House Democrats are aiming to insert a drug-pricing proposal into the next COVID-19 relief bill, several lobbyists told STAT. The proposal would allow states to regain some of the costs sustained in Medicaid programs when drugmakers increase drug prices. (STAT)
The Food and Drug Administration denied an accelerated approval for Merck’s Keytruda as a therapy for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. The agency has asked for more data from the company’s Keynote-522 study. (Endpoints News)
Walgreens executive Rick Gates said COVID-19 vaccines should be widely available by the spring. The company is part of a federal program that will send vaccine doses to retail pharmacies across the U.S. starting this week. (CNBC Weekly)
The federal government will begin sending vaccines to community health centers across the U.S. next week. As part of an effort to boost vaccinations in vulnerable communities, the government will send doses to about 250 sites in the first phase of the program. (Politico)
Uber and Walgreens are partnering to offer free rides to vaccination sites for members of underserved communities. Uber will add features to its app that will help people learn when vaccines are available, and has committed to 10 million discounted rides to vaccination appointments. (Business Insider)
