Hill Events, YouTube) “National Pharmaceutical Council sponsor perspective featuring John O’Brien (President & CEO, National Pharmaceutical Council) in conversation with Kacie Brady (Senior Event Manager, The Hill).” View Video

Access to Treatments, Preserving Medicaid, and Keeping Americans Healthy are Main Themes at Health Next Summit

(3/27, Alliance for Aging Research) comments “The Alliance for Aging Research co-sponsored The Hill’s Health Next Summit on Wednesday morning. More than 230 attendees filled seats in the Willard InterContinental’s Grand Ballroom in the heart of Washington, D.C., with another 1,200 tuning into the online livestream...In his Sponsor Perspective, John O’Brien, President and CEO, National Pharmaceutical Council focused on the importance of continuing to develop good policies to foster innovation.” Full

Patient Safety Research May Be Imperiled if AHRQ Is Downsized, Experts Warn

(3/27, Joyce Frieden, MedPage Today) reports “...‘Any cuts to AHRQ's funding will erase decades of progress and have devastating consequences including unnecessary deaths and harms to patients and the workforce ... and critical reductions in patient safety research funding,’ [Patricia McGaffigan, RN, MS, CPPS] said in an email to MedPage Today. ‘Today's news raises urgent questions and concerns about the preservation and continuation of key taxpayer funded initiatives and resources that are vital lifelines for patient safety.’” Subscription Required

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Reform Prior Authorization

(3/27, Ashleigh Fields, The Hill) reports “...‘We’ve got to let doctors focus on treating patients. True peer-to-peer deliberations will help to reduce stress and frustration in the prior authorization process—and that’s why I’m introducing the Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025,’ [Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.)] said in a statement exclusive to The Hill. ‘This bill will smooth the way for Medicare and Medicare Advantage recipients to get the healthcare they need.’” Full

Behind the Prescription: The Quiet Revolution in Formulary Management

(3/27, Muhammad Cheema, PharmD, Pharmacy Times) comments “...Rather than simply favoring the cheapest option, PBMs are increasingly weighing how well a drug performs in the real world. This means assessing not only clinical trial data but also how a therapy reduces hospital visits, improves quality-of-life scores, or sustains long-term remission. The result? A growing trend of performance-based contracts, in which drug manufacturers are paid not just for supply but for results.” Full

Why More Providers Are Enlisting Value-Based Care Consultants

(3/27, Hayley DeSilva, Modern Healthcare) reports “...‘The market pressure that [providers are] feeling from payers, as well as the world where their margin and their financial resiliency can be improved through value-based models, it's really catalyzing groups to move into these programs kind of much more aggressively and with more of a longer-term view than they had historically up to now,’ said Seth Edwards, vice president of strategic collaboratives at Premier.” Subscription Required