Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Photo credit: Getty Images
1. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the longest serving Republican senator in U.S. history, will not seek reelection when his term expires in a year. Hatch authored the Hatch-Waxman Act and championed the Orphan Drug Act, easing approval for generic and orphan drugs, respectively, among many other legislative initiatives. (KUTV)
2. Drugmakers kicked off 2018 by making their medicines more expensive in the U.S. — although in response to past furor from consumers and politicians alike, most of the increases don’t exceed 10 percent. Allergan, Amgen,Teva, and Horizon are among those raising prices. (Reuters)
3. The price for a breakthrough genetic therapy that can restore sight to those suffering from a rare form of inherited blindness has been announced — and, as experts predicted, it’s expensive: $850,000. Its maker, Spark Therapeutics, will offer novel discounts based on whether the treatment works and remains effective. (Bloomberg)
4. Why do prices for drugs continue to rise? Last year, the drug industry spent a substantial amount of time and money trying to convince Americans that the blame lies with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). (WaPo)
5. A heart device made by Johnson & Johnson has been recalled by the FDA over concerns about a faulty valve. (Reuters)
