The Trump administration is both restricting and strengthening PBMs in its effort to curb drug prices. Statements from various administration officials have both disparaged these “middlemen” and empowered them, and health policy experts don’t know what to think. (STAT)
Pfizer teams with Exact Sciences to promote Cologuard. As part of an extended marketing campaign, Pfizer will help promote the at-home colon cancer screening to doctors and health systems. The deal extends until the end of 2021. (BioPharma Dive)
A tech company is developing a microchip for dementia patients. Three Square Market’s voice-activated chip will enable GPS tracking and monitor vital signs to help doctors treat Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. The company expects the chip to be ready in 2019, after which it will seek FDA approval. (CNBC)
In a small study, the combination of Opdivo and Yervoy improved survival rates for the most serious form of skin cancer. The two BMS drugs raised survival rates after one year to 82% for patients with melanoma that has spread to the brain. The disease traditionally has less than 20% survival after one year. (New York Times)
AstraZeneca’s inhaler falls short of rival GSK treatment in a trial. AstraZeneca’s Bevespi Aerosphere is already approved in the U.S. to treat COPD, but did not outperform GSK’s Anoro in a phase 3 study. AstraZeneca claimed the findings were inconsistent with previous studies. (Reuters)
