By Ed Silverman
June 15, 2026
Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. So time to give it a little nudge in a better direction by firing up our spiffy new kettle — the last one overheated — for a cup of stimulation. Given this is the start of the week, we are reaching for Jack Daniels. Yes, this is a real option for aspiring connoisseurs. Feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you along. Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and of course, do keep in touch. …
The Trump administration proposed to change a policy that is designed to prevent drugmakers from avoiding Medicare price negotiation by adding active ingredients to drugs , STAT tells us. The policy is part of an annual proposed rule that establishes the process that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services uses to choose the next 20 drugs and biologics for price negotiation. Those drugs will be announced by Feb. 1, 2027, and their negotiated prices will take effect in 2029. Iif a company adds a second drug to one that is eligible for negotiation, the FDA considers the resulting combination drug a new product, giving it additional time before price negotiation. Now, the administration is proposing to subject certain types of combination biologics to negotiation in some cases.
German Health Minister Nina Warken said that drugmakers will not be exempted from cost-cutting measures, after some companies warned they may be unable to launch innovative medicines in Europe unless governments agree to pay more than they historically have , Reuters writes. Proposed legislation in Germany will cap rapidly growing costs in the statutory health insurance system. Warken said she realizes many drug companies are under pressure, and the planned legislation is not going to bring them any extra revenue. But she maintained Germany remains an attractive location for the pharmaceutical industry thanks to reimbursement under the statutory health insurance scheme and opportunities for clinical trials. So exempting the industry from the proposed legislation is out of the question.
STAT+ Exclusive Story
Already have an account? Log in
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.
Already have an account? Log in
View All Plans
To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.
Subscribe
Read the full article at STAT News →📄Source document: FDA Authorization for Colorado Drug Importation→4 reports
Bloomberg NewsParty-aligned🔒Center4 days agoThe Trump administration is reportedly considering exempting 'healthy' foods and infant formulas from its proposed definition of ultra-processed foods. These exemptions would apply to foods meeting existing FDA standards for 'healthy' food.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a potential regulatory change without taking a stance or using biased language. It presents information based on unnamed sources and does not favor any particular political perspective.
STAT NewsIndependentCenter6 days agoThe FDA has approved Colorado's plan to import prescription drugs from Canada in an effort to reduce medication costs for residents. This makes Colorado the second U.S. state to receive such authorization after Florida. The practice of importing drugs from Canada has been ongoing for over 25 years, but formal regulatory support only began under the Trump administration in 2020, with the Biden administration affirming the policy through an executive order in 2021.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the FDA's decision and provides historical context regarding drug importation policies. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content remains neutral in tone and focuses on procedural developments rather
STAT NewsIndependentCenter6 days ago STAT+: FDA approves Colorado’s plan to import cheaper drugs from CanadaThe FDA has approved Colorado's plan to import prescription drugs from Canada in an effort to reduce medication costs for residents. This makes Colorado the second U.S. state to receive such authorization after Florida. The practice of importing drugs from Canada has been ongoing for over 25 years, but formal regulatory support only began under the Trump administration in 2020, with the Biden administration affirming the policy through an executive order in 2021.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the FDA's decision and provides historical context regarding drug importation policies. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content remains neutral in tone and focuses on procedural developments rather
STAT NewsIndependentCenter6 days ago STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and moreThe article discusses recent developments in pharmaceutical regulation, including the Trump administration's proposal to modify policies preventing drugmakers from circumventing Medicare price negotiations by combining active ingredients into existing drugs. It also mentions ongoing updates related to Pfizer's emergency penicillin program and a Sanofi diabetes drug.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on a policy proposal from the Trump administration but does not frame it with clear ideological slant. The content remains descriptive and factual, focusing on regulatory changes rather than taking a立场
United States