Market Access

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers how Mark Cuban’s direct-to-consumer pharmacy is challenging traditional drug pricing models, AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion investment to expand its Virginia manufacturing site, and Bristol Myers Squibb’s $1.5 billion acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics to advance RNA-based medicines.

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.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers the potential ramifications of a federal government shutdown on FDA operations, Aetna’s newly announced 2026 Medicare Advantage offerings, and new research showing maternal and child mortality rates in the US remain higher than in most high-income nations.

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.

This guide shows how to move beyond rear-view reporting and transform data into actionable strategies that drive payer engagement, sharpen planning, and maximize brand performance.

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.

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.

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

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.

A federal judge tripled damages against the pharmacy benefits manager after finding it encouraged inflated Medicare drug claims and underpaid pharmacies.

Payer-level reporting should do more than track performance—it must guide strategy, focus resources, and drive measurable brand impact.

As over half of Americans now receive prescriptions through Medicare or Medicaid, pharma companies must shift from a commercial-first approach to a statutory-first model, making GTN governance a C-suite priority for long-term brand survival.

As pharma drug pricing debates heat up, the 340B program faces mounting challenges from outdated regulations, duplicate discounts, and limited transparency.

In the first part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Dave Malenfant, a healthcare supply chain expert, explains how steep pharmaceutical import tariffs might affect costs at different points in the supply chain, why component pricing poses a bigger risk than active ingredients, and how insurers, distributors, and manufacturers may negotiate to shield patients from price increases.

Conversation with chief tech expert explores AI’s rise in the support space—and separating the substance from the noise.

This episode of Pharma Pulse covers Vinay Prasad’s return to lead the FDA’s biologics center after a brief resignation, new research on severe COVID-19 risks for childhood cancer survivors, and the strategies pharma companies are adopting to stay competitive amid escalating healthcare costs.

In the final part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Philip Sclafani, PwC's pharmaceutical and life sciences lead, discusses operational and pricing strategies pharma executives can adopt to navigate sustained cost inflation, including supply chain optimization, payer collaboration, and value-based approaches to ensure patient access and affordability.

The GSK Flovent example highlights the consequences for patients and pharma of the decision to eliminate the Medicaid rebate cap.

In the second part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Philip Sclafani, PwC's pharmaceutical and life sciences lead, discusses how the pharmaceutical industry is balancing high-cost innovation, especially in obesity and metabolic disease, with payer demands for cost containment, highlighting the growing role of biosimilars and future generics in offsetting spend.

The online weight loss company launches a $119 starter plan using low-dose semaglutide and behavioral coaching to improve access, reduce side effects, and support sustainable weight loss.

In the first part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Philip Sclafani, PwC's pharmaceutical and life sciences lead, shares how he foresees the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshaping prescription drug spending, and what strategies pharmaceutical companies adopt to mitigate its potential impact on innovation, R&D investment, and M&A activity.

The Spain-based CDMO strengthens its North American presence and capabilities through its purchase, while also acquiring a new rare disease treatment from Sanofi one month prior.