Latest news with #MostFavoredNation
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Johnson & Johnson price target raised to $176 from $171 at Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley analyst Terence Flynn raised the firm's price target on Johnson & Johnson to $176 from $171 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm cites the company's Q2 earnings beat and expectations for top and bottom line growth in 2026 but also notes limited visibility on potential pharma tariffs and Most Favored Nation drug pricing policy, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week.
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Academic Medical Centers: A Call to Maintain the Spirit of Excellence and Innovation
Medicine once felt like a sacred pursuit. I remember walking the halls of the University of Chicago in the late 1980s, surrounded by pioneers of immunology and genetics, where every discovery felt like it could change the world. We weren't just learning medicine—we were witnessing the birth of modern biology. In those years, I trained under mentors like Donald Rowley, an expert in B cell regulation, and Janet Rowley, who made a seminal discovery in cancer biology by identifying chromosomal translocations. It was a time of extraordinary progress, and I felt part of a revolution in medicine. That spirit—the relentless pursuit of discovery, the unwavering devotion to excellence—is what shaped me. But today, that spirit is under threat. Not only in the United States, where academic medical centers (AMCs) are strained by politics, profit models and bureaucracy—but also in countries like Mexico, where health systems are crumbling under neglect and underfunding. This is a call to remember what made academic medicine the beacon of progress. And to fight for it, before it fades into nostalgia. My Personal Journey in Academic Medicine After completing my basic science training, I began clinical work at Baylor College of Medicine with the goal of becoming an oncologist specializing in bone marrow transplantation. But my time at Baylor College of Medicine and Houston Methodist—home to giants like Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley—changed my path. I witnessed cardiac surgery, heart transplants and artificial heart implantations being performed routinely, while interventional cardiology was just beginning to emerge. It became clear to me that the future of medicine—minimally invasive—was unfolding in cardiovascular care. This inspired me to become a cardiologist. I would argue that my training experience was exceptional because of the academic medical centers where I trained. Many of us in medicine were shaped by that same spirit: a belief in discovery, in academic rigor, in the power of science to improve lives. Whether in the U.S., Mexico or elsewhere, we share this commitment to excellence, to purpose and to the greater good. TecSalud Where Are We Today? We are once again living in extraordinary times. Advances like immune checkpoint inhibitors, minimally invasive cardiac procedures and gene-editing technologies are transforming medicine. Personalized therapies, powered by genomics and AI, are becoming a reality. Yet despite this progress, the spirit that once defined academic medicine is fading. Physicians are burdened by financial pressures, hospitals operate like businesses and funding for research is shrinking. The political climate in the U.S. adds further strain: NIH grants have been suspended, elite universities are being threatened and policies like the MFN (Most Favored Nation) proposal discourage innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Tariffs are raising costs while public discourse increasingly disregards science itself. In Mexico, academic medicine faces even greater challenges: low health care spending, lack of universal access and a divide between public and private sectors. The promise of modern medicine is immense, but we risk losing the ecosystem that makes it possible. TecSalud Call to Action: Reclaim the Spirit of Excellence The engine of medical progress has always been the unique collaboration between universities, hospitals, physicians and industry, especially within AMCs. These institutions are where breakthroughs happen, where future leaders are shaped and where science is translated into real-world impact. Today, that model is under pressure. Yet it is precisely in these moments of challenge that AMCs must stand firm as beacons of excellence, purpose and innovation. That is the path we are following in Mexico at TecSalud. We've created a physician group integrated with our medical school, launched research platforms like the Origin project—a genomic and biostatistical study of 100,000 Mexicans—and established a GMP facility to advance cell therapies. We are building a new center for research and clinical training, and forging international partnerships with institutions such as the Ragon Institute and UT Austin. Our centers for early childhood and obesity reflect our commitment to solving the most pressing health challenges of our population. AMCs are more than institutions; they are moral compasses for medicine. We must protect them, even in the most difficult environments. And we must lead with conviction, staying true to our values and setting a higher standard. It is true that when I look back on my years of training, I have a special feeling of nostalgia for the mystique that seems to be lost. That spirit may feel distant today, but recognizing the importance of regaining it, is the first step toward a brighter, bolder future in medicine.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Limitless Consulting Launches Pharmacy Stewardship Program to Achieve Real-Time Drug Price Parity for Employers
Limitless Consulting frees U.S. employers from overpriced medications, saving an average $1.5M per 1000 lives through safe global sourcing with zero disruption. 'It's the equivalent of buying groceries at the airport; if the same items cost five times more there than at your local store, you wouldn't keep paying that markup. Yet that's what's happening...'— Mike McLain, FACHE, MHA, MBA COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, July 8, 2025 / / -- Limitless Consulting Group LLC announced the national launch of its Pharmacy Stewardship Program, positioning it as a private-sector implementation of drug price parity as identified in the 'Most Favored Nation' executive order. This launch comes amid a national debate over soaring prescription drug costs. Policy proposals range from aligning U.S. drug prices with international rates via a 'Most Favored Nation' (MFN) strategy, to delayed state-run Section 804 Importation Programs, and the sweeping 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' that revamped healthcare but omitted any MFN price-parity fix. With no federal solution in sight, Limitless Consulting is already delivering relief now by empowering employers to slash pharmacy spending by 50% without changing current benefit plans or compromising compliance. Chief Financial Officers and HR leaders under pressure to rein in benefits costs have found prescription drug spending to be one of their toughest challenges. These unsustainable trends squeeze corporate budgets and put employee health at risk. The statistics are stark: 💊 Employers spend over $1,300 per employee annually on pharmacy benefits, yet up to 50-80% of that is wasted on inflated prices. 💊 Just 1-2% of prescriptions (mainly high-cost specialty drugs) account for about 50% of total pharmacy spend for many employers. 💊 Americans pay 3 to 5 times more for the same medications than in other advanced countries. 💊 Nearly one in four Americans have skipped filling a prescription due to cost. The Pharmacy Stewardship Program offers a bold solution to the pharmacy cost crisis: true parity with international drug prices. Limitless Consulting leverages existing federal statutes that permits safe importation of FDA-approved medications from 'Tier 1' countries. In practical terms, an employer's health plan can obtain the same brand-name prescription drugs from countries like Canada at those countries' lower prices, giving American employers access to the fair prices their peers abroad enjoy. 'Our mission is to eliminate wasteful pharmacy spending for employers,' said Mike McLain, Co-Founder of Limitless Consulting. 'Policymakers talk about matching international prices with a 'Most Favored Nation' policy, but employers can't afford to wait for Washington. It's the equivalent of buying groceries at the airport; if the same items cost five times more there than at your local store, you wouldn't keep paying that markup. Yet that's what's happening with many specialty drugs. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made headlines but left out any price-parity fix, so we took action to deliver those savings immediately in a legal, seamless way. The result is better financial stewardship for organizations and better access to medicine for employees.' A key differentiator of the Pharmacy Stewardship Program is that it requires no disruption to the employer's existing benefit plans or vendors. Companies do not have to alter their current plan design or switch insurance carriers, PBMs, consultants, or formularies. The program functions as an overlay alongside the existing setup. First, it analyzes the employer's claims data (No PII or Member ID needed) to identify which high-cost prescriptions have less expensive equivalents in Tier 1 countries. For those select drugs, the program offers employees an alternative: they can receive the same medication shipped directly to their home at no cost. Meanwhile, the employer purchases these medications via Limitless's vetted international pharmacy network at a fraction of the U.S. cost; it is so much less that the company can pay 100% of the drug's price and still save significantly. All medications provided through the program are FDA-approved. The entire process uses an established legal pathway and accredited foreign pharmacies, operating under strict federal guidelines to ensure full compliance with U.S. law. For employers, the solution is plug-and-play: no legal risk, no headaches, and immediate savings. Early adopters of the Pharmacy Stewardship Program are seeing dramatic results. On average, employers save roughly $1.5 million per year for every 1,000 employees enrolled (about an 8:1 return on investment). Many organizations have slashed their pharmacy spend by 50% or more (some up to 80%), all while employees continue to get the medications they need without interruption. Importantly, these savings aren't achieved by limiting use or shifting costs to employees, but simply by paying a fair price for the same drugs. 'It's rare to find a benefits initiative that both slashes costs and improves the member experience, but that's exactly what we're doing,' McLain said. Free Pharmacy Plan Due Diligence Analysis: Limitless Consulting is currently offering a complimentary pharmacy spend analysis for qualified employers. This no-obligation review of recent prescription claims will quantify an organization's potential savings under the program. Given the potential six- or seven-figure impact, taking advantage of the free analysis is prudent due diligence for any executive team reviewing benefit costs. 'Every CFO and HR executive owes it to their organization to at least explore these savings,' added McLain. 'Looking into this option isn't just about cost reduction; it's about fulfilling your duty to manage resources wisely. We've made it risk-free to see the opportunity. The sooner you evaluate it, the sooner you can start saving.' Amid rising healthcare costs and stalled government solutions, the Pharmacy Stewardship Program offers employers a much-needed lifeline to regain control of pharmacy spending without waiting on Washington. To request a free analysis or learn more, visit and click the ' Get Started ' tab. About Limitless Consulting Limitless Consulting Group LLC is a healthcare strategy and solutions firm dedicated to reducing costs and improving outcomes in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Based in Colorado, Limitless specializes in innovative pharmacy benefit solutions that emphasize transparency, compliance, and system integrity. The company's flagship Pharmacy Stewardship Program helps self-funded employers achieve global-equivalent pricing on prescription drugs with no disruption to existing plans. The Limitless team brings decades of experience in pharmacy benefit management, clinical operations, and healthcare policy. For more information, visit Limitless Rx Solutions | Media Relations Limitless Consulting +1 719-789-2268 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Study Finds Trump's Most Favored Nation Drug Proposal Could Still Raise Out-of-Pocket Costs Without PBM Reform
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors may rise under President Trump's Most Favored Nation (MFN) proposal if policymakers do not address the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), according to a brief released today by the Pioneer Institute. Smith and Popovian's brief hypothesize that under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), PBMs faced lost revenue due to federal price controls, leading them to shift costs to patients. According to Pioneer Institute's IRA Tool, out-of-pocket costs rose by 32 p Share The MFN proposal aims to link U.S. drug prices to the lowest prices in developed countries. However, if rebate contracting remains in place, lower drug prices could still translate into higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors, who may be forced to skip medications to avoid the financial burden. 'We can say with confidence that pharmacy benefit managers are profiting substantially from rebates, fees, and concessions tied to popular medications commonly prescribed to seniors,' said Dr. Bill Smith, co-author of the brief with Dr. Robert Popovian. 'These rebate payments can reach into the billions each year, creating strong incentives for PBMs to maintain the current system, even though many seniors on Medicare cannot afford the rising out-of-pocket costs. Policymakers must address this imbalance and ensure drug pricing works for patients, not just middlemen.' Under the current U.S. pharmaceutical market, PBMs negotiate deals with drug manufacturers promising better coverage in exchange for rebates, various concessions, and fees. To fulfill these contracts, PBMs may increase patients' out-of-pocket costs or impose extra paperwork to steer patients toward certain drugs. While generous rebates can sometimes reduce costs and administrative burdens, the system also incentivizes PBMs to favor higher-priced drugs that offer larger rebates, resulting in higher overall patient costs. This rebate system is largely unregulated and operates behind the scenes. PBMs argue rebates help lower overall drug costs and keep insurance premiums down. However, the lack of transparency creates incentives that don't always benefit patients. Smith and Popovian's brief hypothesize that under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), PBMs faced lost revenue due to federal price controls, leading them to shift costs to patients. According to Pioneer Institute's IRA Tool, out-of-pocket costs rose by 32 percent on average for nine commonly prescribed drugs, with seven seeing significant increases. 'Simply put, for the drugs with prices lowered by federal controls, seniors ended up paying more out-of-pocket,' said Dr. Popovian. 'If drug prices fall under the President's new policy but the flawed rebate system remains, patients will still struggle to afford their medications, and well-intentioned policies will backfire.' This warning follows last month's launch by Pioneer, a public tool to monitor the real impact of federal drug price controls under the IRA. The Medicare Drug Access Tracker focuses on Medicare patients served by the four largest PBMs, which cover 87 percent of the market, tracking whether price controls improve affordability over time. Pioneer's initial analysis found out-of-pocket costs increased for seven of nine drugs studied. Key findings include an average cost increase from $74.51 to $98.42 and individual drug cost hikes ranging from $10.56 to $316.81. The public can access the tool at and the full study at Dr. William S. Smith is Senior Fellow & Director of Pioneer Life Sciences Initiative. Dr. Smith has 25 years of experience in government and in corporate roles. His career includes senior staff positions for the Republican House leadership on Capitol Hill, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Massachusetts Governor's office where he served under Governors Weld and Cellucci. He spent ten years at Pfizer Inc as Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy where he was responsible for Pfizer's corporate strategies for the U.S. policy environment. He later served as a consultant to major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. Dr. Smith earned his PhD in political science with distinction at The Catholic University of America. Dr. Robert Popovian is the Founder of the strategic consulting firm Conquest Advisors. He also serves as Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, Senior Healthy Policy Fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, and Visiting Health Policy Fellow at the Pioneer Institute. He previously served as Vice President, U.S. Government Relations at Pfizer. One of the country's foremost experts on every significant facet of biopharmaceuticals and the healthcare industry, he is a recognized authority on health economics, policy, government relations, medical affairs, and strategic planning. To learn more about Dr. Popovian please click here. Pioneer empowers Americans with choices and opportunities to live freely and thrive. Working with state policymakers, we use expert research, educational initiatives, legal action and coalition-building to advance human potential in four critical areas: K-12 Education, Health, Economic Opportunity, and American Civic Values.
Globe and Mail
24-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management research shows Trump's drug pricing cap could shrink US economy and reduce innovation
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany , June 24, 2025 /CNW/ -- U.S. President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order on May 12, 2025 , directing the Department of Health and Human Services to communicate "Most-Favored-Nation" price targets to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Under the order, U.S. patients must pay no more than the lowest price available for the same drug in any comparably developed nation. Trump's Executive Order risks reducing the health sector's amount of funding for innovation, and thus negatively impacting U.S. GDP, warns health economist, Afschin Gandjour, from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Professor Gandjour explores the economic trade-offs of international reference pricing. He states that by lowering allowable prices without addressing structural inefficiencies, Trump's order risks reducing the funds available for innovation, employment, and capital investment domestically. Focusing on brand-name drugs (which make up 80% of drug spending), Professor Gandjour found that around 16% of industry revenues are reinvested in domestic R&D and capital projects. With U.S. brand-name drug spending estimated at $482 billion, and assuming 50% of that spending goes to domestically manufactured drugs, about $241 billion accrues to the local economy. However, 41% is absorbed by intermediaries – providers, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers – with $142 billion reaching manufacturers. Of this, approximately $23 billion is reinvested in the U.S. driving a total GDP contribution of $46 billion, based on the assumption that for every dollar reinvested, an additional dollar is generated through activity before and after production. Professor Gandjour's analysis suggests that a significant price cut under the new Executive Order would likely decrease reinvestment in innovation and GDP growth. Although Americans pay significantly higher drug prices, a substantial amount remains within the U.S. economy. Inefficiencies come from features of the U.S. health system itself – including the high degree of financialization in the pharmaceutical sector and intermediaries that absorb a large portion of profit. Even if high pharmaceutical prices stimulate the U.S. economy through reinvestment and multiplier effects, the immediate financial burden falls disproportionately on patients. This is primarily a problem of how health expenditures are financed, not of drug pricing. "Policy responses focused solely on international reference pricing may overlook deeper inefficiencies in both the allocation and financing of pharmaceutical spending. The real challenge is not determining how high drug prices should be, but how effectively spending is translated into domestic value creation," says Professor Gandjour. About Frankfurt School of Finance & Management Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (FS) is a private business school accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. The university focuses on finance, economics and management, and offers Bachelor, Master, MBA and doctoral programmes as well as executive education courses and seminars for professionals and trainees. Frankfurt School is regularly placed among the top performers in major university rankings. For example, it ranks 41 st in the latest Financial Times (FT) European Business School Ranking and is listed as the best German business school in the Times Higher Education Global University Employability Ranking. In the latest UTD Top 100 Business School Research Rankings Frankfurt School has also secured the top position in Germany . In addition to the main Frankfurt campus, Frankfurt School has study centres in Hamburg and Munich and is globally connected with over 125 partner universities.
