Thoughtful article on the rise of direct-to-patient websites that major drugmakers are launching. A worthwhile read from @brianreid and @PeterNeumann11 on how manufacturers are experimenting with new access and engagement models. Read it here: @Health_Affairs

Good news! @bobjherman is BACK!

Last month, @A_Ciaccia joined @sarahkemond @CoraOpsahl and @brianreid for a discussion on American drug pricing dysfunction and @icer_review’s latest report on rising brand drug launch prices. Check out the excellent discussion here:

Always neat seeing a Lincoln native playing some College Womens Hockey on ESPN U as Lola Reid and Boston U taking on Boston College

Apparently, the initial model has already changed. CMS is now saying that the MFN price is the "second lowest" price among the specified countries, not the average price among all the countries as originally proposed. That is a significant difference.

Via today's Cost Curve Apex:

The most interesting launch of 2025 is a drug you probably haven't heard of: $GSK's Blujepa, which has interesting narratives around value and "pharm-to-table" potential.

I assume that a conference championship & national title appearance (minimum) will be an every year thing, right? Because that’s the norm that’s been set for this first year parent. Congrats to our BU MIH and WIH teams. What. A. Year. ‘Till 25-26, Terrier faithful.

Some worthwhile perspective from $PFE on how the IRA's changes to the #Medicare Part D benefit redesign is hitting the business. https://t.co/nJxzSVP08m

This kiddo learned to skate on a rink in a livestock barn (really) wearing adjustable plastic skates using a wood stick — and now she’s a Hockey East Champion! I have no doubt that the best is yet to come…

I’m a simple man. I have simple desires. All I want is for DOGE to examine the fat cats gaming the 340B program.

To our American friends who may now be struggling to find health information on US websites: Please check out the Public Health Agency of Canada's website for helpful resources, updated dashboards & practical health tips. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 https://t.co/3IZTyZy8Vn

How, in the Year of our Lord 2025, can a consumer-driven company with $10 billion in revenue have computers that "go down"? @hertz

GO TERRIERS!

Comments from $PFE's Albert Bourla at #JPM25 on the impending Trump administration: "There are several people that think, for our industry, the risks outweigh the opportunities. There are other people, among them myself, who think that the opportunities outweigh the risks."

“CMS could signal how they compared the selected drugs with the alternatives, and the fact that they didn’t do that leaves everyone shrugging their shoulders and wondering what exactly the standards are," @brianreid told me.

Only it's not a #JPM25 summary. It's from a great @CT_Morrison piece ... from 2011.

A great #JPM25 summary: "Every year at JPMorgan, the mood's the thing. And this year, the mood was unmistakably optimistic. Perhaps the best part of that mood, that vibe, that intuition, is that nobody we talked to could really put their finger on Why."

Try covering the NHL. Every locker room is like the list of Will Hunting's made-up brothers. Nothing but Markie, Ricky, Danny, Terry, Mikey, Davey, Timmy, Tommy, Joey, Hartsie, Richie, Cartsie, Jakey, Cootsie, Robby, Johnny, and Brian.

Some disturbing pharmacy closure numbers released in new @Health_Affairs paper: of 88,930 retail pharmacies operating during 2010–20—29.4% had closed by 2021 h/t @brianreid. Risk for closure is higher for pharmacies in Black & Hispanic neighborhoods https://t.co/iJDd5vaaf6