A screengrab from the BIO advertisement, Time is Precious

1. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a lobbying group, said that the Institute for Clinical and Economics Review should receive more scrutiny for its ties to the insurance industry. ICER’s primary aim is to develop an independent pricing system for pharmaceuticals. (The Hill)

2. More than 11% of Americans reported nonmedical use of prescription opioids at some point in their lives from 2012-2013. Only 4.7% reported nonmedical use of opioids in 2001-2002.  (NIH)

3. The Independent Payment Advisory Board, a cost-cutting mechanism introduced under the Affordable Care Act, will not be activated this year, the government announced. The President-appointed panel has the authority to propose cuts to Medicare payments that could affect drugmakers, biotechs, hospitals and insurers. (Bloomberg)

4. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said that Flumist, a flu vaccine manufactured by MedImmune, should not be administered during the upcoming flu season. Scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the vaccine has not worked in recent years. (STAT)

5. Sanofi is considering adding milestone payments to its bid for Medivation. The Paris-based drugmaker has already extended a $9.3 billion takeover offer. (Bloomberg)