Pharma Pulse 5/15/25: Five Questions on Trump’s Plan to Lower US Drug Prices; Roche Reports Final Overall Survival Outcomes from Breast Cancer Treatment Trial

Five questions on Trump’s plan to lower US drug prices

President Trump’s new plan to lower US drug prices by tying them to the lowest prices paid in other countries aims to fulfill campaign promises and pressure the pharmaceutical industry, but faces significant legal, political, and economic hurdles, with uncertain impact on actual patient costs.

Roche reports final overall survival outcomes from breast cancer treatment trial

Roche’s final results from the Phase III APHINITY trial confirm that adding Perjeta to Herceptin and chemotherapy offers a sustained overall survival benefit for patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, particularly those with lymph node-positive disease, without new safety concerns.

Bayer’s Continued Restructuring Claims 2,000 Jobs and Thins Management Layers

Bayer cut 2,000 jobs in Q1 2025—mostly management roles—as part of its ongoing global restructuring under the Dynamic Shared Ownership model, aiming to streamline operations across all divisions while grappling with flat overall sales and continued pricing pressures in global pharma markets.

Reshema Kemps-Polanco: Taking Risks for Greater Reward

In an interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Reshema Kemps-Polanco, EVP, CCO, Novartis US, discussed her commitment to democratizing health outcomes by expanding equitable access to innovative treatments, empowering teams, and driving patient-focused leadership across the healthcare industry.

Carefully Consider Optimal Timing of RSV Vaccination in Older Adults

A recent narrative review recommends administering RSV vaccines to older adults—especially those with chronic conditions—between August and October to align with regional seasonal peaks and maximize protection against severe respiratory infections.