Pharmacy
In recent months, reports of five- and six-figure annual price tags for orphan drugs have amplified long-simmering concerns.
Closing a single factory could lead to shortages of hundreds of drugs.
Sharp growth in insured rate, aging population and chronic disease are major factors in spending, though stats suggest effort to control costs.
Emflaza treats a rare, devastating neuromuscular disorder, but patients have been importing the generic version of the drug from overseas for about $1,200 a year.
Providers gain an estimated $4.5 billion in savings each year from the drug industry subsidy.
A six-month Kaiser Health News investigation found that the orphan drug program intended to help desperate patients is being manipulated by drugmakers.
Bill would require manufacturers to disclose to the insurance department the costs of production for drugs with average wholesale prices greater than $5,000 annually.
Experts say the device's price surge is way out of step with production costs, and a needless drain on healthcare resources.
PBM's facade as pro-consumer actors is cracked, will continue to erode as new scrutiny is leveled on them, says Rosenbloom.
Records reveal additional instances where Price set aside his priority of budget discipline in favor of special medical interests.