Sep 17, 2026
Newly released records show Medicare's controversial AI-based prior authorization pilot program experienced lengthy treatment delays, technical problems, backlogs, and early warnings about contractor readiness issues.
A new modeling study published in The Lancet suggests that US Medicare's most-favored-nation pricing policy, which ties Medicare payments to prices in other high-income countries, could reduce US spending on brand-name drugs but incentivize pharmaceutical companies to increase prices or delay launches in lower-price markets like Europe.
President Trump announced plans to send $500 rebate checks to approximately 1 million Americans in 30 states who the administration claims were overcharged for Affordable Care Act coverage, with the payments expected before the November midterm elections.
The CEO of Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz cautioned that President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on generic drugs would ultimately be paid by American patients, as manufacturers could pass increased costs onto consumers.
The CEO of Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz cautioned that President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on generic drugs would ultimately be paid by American patients, as manufacturers could pass increased costs onto consumers.
Healthcare automation startup Forus raised $150 million in a Series C round led by Bain Capital Ventures, tripling its valuation to $3 billion in approximately four months. The company uses AI to accelerate patient access to specialty medicines.
UnitedHealthcare announced it is eliminating prior authorization requirements for 1,700 diagnostic and procedure codes starting in October 2026, part of its commitment to reduce utilization management controls by 30%. The move received cautious approval from healthcare experts, though some questioned the practical impact of the changes.
The Kenyan government has reached an agreement with US pharmaceutical company Pfizer that will reduce the cost of cancer medications by more than sevenfold, according to President William Ruto. The deal is expected to significantly lower treatment costs for cancer patients across the country.
Swiss generic drugmaker Sandoz has reached a settlement agreement to pay $450 million to 43 US states and territories to resolve antitrust litigation alleging anti-competitive conduct and price manipulation in the generic medicines market. The settlement includes no admission of wrongdoing and will not affect the company's financial guidance.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed cutting Medicare payments for drugs purchased under the 340B Drug Pricing Program in its 2027 rule, reigniting a long-standing dispute between safety-net hospitals and federal regulators over the program designed to help vulnerable populations access medications.
Multiple U.S. states are implementing measures to regulate pharmacy benefit management companies that oversee prescription drug coverage for health insurers, as part of efforts to reduce medication costs for consumers.
UnitedHealth's insurance unit announced it will eliminate prior approval requirements for 30% of healthcare services, reducing delays and paperwork for patients and doctors. This represents a major policy shift affecting one of the nation's largest health insurers.
Americans are expected to spend more than $1 trillion on prescription drugs in 2026, according to a new report from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The surge is largely attributed to the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case involving 'skinny labeling' practices that have significant implications for generic drug availability and access, with justices appearing to signal the practice may survive legal challenge.
CVS Health's Caremark pharmacy benefits unit reached a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to curb controversial rebate practices in the pharmacy benefits market. The agreement requires Caremark to count consumer purchases from Trump's TrumpRx program toward insurance deductibles, mirroring a similar settlement previously reached with Cigna.
The White House is negotiating new drug-pricing agreements with smaller biotechnology companies facing the threat of 100% tariffs on imported medicines, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the meetings.
The Federal Trade Commission struck a proposed settlement with CVS over charges that its pharmacy benefit manager manipulated insulin prices and impeded patient access. The FTC estimates the settlement will save Americans up to $7 billion in out-of-pocket costs over 10 years.
President Donald Trump announced that imported generic drugs will face no tariffs for two years starting August 1, 2026, after which tariffs will rise to 100% in August 2028 and 200% from 2029 onward. The policy aims to encourage domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing but raises concerns about future drug price increases for consumers.
President Trump announced that all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have agreed to participate in his administration's 'most favored nation' drug pricing initiative for Medicaid programs, which aims to lower prescription drug costs by tying prices to those paid in other countries.