After a slow start since the first US biosimilar came to market in 2015, there has been a significant increase in approvals and launches. To date, 41 have been approved in the US, with over 90 biosimilars in development. Additionally, in the upcoming months, several biosimilar launches are anticipated to meaningfully impact formularies and pharmacy benefit specialty drug spend.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains a number of health care provisions, including those that will cut Medicare drug spending by an estimated $287 billion over 10 years, according to the congressional budget office. Some of the most widely discussed changes ushered in by the IRA are several near-term changes to the Medicare Part D benefit. These changes are some of the most significant changes in Medicare regulation since the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.
When you squeeze a sealed balloon on one end, the air doesn’t simply go away; rather, it just finds another part of the balloon to expand. In other words, the air must go somewhere. The Inflation Reduction Act will create a similar dynamic with drug costs for Medicare payers and drug manufacturers.
The $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden on August 16, 2022, will have significant implications for pharma, payers, and seniors.The bill implements several significant changes like beginning in 2026, US Department of Health and Human Services will be negotiating directly with pharmaceutical companies for the 10 most expensive Medicare drugs; number increasing to 20 new Part D and B drugs in 2029.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which was signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022, represents one of the most significant pieces of healthcare legislation passed since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law introduces a number of sweeping changes with impact to Medicare Part D benefit design and price control mechanisms for drugs on the Medicare benefit. While these legislative changes will have ramifications across the healthcare ecosystem, they are likely to have a significant impact on manufacturers.
