In this week's Pharma Pulse, Cencora agrees to acquire American Oncology Network, five major employers back electronic prior authorization for self-funded health plans and FDA finalizes its guidance on prescription drug apps and software.
Commentary|Podcasts|February 5, 2026
Pharma Pulse: Transparency Mandates and the Novartis Patent Storm
Author(s)Nicholas Saraceno, Senior Editor
In today’s Pharma Pulse, the biopharma landscape enters a transformative phase as the US signs landmark PBM reforms into law, while Novartis braces for the largest patent expiration cycle in its history.
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Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and let’s get into today’s headlines.
- A new era of transparency has arrived. President Trump has signed the
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, enacting sweeping PBM reforms. The law effectively "delinks" PBM compensation from drug list prices in Medicare Part D, mandating flat administrative fees instead of retained rebates. PBMs must now pass through 100% of rebates to payers and disclose once-hidden "spread pricing" data, a move experts say could finally lower out-of-pocket costs for millions. - Meanwhile, despite strong 2025 growth, Novartis is hitting what CEO Vas Narasimhan calls the "largest patent expiry in Novartis history." With heavyweights like Entresto and Tasigna losing exclusivity, the Swiss giant is
pivoting hard toward its strong pipeline and next-gen radioligands to bridge the gap through 2026.
That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit
Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.
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