Pharmaceutical Price and Spending Controls in France: Lessons for the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A. Rodwin

As U.S. policymakers consider strategies to control pharmaceutical spending, they can learn from France, which has stopped drug spending growth without slowing access to innovative medicines. France determines the comparative therapeutic value of new drugs. Insurance pays more for drugs superior to their comparator and the same or less for drugs offering modest or no improvement. Contracts require discounts for high sales volume and prohibit price increases. In addition, payers reduce prices of older drugs. Furthermore, Parliament sets an insurance pharmaceutical spending budget, and manufacturers pay clawbacks when spending exceeds the budget. France offers these lessons: setting prices based on added therapeutic value is a principled means to cap new drug prices and provides incentives for manufacturers to negotiate prices. Restricting formularies can help lower prices. Insurers can link prices and quantity to control spending and improper uses. Insurers can use global budgets to control spending and negotiate prices. Contracts can prevent manufacturers from raising prices after launch. External reference pricing can reduce price discrimination but is difficult to implement. Nations can ensure rapid access to new drugs while controlling prices. Regulation and competition are complementary strategies to control drug spending.

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 397
Author(s):  
Laura Cabiedes Miragaya

Most developed countries regulate prices for on-patent drugs, especially if they are publicly funded. Although theoretical reasons -and therefore shared justification - sexist to intervene, pricing schemes may differ considerably from one country to another, as well as in the course of time. In fact, the current focus has been shifting away from cost considerations (the manufacturer´s perspective) towards value considerations (the user/society perspective). With the support of the current legislation and the scarce empirical evidence available to date, it was concluded that in Spain the intervention does not respond to a value-based pricing approach, namely, the prices of new drugs do not reflect their therapeutic value relative to existing alternatives. Besides, the Spanish case was compared with Sweden and the United States.


Author(s):  
Eric M Tichy ◽  
James M Hoffman ◽  
Katie J Suda ◽  
Matthew H Rim ◽  
Mina Tadrous ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To report historical patterns of pharmaceutical expenditures, to identify factors that may influence future spending, and to predict growth in drug spending in 2021 in the United States, with a focus on the nonfederal hospital and clinic sectors. Methods Historical patterns were assessed by examining data on drug purchases from manufacturers using the IQVIA National Sales Perspectives database. Factors that may influence drug spending in hospitals and clinics in 2021 were reviewed—including new drug approvals, patent expirations, and potential new policies or legislation. Focused analyses were conducted for biosimilars, cancer drugs, generics, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic influence, and specialty drugs. For nonfederal hospitals, clinics, and overall (all sectors), estimates of growth of pharmaceutical expenditures in 2021 were based on a combination of quantitative analyses and expert opinion. Results In 2020, overall pharmaceutical expenditures in the United States grew 4.9% compared to 2019, for a total of $535.3 billion. Utilization (a 2.9% increase) and new drugs (a 1.8% increase) drove this increase, with price changes having minimal influence (a 0.3% increase). Adalimumab was the top drug in 2020, followed by apixaban and insulin glargine. Drug expenditures were $35.3 billion (a 4.6% decrease) and $98.4 billion (an 8.1% increase) in nonfederal hospitals and clinics, respectively. In clinics, growth was driven by new products and increased utilization, whereas in hospitals the decrease in expenditures was driven by reduced utilization. Several new drugs that will influence spending are expected to be approved in 2021. Specialty and cancer drugs will continue to drive expenditures along with the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion For 2021, we expect overall prescription drug spending to rise by 4% to 6%, whereas in clinics and hospitals we anticipate increases of 7% to 9% and 3% to 5%, respectively, compared to 2020. These national estimates of future pharmaceutical expenditure growth may not be representative of any particular health system because of the myriad of local factors that influence actual spending.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (15) ◽  
pp. 1213-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric M Tichy ◽  
Glen T Schumock ◽  
James M Hoffman ◽  
Katie J Suda ◽  
Matthew H Rim ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To report historical patterns of pharmaceutical expenditures, to identify factors that may influence future spending, and to predict growth in drug spending in 2020 in the United States, with a focus on the nonfederal hospital and clinic sectors. Methods Historical patterns were assessed by examining data on drug purchases from manufacturers using the IQVIA National Sales Perspectives database. Factors that may influence drug spending in hospitals and clinics in 2020 were reviewed, including new drug approvals, patent expirations, and potential new policies or legislation. Focused analyses were conducted for specialty drugs, biosimilars, and diabetes medications. For nonfederal hospitals, clinics, and overall (all sectors), estimates of growth of pharmaceutical expenditures in 2020 were based on a combination of quantitative analyses and expert opinion. Results In 2019, overall US pharmaceutical expenditures grew 5.4% compared to 2018, for a total of $507.9 billion. This increase was driven to similar degrees by prices, utilization, and new drugs. Adalimumab was the top drug in US expenditures in 2019, followed by apixaban and insulin glargine. Drug expenditures were $36.9 billion (a 1.5% increase from 2018) and $90.3 billion (an 11.8% increase from 2018) in nonfederal hospitals and clinics, respectively. In clinics, growth was driven by new products and increased utilization, whereas in hospitals growth was driven by new products and price increases. Several new drugs that will likely influence spending are expected to be approved in 2020. Specialty and cancer drugs will continue to drive expenditures. Conclusion For 2020 we expect overall prescription drug spending to rise by 4.0% to 6.0%, whereas in clinics and hospitals we anticipate increases of 9.0% to 11.0% and 2.0% to 4.0%, respectively, compared to 2019. These national estimates of future pharmaceutical expenditure growth may not be representative of any particular health system because of the myriad of local factors that influence actual spending.


Author(s):  
D Samba Reddy

Thirty-nine (39) new drugs have been approved by the U.S. FDA in 2012, a record highest number of approvals since 1996. The record is a sign that pharma companies are poised to tap recent advances from genomics and proteomics. This list includes novel new drugs, known as new molecular entities (NMEs), biologics and new products. Many life-saving drugs are approved for marketing. The list includes a total of 10 drugs for cancer treatment, and nearly a quarter of those approved in 2012 had orphan drug status.  Among the breakthrough drugs approved in 2012 were ivacaftor (cystic fibrosis), vasmodegib (skin cancer), HPC-C (human cord blood product), ruxolitinib (myelofibrosis) and a new combination drug to treat HIV. In addition,  several unique products were approved for the treatment of macular degeneration, chronic weight management, overactive bladder, actinic keratosis, erectile dysfunction, glaucoma, respiratory distress syndrome, and COPD. The approval of 39 drugs in 2012 underscores a robust success rate and confirms that innovation is once again beginning to pay off. In the existing climate of reduced revenues in the face of generic competitions, the future and survival of big companies rests heavily on their unique niche products. It is apparent that big Pharma and a growing number of emerging Biotechs alike have focused their attention on developing new NMEs for rare diseases. In 2012, the length of the FDA’s review is shorter than agencies in other countries. Innovative models adopted for R&D strategies, communications, and new regulatory changes appear to shorten development timelines. Despite record drug approvals, there is bleak scope for blockbusters because most of these drugs have a limited market. The pipeline for blockbusters appears very low. However, there is unmet medical need for new drugs in autism, Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. Overall, the new drug approval list unveils unique and reemerging trends indicating that the pharma companies are poised for big growth from new brands approved for marketing for narrow-spectrum indications.    


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brahma N. Singh ◽  
Garima Pandey ◽  
Prateeksha ◽  
J. Kumar

With the advent of green pharmaceuticals, the secondary metabolites derived from plants have provided numerous leads for the development of a wide range of therapeutic drugs; however the discovery of new drugs with novel structures has declined in the past few years. Cryptogams including lichens, bryophytes, and pteridophytes represent a group of small terrestrial plants that remain relatively untouched in the drug discovery process though some have been used as ethnomedicines by various tribes worldwide. Studies of their secondary metabolites are recent but reveal unique secondary metabolites which are not synthesized by higher plants. These compounds can have the potential to develop more potential herbal drugs for prevention and treatment of diseases The present article . deals with the secondary metabolites and pharmacological activities of cryptogams with an objective to bring them forth as potential source of biodynamic compounds of therapeutic value.


2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-542
Author(s):  
Merri C. Moken

The use of pharmaceutical products in the United States has increased more than the use of any other health resource from 1960 to 1990. In excess of 9,600 drugs were on the market in 1984, and the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approves approximately 30 new drugs and countless new applications for alterations of already existing drugs each year. In 2001, the $300 billion pharmaceutical industry sold $154 billion worth of prescription drugs in the United States alone, nearly doubling its $78.9 billion in sales in 1997. With such a rapid increase in market domination and expenditures, the U.S. government and many hospitals have focused their attention on the sales and pricing practices of pharmaceutical companies, as well as other potential factors contributing to these escalating prices. One such cause of the steadily increasing prices of brand name pharmaceuticals is the sale of fake or counterfeit pharmaceuticals (also called “look-alike” drugs).


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Keith V. Bletzer

Hardships that face transmigrants working in agriculture include the potential for drug use. Reliant on village-based networks that facilitate border crossing and developing a plan for a destination within this country, transmigrants who try new drugs/alcohol and/or continue on accustomed drugs/alcohol are facilitated in these endeavors through locally generated networks as alternative forms of access and support. Seven cases of undocumented men from Mexico are reviewed to show how use of illicit drugs is minimally affected by economic success and time in the United States, or village-based networks that first facilitated entry into this country. Prior conditions, especially childhood difficulties and search for socioeconomic autonomy, precipitate new and/or continuing drug use within the United States on this side of the border, where both forms of drug use are facilitated by locally generated networks.


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