Market Access

In today’s Pharma Pulse, learn how digital pharmacy safety gaps, Novo Nordisk’s introductory programs for Wegovy and Ozempic, and Scott Gottlieb’s new role at UnitedHealth are shaping patient access and industry strategy.

The company is launching new self-pay pricing options, expanded savings programs, and partnerships with telehealth and retail providers. all while its obesity portfolio gains momentum under the FDA’s National Priority Voucher program.

The nationally licensed pharmacy network now supports Ethereum, Solana, and XRP across all retail locations, marking a major step toward faster, more transparent payments—and laying the groundwork for a blockchain-based prescription drug payment system.

This episode of Pharma Pulse discusses how the FDA’s new plausible mechanism pathway, WeightWatchers’ plans to offer oral Wegovy, and emerging evidence on berberine are shaping the future of obesity and metabolic health care.

As FDA fast-tracks GLP-1 treatments under its new pilot National Priority Voucher program, WeightWatchers prepares to position itself to compete in the fast-evolving weight-loss drug market driven by affordability and accessibility.

Launching next year, the new CMS Innovation Center initiative—known as the GENEROUS Model—aims to align Medicaid drug prices with global standards, reduce prescription spending, and strengthen the program’s long-term sustainability through fairer state purchasing and transparent pricing rules.

Lilly announced a new agreement with the Trump administration to expand access to its GLP-1 therapies, including Zepbound and orforglipron, offering the drugs to Medicare beneficiaries for $50 per month and through Medicaid programs starting in 2026.

Pharma’s push into direct-to-patient sales is reshaping the front end of drug distribution, but wholesalers like Cencora, McKesson, and Cardinal Health remain indispensable as the backbone of the industry’s regulated, specialty, and logistics infrastructure.

As the three models converge, expect a bigger role for sales reps, minimal impact on incentive compensation, and a boon to the healthcare system.

At HLTH 2025, the entrepreneur announced a collaboration between Cost Plus Drugs and President Trump’s TrumpRx platform aimed at improving transparency, reducing drug costs, and reshaping how Americans access their prescriptions.

Aetna, Devoted Health, and UnitedHealth headline the list best Medicare Advantage insurers for next year, while Centene and Humana lead the pack in Part D prescription drug coverage.

A planned 100% tariff on branded and patented drugs from Singapore is being postponed as US and Singapore officials explore potential exemptions.

The appellate court upheld Medicare’s authority to negotiate lower drug prices under the Inflation Reduction Act, following similar rulings against AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Novartis.

Amid intensified competition—and evolving IRA and PBM dynamics—leaders in the access space must now adopt a strategist mindset.

Marketed as cost-saving tools, AFPs can also strain safety-net resources.

From patent cliffs and government price controls, to self-pay models and staff-model HMOs, a look at the forces that could deflate the bubble—and those factors likely to keep it afloat a while longer.

Amid pressures on pharma to match the lowest international prices, experts warn of “policy laundering” and discriminatory impact.

Capturing insights from executives and industry experts on the biggest challenges shaping pharma today, from drug pricing pressures and access barriers to supply chain shifts, digital adoption, and evolving patient-centered care strategies.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers the CDC’s unanimous vote to broaden COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for all adults, new data showing the Medicare Part D Senior Savings Model lowers insulin costs and improves care, and Eli Lilly’s investment in a new Houston manufacturing facility to support its fast-growing pipeline.

The draft assessment finds that the popular weight loss drugs are costly but worth the price tag, while also urging for broader coverage and policy solutions.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers the FDA’s decision to restrict bulk ingredients for compounded GLP-1 therapies, new evidence showing RSV vaccines improve cardiorespiratory outcomes in adults over 60, and pharmacy owners’ concerns over barriers to participating in the Medicaid Drug Price Negotiation Program.

By reducing waste, improving forecasting, and strengthening payer negotiations, these technologies are helping pharmaceutical companies unlock efficiency, accelerate adoption, and differentiate in competitive markets.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers ACOG’s renewed support for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, new real-world evidence confirming the safety of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin for type 2 diabetes, and a partnership between EVERSANA and Waltz Health to improve affordability and patient access.

The merger integrates EVERSANA’s commercialization services with Waltz Health’s AI-powered payer tools to address patient affordability, streamline drug access, and reduce costs for high-expense therapies such as GLP-1s.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers a $290 million False Claims Act ruling against CVS Caremark, a new report showing most small medical practices fall short on HIPAA compliance, and research revealing why pharmacists underreport adverse drug reactions.