Competition for unique, early-stage drugs has become so intense that the average upfront payment for a Phase I asset has risen to approximately $350 million. But don’t be fooled by the smaller upfront payments for later, Phase III assets. It’s not that they’re less valuable; it’s just that the deals are structured to keep options…
An oral formulation of Wegovy may facilitate initiation of treatment for some patients, particularly those who dislike injections. However, the primary reason most patients stop GLP-1 therapy is not the delivery method — it’s the side effects. Nausea, GI issues, and overall tolerability remain the most significant barriers to long-term adherence. A pill may improve…
When private equity firms take over hospitals and elder care facilities, the core mission of care often gets replaced by a mission of financial extraction. Cost-cutting becomes the primary lever for profit, leading to understaffing, worker burnout, reduced quality of care, and the erosion of patient dignity — especially among vulnerable elderly populations. Healthcare workers…
The pharma industry faces a profound trust crisis, but a forward-thinking minority within the sector recognizes that the solution lies not in defensive marketing, but in genuine patient-centricity. These innovators understand a counterintuitive truth: by placing patient needs genuinely first—through transparent pricing, accessible medications, and meaningful engagement—pharmaceutical companies can rebuild trust and unlock sustainable profitability….
Recent reports that some drugmakers negotiated individual pricing deals with Trump—and now claim they are exempt from Medicare drug price negotiations—reveal a more profound truth: we will likely never know the actual price of drugs, and Americans will likely never get truly lower prices. Not because it’s impossible, but because the pharma pricing system is designed…
When pharma agencies fail, it’s usually because they’re too busy playing it safe, making things look pretty, or getting lost in internal politics to focus on what patients and doctors actually need. The agencies that get it right are the ones obsessed with real human behavior and the choices people make every day. They treat…
AI shapes patient drug perceptions before promotion begins It undermines fair balance without regulatory oversight Patients misinterpret risk when context is removed Delayed treatment and non-adherence affect outcomes and trust Ignoring AI increases safety and reputational risk AI may feel like a consumer tech issue, but its impact lands squarely in pharma’s world. When patients…
Every election, we hear the same old song: a bold promise to finally “take on Big Pharma.” This time, it’s Donald Trump in the spotlight, claiming he’s brokered a deal to bring down drug prices. And sure, a few prices might dip for a little while. But let’s not mistake a few targeted discounts for…
The whole point of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to make health insurance something regular people could actually get and afford. A considerable part of that has been the extra help with monthly premiums that started with the American Rescue Plan and was later extended. These subsidies have been a lifeline, helping millions of…
Coverage reductions are increasing: Major insurers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Massachusetts, and North Carolina’s State Health Plan, have either dropped or significantly restricted coverage of GLP-1 for weight loss in 2024-2025. Rising costs: Employers report that GLP-1 drugs have moved from position 32 to the top spot in pharmacy spending within a…