Consumer Driven Health Care

A private equity firm accused of trying to build a monopoly in radiology was dismissed as a defendant in an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission against U.S. Anesthesia Partners in Texas.

Senator Bernie Sanders is upping the pressure on Novo Nordisk to lower the cost of Wegovy in the U.S., although the Danish drugmaker asserts it charges lower prices in Europe because governments there can negotiate prices.

"These are multisided giants that are accumulating assets at an alarming rate and are becoming the new intermediaries and gatekeepers of our health care system," said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Jonathan Kanter.

A big part of the solution is for employers to advocate for themselves and probe for deeper information when comparing plans.

The agency has stepped up its campaign against drugmakers' improper listing of patents in the FDA's Orange Book, which it contends are ploys intended to delay generic competition, by disputing junk patent listings for 300 drugs.

Providers, insurers and regulators need to come together to ensure the safe use of these drugs, mitigate failed treatment attempts, reduce side effects and provide better insurance plans to support patients in need.

The BIOSECURE Act seeks to sever ties with some Chinese biotech players, however, these firms are heavily embedded in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, which is already struggling with widespread drug shortages.

Boehringer Ingelheim, one of 10 companies sent a warning letter by the FTC disputing the accuracy of patent listings in the FDA's Orange Book, was hit with an class action lawsuit, alleging that the company is using expired patents.