NASEM report offers strategies to make prescription drugs more affordable

Nov 30, 2017 - 09:17 AM

Access to effective and affordable medicines is necessary for public health, social equity, and economic development, but the biopharmaceutical sector is not meeting that need, according to a report released today by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. “Our report seeks to address the market failures that currently permeate the biopharmaceutical sector, such as lack of competition due to distortions in the application of the patent protection process, the imbalance between the negotiating power of suppliers and purchasers, and the convoluted structure of the supply chain,” the authors note. The report offers eight recommendations with 27 actions to improve the affordability of prescription drugs without discouraging the development of new and more effective drugs for the future. Among other measures, the report recommends improving methods for assessing the value that drugs provide and ensuring that incentives to develop drugs for rare diseases are not extended to widely sold drugs; taking actions to continually foster greater access to off-patent generic drugs; and discouraging direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs. 

Related News Articles

Headline
U.S. uninsured rate increased between 2023 and 2024
The Census Bureau reported (https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2025/demo/acsbr-024.pdf) that the uninsured rate increased nationally to 8.2% in 2024…
Perspective
Gearing Up for a Busy Fall as We Urge Congress to Support Hospitals and Protect Access to Care
Public
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., this week facing a long list of things to do, including several that will impact hospitals’ ability to provide access to…
Headline
HHS announces expansion of health coverage access through new hardship guidance
The Department of Health and Human Services Sept. 4 announced new hardship exemption guidance that would allow consumers ineligible for premium tax credits or…
Headline
CMS announces changes to AHEAD Model for states
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center Sept. 2 announced changes to the Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design…
Headline
Analysis projects increases in state uninsured rates following passage of budget reconciliation bill
A KFF analysis published Aug. 20 provides a state-by-state allocation of Congressional Budget Office estimates that 10 million people could be uninsured by…
Headline
CMS launches oversight of Medicaid, CHIP enrollees to ensure immigration status
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced a nationwide initiative aimed at reinforcing eligibility standards for Medicaid and the…