Here’s some good news:
Drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions are among 15 picked for negotiations that could result in lower prices for patients, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday.
The 15 drugs selected by HHS are all covered under Medicare Part D and represent the second round of negotiations between drug companies and the department, with a goal of lowering costs for Medicare patients.
And the good news:
Popular diabetes drugs Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, which are also used for weight loss are among the 15 announced Friday.
Hooray! Let me tell you, as one who has to take Ozempic for diabetes (at $60 per shot per week), this is welcome.
But wait! There’s more!
Negotiations between the government agency and drug companies will take place this year with any agreed upon price changes taking effect in 2027.
…by which time I could be dead. How nice. Even better:
Drug manufacturers can choose whether or not to enter negotiations with the government for a collective price for Medicare patients.
Any bets as to who will decline the offer?
I’d love to see the cost of quite a few drugs come down in price. Give big pharma the incentive that any drug produced overseas must be sold in the US for pennies on the dollar.
We won’t see the price of Jardiance come down until they stop with all the dancing fat people commercials.
I tried Ozempic for almost 6 months. It got impossible to find because of so many people using it for weight loss.