In 2023, Decision Makers Should Dig into Data About Our Drug Pricing System
In Chain Drug Review, NPC's John O'Brien discusses how 2023 brings renewed imperative to root health policy decisions in evidence.
The year ahead brings complex health policy challenges, especially as policymakers learn more about the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and stakeholders understand how to put the law will be implemented. In a commentary published in Chain Drug Review, NPC President and CEO John M. O’Brien, PharmD, MPH, discusses the task ahead for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and why it’s important for the agency to proceed cautiously as it evaluates drug prices and the value delivered to patients and society, at large.
The dialogue should be informed by solid evidence and transparent data. Most importantly, all of us would be better off if we focus on what matters most to that patient who shows up at the pharmacy counter needing medicine to better their health.
In his commentary, Dr. O’Brien also discusses the Federal Trade Commission's ongoing review of practices used by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and outlines why tactics used by PBMs have the potential to disrupt patient care and lead to poor patient outcomes. On the 340B Drug Discount Program, he notes that the program’s explosive growth has not been matched by transparency or data collection that could help policymakers assess whether the program is actually improving access for underserved patients.
While there is no shortage of complicated and contentious policy issues ahead in 2023, Dr. O’Brien reminds readers of the importance of keeping patients at the center of the discussion.
Read his full commentary on the Chain Drug Review website.
