The hottest Pharmaceuticals Substack posts right now

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Allopathic Violence

The Carousel • 51 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Pharmaceuticals Mental health Public Health Insurance Issues
  1. The American health and pharmaceutical system is viewed as harmful and profit-driven, often prioritizing financial gain over patient well-being. This can lead to unnecessary medical treatments and a cycle of dependency on medications.
  2. Many medical issues, especially chronic pain, can be rooted in psychological factors rather than purely physical ones. This shows a need for a more holistic approach to health instead of just treating symptoms with drugs and surgeries.
  3. When dealing with health insurance like UnitedHealthcare, it's important to understand that their role is complex. They can be a part of the problem, but often the real issue lies with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies who create unnecessary treatments.

Hub-and-Spoke Biotechs: Nimbus Therapeutics

The Century of Biology • 354 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Biotech Pharmaceuticals Investments Corporate strategy Drug Development
  1. Nimbus Therapeutics uses a unique hub-and-spoke model to develop drugs. This lets them separate the main company from individual drug projects, so they can sell successful drugs while keeping the main business intact.
  2. The company focuses on computational drug discovery to make the process faster and cheaper. By using advanced technology, they can predict which drugs might succeed before doing expensive experiments.
  3. Nimbus has successfully sold several drug assets, demonstrating the effectiveness of their model. They show that a biotech can grow and make money while being flexible and innovative.

Weight Loss Drugs Continue to Power Denmark's Economy

Apricitas Economics • 52 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics Pharmaceuticals Exports Trade Manufacturing
  1. Denmark's economy is growing mainly because of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs help people lose weight and improve health, leading to increased demand and exports.
  2. The pharmaceutical boom has made Denmark one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU, with a significant rise in drug exports to the United States. This growth has greatly benefitted Denmark's GDP.
  3. Despite the economic growth, many people in Denmark aren't feeling the benefits yet. Personal spending and investment have been stagnant, even though pharmaceutical manufacturers are earning more money.

Inconvenient History of Salk Inactivated Polio Vaccine

Who is Robert Malone • 37 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Pharmaceuticals Health Policy
  1. The Salk polio vaccine had serious safety issues, including live polio virus contamination which led to illness and deaths in children who received it. This was known as the Cutter Crisis.
  2. Bernice Eddy, a scientist who raised alarms about the vaccine's problems, faced backlash and was largely ignored for her warnings about its safety, including issues with a contaminating virus linked to cancer.
  3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aims to improve vaccine safety regulations and believes all medications, including vaccines, should undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure they are safe for public use.

Weight Watchers Expands Their Harmful Model - Adding Prescription Drugs

Weight and Healthcare • 738 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Prescription drugs Medical Industry Body positivity Pharmaceuticals
  1. Weight Watchers is expanding their model by adding prescription drugs, showing a pattern of prioritizing profits over people's well-being.
  2. Weight Watchers acquired Sequence, a telehealth company prescribing weight loss drugs with risky side effects and questionable efficacy.
  3. The company's approach includes misleading weight loss claims, lack of transparency, and a focus on short-term financial gains rather than long-term health.
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All major Covid vaccines worldwide were once declared 100% effective, but zero actually worked

The Dossier • 490 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Pharmaceuticals Government Deception Statistics
  1. 40 Covid vaccine candidates worldwide were claimed to be highly effective, but none of them actually worked.
  2. Pharmaceutical companies and governments globally falsely advertised Covid vaccines as the ultimate protection.
  3. The Covid-19 vaccine situation highlights the importance of scrutinizing statistics and not letting a crisis be exploited.

Novo Nordisk (Finally) Faces Some Consequences for Their Deceptive Marketing Tactics - Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 639 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Pharmaceuticals Marketing Deception Regulations
  1. Novo Nordisk faced consequences for deceptive marketing tactics such as using astroturf organizations and promoting their drugs without disclosing ties.
  2. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry suspended Novo Nordisk for breaching their code of practice related to a promotional course and inducing healthcare professionals to prescribe their drug.
  3. Novo Nordisk's appeal for the breach was unsuccessful, leading to public reprimand for failings and suspension for two years from ABPI membership.

Americans can't afford their out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are taking action.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 479 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Healthcare Bipartisanship Pharmaceuticals Advocacy
  1. Many Americans are struggling to afford their medication costs at the pharmacy, which is forcing them to leave without the medicines they need.
  2. Big insurance companies have gained too much control over drug prices, causing many patients to pay more at the counter while receiving less help from their insurance.
  3. Bipartisan action is happening in Congress to reform pharmacy benefit managers, with bills aiming to lower out-of-pocket costs for patients and increase price transparency.

Legislators and advocacy groups in Washington still have their sights set on PBM reform

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 179 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Advocacy Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Reform
  1. Legislators in Washington want to change how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operate because many think their practices are hurting patients and pharmacies.
  2. There is support from both political parties to reform PBMs, but lobbyists are trying to stop these changes to protect profit margins.
  3. Pharmacists and businesses need to be aware of PBM practices and take action now, as reforms could save them a lot of money and make medications more affordable.

Free lecture in San Diego - How to read trials

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 40 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Ethics Pharmaceuticals Healthcare policy Patient Advocacy
  1. There is a free lecture in San Diego about reading trials. It's a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn how to understand trial results.
  2. The lecture is unique because it is not funded by pharmaceutical companies. This might give a more unbiased view on the information being discussed.
  3. Attending this lecture could help people become more knowledgeable about medical studies. It's a chance to ask questions and get clarity on trial data.

Finally, Big Insurance's Pharmacy Benefit Managers are being probed by Congress

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy Insurance Reform Pharmaceuticals
  1. Congress is looking into how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operate. They want to make sure these companies are not overcharging people for their medications.
  2. PBMs and insurance companies are causing more financial strain on patients by raising out-of-pocket costs. Many people are struggling to afford their medications because deductibles have doubled over the past decade.
  3. There are new bills being proposed to increase transparency and reform PBM practices. This could help ensure that savings from drug manufacturers are passed on to patients.

Viking Therapeutics has an $8 billion market cap with 27 full time employees. This is their story.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 373 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Biotech Investment Startups Pharmaceuticals Economics
  1. Success in biotech often involves licensing and developing existing molecules, rather than creating completely new ones.
  2. To thrive in biotech, it's crucial to strategically select candidates and navigate clinical trials efficiently with the available resources.
  3. Viking Therapeutics' success was built on wisely choosing profitable indications, selecting the right molecules, and executing their development program effectively.

Dose number NINE: CDC panel green lights yet another Covid mRNA shot

The Dossier • 367 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Public Health Pharmaceuticals CDC Preventive Care
  1. The CDC has green-lighted a ninth Covid mRNA shot for those following the official vaccination schedule, totaling nine doses within three years.
  2. The latest shot targets a variant that no longer exists, raising questions about continued vaccinations against obsolete threats.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies may be promoting additional shots under the guise of protection against new variants, despite the variants not being present during the shot's creation.

When Doctors' Education Is Really Pharmaceutical Industry Marketing - Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 579 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Medical education Weight Stigma
  1. Doctors' education can be heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, leading to potential biases in medical practices and treatments.
  2. Some educational conferences and seminars for doctors may actually be marketing events by pharmaceutical companies, promoting certain medications or treatments.
  3. It's crucial for doctors to be aware of potential conflicts of interest and maintain objectivity in their approach to patient care, especially in fields like weight management and diabetes.

The biggest move Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can make in his new job to show vaccine fanatics that they are no longer in charge

Unreported Truths • 125 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Health Policy Pharmaceuticals Health Risks
  1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should end the CDC's recommendation for COVID mRNA vaccines for children and teens once he is confirmed as HHS secretary.
  2. There are serious health concerns with these vaccines in young people, including potential for myocarditis and other severe side effects.
  3. The CDC's current stance is seen as outdated and driven by ideology rather than science, so a shift in public health policy is needed.

Big health insurers are using Washington-based trade group the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) to bankroll ad campaigns in the DC area

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 519 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Industry Pharmaceuticals Public Health
  1. Big health insurers are using a group called PCMA to run ads in Washington to protect their profits in the pharmacy supply chain. They want everyone to think they're on the side of patients.
  2. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are making more money than traditional health insurance companies. They decide which medications people can access and how much they have to pay.
  3. The ads you're seeing about PBMs being beneficial are actually paid for by the insurers, meaning the costs are coming from the money you pay in premiums and taxes.

2 candidates for the American Presidency who threatened PHARMA-GLOBALIST HEGEMONY have been eliminated from the running: no surprise because drug companies control politics, education, the media...

DrV’s Newsletter, Notes, Essays, Articles, Videos, and Book Chapters • 176 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Pharmaceuticals Presidential Race Government Corruption Corporate Influence Pandemic response
  1. Two presidential candidates who challenged pharma-globalist power were eliminated from the race in 2024.
  2. The remaining major candidates from both parties supported pandemic measures that led to a significant increase in deaths and costs for the nation.
  3. The influence of drug companies in politics, education, and media remains significant, impacting American elections.

RSV Vaccines for Children: Still Crazy After All These Years

Who is Robert Malone • 20 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Pharmaceuticals Regulations Medical Ethics
  1. There are risks associated with RSV vaccines for children. Previous attempts to vaccinate for RSV led to severe reactions, including death, in some cases.
  2. Infants and young children, especially those who are premature, are at high risk for severe RSV disease. Most children get natural immunity by age two, making widespread vaccination less urgent.
  3. Current RSV vaccines do not prevent the infection or transmission of the virus. Instead, they aim to reduce severe illness, but for healthy children, the risks may outweigh the benefits.

Novo Nordisk Gets Caught In Shady Marketing Practices - Part 2

Weight and Healthcare • 379 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Ethics Corporate Influence Weight Stigma
  1. Novo Nordisk engaged in shady marketing practices involving funding prominent organizations, healthcare professionals, and academics to promote their weight loss drug without proper disclosure.
  2. The Observer investigation revealed that Novo Nordisk spent millions on payments, sponsorships, and grants to shape the obesity debate and influence healthcare policy decisions.
  3. Experts like Professor John Wilding and Jason Halford were found to be actively supporting Novo Nordisk's drug Wegovy while having substantial financial ties with the company, raising concerns about conflicts of interest.

Walgreens said to be courting a former Cigna/Express Scripts executive to turn the company around

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 299 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Pharmaceuticals Insurance Regulations Corporate strategy
  1. Walgreens is interested in hiring a former executive from Cigna/Express Scripts to help improve its business. They want someone with experience in pharmacy benefits to boost their competitiveness.
  2. Cigna has been fined $172 million for misleading the government about patient diagnoses in their Medicare Advantage program. They were accused of inflating seriousness of conditions to receive more funding.
  3. The pharmacy benefit management market is controlled by a few big companies, and Walgreens needs to strengthen its position to compete effectively against other large players like CVS and Amazon.

Q1 2023: UnitedHealth Group made $27.8 billion from the drug supply chain; spent $3.5 billion buying back their own stock

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 539 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Pharmaceuticals Insurance Industry Government programs Patient Advocacy
  1. UnitedHealth made a huge profit of $27.8 billion from the drug supply chain in just the first quarter of 2023. They also spent $3.5 billion buying back their own stock to increase value for shareholders.
  2. The company has dramatically increased its revenues and profits over the past decade, primarily from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Their pharmacy benefit manager, Optum Rx, has seen massive growth, capturing more money from patients.
  3. Despite their growth, the company's enrollment in commercial health plans has barely changed. Instead, more people are signing up for their Medicare Advantage plans, which suggests they are shifting focus to government-supported programs.

Biden White House and Big Disinformation Have Policies to Ban “True Content” on COVID Vaccines

The DisInformation Chronicle • 760 implied HN points • 21 May 23
📰 News Politics Social media Pharmaceuticals Advertising Censorship
  1. Social media companies censor 'true content' on vaccines in line with government and pharma interests
  2. Big Pharma spends millions on social media ads while platforms regulate vaccine 'misinformation'
  3. There's a conflict in regulating pharma 'misinformation' on social media while Pharma is a major advertising client

Weight Loss Drugs Part 3 - Wegovy and Tirzepatide

Weight and Healthcare • 738 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Medication Side Effects Pharmaceuticals Research
  1. Weight loss drugs often lead to short-term weight loss followed by weight regain, with participants regaining a significant amount of weight and cardiometabolic gains after going off the drug.
  2. Wegovy and Tirzepatide, new weight loss drugs, show a pattern of rapid weight loss at the beginning, then levelling off, and potential weight regain later. Side effects of these drugs are serious.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies aim for profits by keeping patients on expensive weight loss drugs long-term, despite minimal evidence of long-term weight loss benefits and significant harm from side effects.

BIG INSURANCE 2022: Revenues reached $1.25 trillion thanks to sucking billions out of the pharmacy supply chain – and taxpayers' pockets

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 539 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Medicare Pharmaceuticals Government programs Healthcare Costs Regulation
  1. Big insurance companies made a lot of money in 2022, reaching $1.25 trillion in revenue. They mainly got this money from managing drug benefits and government health programs.
  2. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are becoming really important for these insurers, as they now make up a huge portion of their profits. They control a lot of the drug pricing and decide which pharmacies patients can use.
  3. Most growth for these companies is coming from government programs like Medicare, while their commercial insurance business is struggling. Many people are now finding it harder to afford their healthcare costs.

Did FDA know a child had died in Moderna's Covid jab clinical trial? If so, what did the agency do about it?

Unreported Truths • 49 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Regulatory Affairs Pharmaceuticals Vaccination policy Clinical Trials
  1. A child died during Moderna's Covid vaccine trial, and there's confusion about whether the FDA was informed about this death.
  2. The FDA's responses seem deliberately vague, avoiding a clear acknowledgment of the child's death.
  3. Senator Ron Johnson plans to investigate further, which could lead to more transparency from the FDA.

Why is Dr. Scott Gottlieb so desperate to keep Robert F. Kennedy Jr. out of Trump's cabinet?

Unreported Truths • 67 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Government Pharmaceuticals Public Health Regulatory Affairs
  1. Dr. Scott Gottlieb is openly opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for a position in the Trump cabinet because he fears Kennedy would disrupt the current healthcare system. Many believe Big Pharma is worried about losing its grip on health policies if Kennedy gets into power.
  2. Gottlieb has a long history of connections with pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, which raises concerns about conflicts of interest. This background makes people skeptical about his motives and the influence of corporate interests in health decisions.
  3. Kennedy is seen by some as someone who could push for necessary changes in the healthcare system, while Gottlieb represents the status quo that many believe is broken and costly. The debate reflects ongoing frustrations with how healthcare is managed in the U.S.

Bi Jingquan on China’s pharmaceutical evolution and int'l cooperation

Pekingnology • 37 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals International cooperation Public Health Innovation
  1. China has made big improvements in its pharmaceutical industry by working with international partners. This helps them develop better drugs and get them to the market faster.
  2. Despite progress, China still faces challenges in drug innovation and access. Most new drugs are imitations, and prices are often too low, which can discourage companies from investing in new developments.
  3. To create a better future in healthcare, it's important for different countries to cooperate. This teamwork can help tackle global drug shortages and ensure people can get the medicines they need.

No more vaccines

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 02 Sep 22
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Pharmaceuticals Health Policy Skepticism
  1. The speaker has decided not to take any more vaccines, except for possibly a tetanus booster. They believe this decision is based on a rational understanding of public health and pharmaceutical practices.
  2. They feel that there may have been misinformation about the risk and benefits of earlier vaccines, leading to doubts about the vaccination process.
  3. The speaker acknowledges that their decision may seem unusual to vaccine supporters but sees it as a normal response to their understanding of the situation.

The lunacy of 340B and Medicare’s inability to negotiate drug prices

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 419 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Medicare Pharmaceuticals Public Health
  1. Medicare can't negotiate drug prices, which means taxpayers often pay more than necessary for medicines. It doesn't seem fair that businesses get better deals than we do.
  2. The 340B Drug Pricing Program was created to help hospitals get lower drug prices, but it has grown too big and complicated. Now, many hospitals may be making more money from these discounts than they should.
  3. There is a lack of transparency regarding how much hospitals charge for drugs compared to their purchase prices. This raises concerns about fairness and accountability in the healthcare system.

The U.S. Disease Epidemic and MAHA

Who is Robert Malone • 20 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pharmaceuticals Chronic Illness Healthcare Reform Nutrition
  1. Many Americans are suffering from serious health issues, with a high number living with chronic illnesses. This shows that despite advances in healthcare, people's health is getting worse.
  2. The current medical system heavily favors pharmaceutical companies over patient care. This creates a cycle where dangerous drugs can be approved while underlying health problems are ignored.
  3. Environmental factors, like toxins in food and other products, are major contributors to health issues. A reevaluation of health policies and standards is needed to protect people's well-being.

What Kennedy Must Do to Defeat Regulatory Capture

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Health Policy Political Reform Pharmaceuticals Public Health
  1. Regulatory capture means that big companies can influence government agencies to protect their interests instead of the public's. This often leads to policies that aren't in the best interest of consumers.
  2. The FDA and other agencies can make mistakes that harm people, and they often lack accountability. Without competition or choice, these agencies might not prioritize public safety.
  3. To truly improve healthcare regulations, we might need to rethink the role of government agencies altogether. Some suggest that eliminating these agencies could make the market safer and more effective for everyone.

COUNTERING MISINFORMATION: PREVIEW this weekend’s analysis-demolition of “Hidden Dangers of Vitamins and Supplements”

DrV’s Newsletter, Notes, Essays, Articles, Videos, and Book Chapters • 78 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Supplements Disinformation Pharmaceuticals Healthcare Industry
  1. The author is going to review a video on 'Hidden Dangers of Vitamins and Supplements.'
  2. There is concern about the influence of drug companies on the US government.
  3. The topic of misinformation regarding nutrition and supplements is a focus of the author's work.

Orbital Biolabs: Unleashing Cosmic Potential for Earth's Scientific Progress

Space Ambition • 199 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🔬 Science Biomedical Research Gene-editing Pharmaceuticals
  1. Space labs help scientists learn about biology in unique ways. In microgravity, they can see how living things react differently than on Earth.
  2. New technologies, like 3D printing and gene editing, are being tested in space. This could lead to cool advances in medicine and health back on Earth.
  3. There's a growing trend of private companies joining space research. This means more opportunities for innovative experiments and discoveries.

Weight Loss Drugs – A Long Line Of Losers Part 1 Fen-Phen and Belviq

Weight and Healthcare • 359 implied HN points • 10 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Pharmaceuticals Health Risks Research Medical Ethics
  1. Pharmaceutical companies have profited off dangerous weight-loss drugs that harmed people and were eventually pulled from the market.
  2. Short-term data and misleading risk/benefit analyses have led to the approval of weight-loss drugs that caused serious side effects.
  3. Weight-related co-morbid conditions do not always originate from weight, and weight stigma in healthcare can lead to unjust risks for those with higher BMIs.

UnitedHealth, CVS/Aetna, Cigna pulled in close to a trillion dollars last year, mostly as drug middlemen

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 279 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Insurance Healthcare Costs Market Dynamics Public Policy
  1. Three major companies, UnitedHealth, CVS/Aetna, and Cigna, are now making most of their money from being middlemen in the prescription drug market rather than from selling health insurance. This means they control a big part of how much patients pay for their medications.
  2. In 2022, these companies earned over $492 billion from their pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services, showing that this part of their business is growing much faster than their health insurance offerings.
  3. These companies are expanding into primary care services, like buying healthcare centers, as they face slower growth in their health insurance segments. This shift suggests they are looking for new ways to make profits amid tougher competition.

C57BL/6 (Beta)

Niko McCarty • 19 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Ethics Pharmaceuticals Computing
  1. In 2032, scientists created computer emulations of mice, including their entire anatomy and brain. This was only possible for a few organizations with strong computing power.
  2. The military used these emulators to test how drugs could enhance mouse performance, but some results were secretly tested on prisoners, raising ethical concerns.
  3. The NIH gave access to emulators mainly to select academic institutions, leading to a flood of biomedical papers. This made their findings influential in clinical trials, affecting millions of people.

Consolidations and profiteering: the relentless rise of hospital expenditures

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Costs Health Policy Pharmaceuticals
  1. Hospital expenditures are rising quickly, with costs expected to reach $2.2 trillion by 2030. This growth is leading to financial burden on patients and families.
  2. Many factors contribute to these rising costs, including wasteful administrative expenses and high-priced medicines. Administrative costs alone can make up 15-30% of the health-care spending.
  3. One big reason for higher hospital prices is consolidation through mergers, which leads to less competition and price increases. Most areas now have only a few hospital options which can drive prices up by over 20%.

Biden admin & WHO finally realise nobody cares anymore, fold up last vestiges of the Covid circus; Polish health minister denounces Pfizer vax profiteering, amazingly asks if it is "only about money"

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 244 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🌍 World Politics COVID-19 Vaccines Pandemic EU Pharmaceuticals
  1. The Biden administration and WHO are ending Covid-19 measures as public interest wanes.
  2. The Covid circus is folding up as winter saw less Corona cases and lack of public interest in testing.
  3. Polish health minister speaks out against Pfizer's vaccine surplus and profiteering.

A closer look: what you need to know about insurance companies' and PBMs' "copay accumulator" scheme

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 159 implied HN points • 20 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Legislation Pharmaceuticals Chronic Illness
  1. Copay accumulators are a practice where insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) do not count patient discounts towards their deductible. This forces patients to pay more out of pocket for expensive medications later in the year.
  2. Many patients, especially those with chronic illnesses, are impacted by these accumulators, facing higher healthcare costs that can lead to stress and difficult financial choices. Advocacy groups are working to raise awareness and ban this practice.
  3. Insurance companies argue copay accumulators help control drug costs, but many believe it's just a way to make more money at patients' expense. Some states are taking steps to ban it, but many patients still lack protection.