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EVERSANA and Waltz Health have announced a merger deal intended to shake up the traditional U.S. prescription drug access model by cutting through the industry’s "misaligned incentives and fragmented patient experiences"Specifically, EVERSANA will acquire Waltz in a deal that will integrate Waltz’s software-powered drug-price marketplaces and direct-to-payer model into EVERSANA’s global commercialization services, combining EVERSANA’s existing relationships with drug manufacturers with Waltz’s technology and broad payer footprintWaltz Health Co-founder and CEO, Mark Thierer, will serve as the combined company’s new leader, while EVERSANA CEO Jim Lang will continue to serve as a board member
The pharmaceutical industry and UK government have failed to reach an agreement on changes to the 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG)Wes Streeting this week gave the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) a “private ultimatum” to either accept the government’s offer or conclude without an agreement, the latter of which has now been confirmedIn a statement sharing the news, the ABPI argued that the controversial medicines payment scheme is undermining UK patient access to innovative medicines and the competitiveness of the UK life sciences industry
The U.S. and EU have reached a trade framework capping tariffs on pharmaceutical products imported into the U.S. at 15%The announcement comes from a joint statement released by the White House that clarifies key details from the trade deal reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in JulyCritically, the statement confirms that the U.S. will cap tariffs on pharmaceutical products imported from the EU at 15%, which comprises Section 232 tariffs and the administration’s so-called Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate
Recently, both Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) issued reports highlighting growing concerns around the lack of program oversight and integrity within the 340B Drug Pricing ProgramThe J&J data brief highlights the program's exponential growth and compiles several studies demonstrating that large hospital systems and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are profiting from 340B while failing to pass along savings to patients and driving up costs for taxpayers and employers. Meanwhile, the PhRMA analysis found that drug costs for patients with commercial insurance and Medicare are nearly 200% higher at 340B hospitals than at non-340B hospitals The reports suggest that manufacturers are looking to 340B reform as a top policy goal for when U.S. lawmakers return from their August recess
China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) announced that 310 drugs were shortlisted for potential inclusion on the 2025 National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) Eli Lilly has revealed that it plans to increase the list price of Mounjaro in the UK to address “pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe.” It will now cost between £133 and £330 per injection pen, depending on dosage, compared to £92 and £122 The European Commission has added two more medicines to the list of products undergoing Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) under the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation. The new additions are tarlatamab, a biologic for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, and catequentinib, a chemical for synovial sarcoma or leiomyosarcoma
The Indian state of Goa is launching a Pricing Policy for Innovative and Life-Saving Therapies (PPILT) to make cancer and rare disease treatments affordableUnder the policy, “therapies” refer to the government’s drug procurement process, where medicines are purchased from pharmaceutical companies at prices lower than the official listed ratesThis approach allows budget allocations to stretch further, enabling treatment for more patients or supporting longer therapy durations. Companies will provide rebates as credit notes or goods if the eligibility criteria are met, without altering the official tender listing price
This week, China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) unveiled the list of drugs that passed a preliminary review for inclusion on the new Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug List, but concerns abound regarding the list’s practical potential to expand access and coverageWhile finalists include innovative products like PD-1 drugs, ADCs, and CAR-T therapies, clinical specialists have expressed skepticism, with at least one expecting reimbursement rates to land between 50% and 70%, leaving patients with high out-of-pocket costsStill, the country’s commercial insurance system will likely progress in the long-term, propelled by momentum from Huiminbao, an initiative that interweaves state-funded medical insurance and commercial insurance, and Shanghai’s recent policy to incentivize insurance plan innovation for biopharmaceuticals
Eli Lilly has revealed that it plans to increase the list price of Mounjaro in the UK to address “pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe.” It will now cost between £133 and £330 per injection pen, depending on dosage, compared to £92 and £122Eli Lilly said its previous price for Mounjaro in the UK had been “significantly below the European average”. The price increase will be effective from 1st September 2025Interestingly, the move comes shortly after reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has been discussing pressuring countries to spend a higher percentage of GDP on new medicines or offering tariff breaks in exchange for higher drug spending
China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) announced that 310 drugs were shortlisted for potential inclusion on the 2025 National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL)Additionally, 121 drugs passed the preliminary review stage for possible inclusion on the new Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug ListFeedback on the preliminary results will be collected until Monday, August 18
The European Commission has added two more medicines to the list of products undergoing Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) under the EU Health Technology Assessment RegulationThe new additions are tarlatamab, a biologic for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, and catequentinib, a chemical for synovial sarcoma or leiomyosarcomaOf the eight JCAs now currently underway, two are advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), and five have orphan drug designation
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