Institute for Clinical and Economic Review Publishes Final Evidence Report on Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

ICER released a Final Evidence Report on tavapadon (Juvmo, AbbVie Inc.) for Parkinson’s Disease on Tuesday.

Dan Ollendorf, PhD, MPH, ICER's Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Health Technology Assessment Methods and Engagement, stated:

“Tavapadon provides a net health benefit over no additional pharmacological treatment, but there are open questions about its benefits compare to other available symptomatic treatments. Unfortunately, the manufacturer chose a price for tavapadon far above any reasonable estimate of a value-based price. This may lead payers to implement formulary restrictions to limit provider and patient access to this new treatment.”

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Democrats win power to push back on Trump’s health care moves

STAT

Democrats broke the Republican trifecta of power in Washington Tuesday night, securing powerful new tools to push back on the Trump administration’s health agenda.

Several Democrats in Congress have been particularly interested in the secretive deals between the Trump administration and drug companies, which the president claimed would lead to enormous savings for American patients. Exactly what the drug companies gave up in the deals — and what was offered in return by the federal government — remains unclear.

Democratic lawmakers have also focused on Kennedy’s impact on vaccination rates and infrastructure across the U.S. That, as well as the significant staff reductions and changes at federal health agencies, could become a yearslong focus for investigators. 

CVS Says Pressure From States, Congress Factored Into Split Of Pharmacy, Health Care Operations

Inside Health Policy

Pressure from states and federal lawmakers for pharmacy benefit managers to stop vertical integration factored into CVS Health’s move Wednesday (Nov. 4) to split its pharmacy and health care solution businesses into two companies, CVS CEO David Joyner said.

The massive health care and retail conglomerate specifically announced plans to reverse its 2018 acquisition of the insurer Aetna and break itself down into two potential leading health care companies, one consisting of its retail and mail-order pharmacies with the other dedicated to health care solution services like Caremark, its PBM.

Medicare Part D premiums are spiking 50% on average next year, KFF finds

BioPharma Dive

Millions of seniors in standalone Medicare prescription drug plans could see their premiums skyrocket next year if they don’t switch to a cheaper option. Average monthly premiums for Part D plans are set to jump 50%, from $34 to $51 in 2027 — assuming seniors stay on their current plans, according to a new analysis from the KFF.

But premiums for plans on offer vary widely, ranging from $6 to $204 among national Part D carriers, the KFF found. Researchers with the health policy think tank stressed the importance of plan shopping during Medicare open enrollment, which runs until Dec. 7.

Dueling Visions to Improve Value in Medicare—Price or Prevention?

JAMA Internal Medicine (Viewpoint)

Researchers from Brown University School of Public Health examined CMMI’s progress in pursuing value-based payment (VBP) models. They stated:

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) price-based reforms, with or without the help of CMMI, should not stop with pharmaceuticals. Rather than imposing blunt, across-the-board payment reductions, reforms should target services for which prices are demonstrably misaligned with the costs and value of care.”

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Key Upcoming Dates

• 11/30: Hypertension — Final Evidence Report
• 12/10: Friedrich's Ataxia — Evidence Report

Learn more about ICER’s ongoing and recently completed reports:

• Depression: Treatment-Resistant
• Friedreich’s Ataxia
• Huntington's disease
• Hypertension
• Parkinson's Disease

Email info@icer.org for more information.

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