PBM reform, biotech jobs, avian flu news, and more

A busy Monday brings louder calls for PBM reform, plus a report on U.S. biotech economic output and jobs, news on avian flu and plant biotech regulations, and more. (834 words, 4 minutes, 10 seconds)

BIO, bipartisan lawmakers call for PBM reform

As BIO continued to call for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, lawmakers are calling for passage of legislation before the current Congress ends this month.

What lawmakers are doing: Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) led bipartisan House and Senate lawmakers in a Dec. 4 press conference urging passage of PBM reform and organized a subsequent letter signed by about 120 Members of Congress.

What lawmakers are saying:  “Multiple bipartisan bills have already advanced in the 118th Congress, which would address specific practices that for far too long have increased patient costs and threatened patient access to pharmacies,” said the letter.

What patient advocates are saying: Patient outcomes are worse due to access barriers like step therapy and prior authorization, panelists said in BIO’s Patient Advocacy Coffee Chat.

What BIO’s doing: BIO urges legislation to help patients by delinking PBM compensation from prices, protecting independent pharmacies from PBMs supporting pharmacies they own, and ensuring employers can get the information needed to make patient-centered decisions on PBMs.

Poll: 1 in 3 patients face access barriers to medicine

1 in 3 U.S. adults surveyed experienced utilization management practices that restrict access to medicine, says a new poll.

The poll: Morning Consult surveyed 2,200 U.S. adults about utilization management practices like step therapy and prior authorization; 35% of respondents said they were impacted.

The impact: 47% of those experiencing an access barrier said they put off picking up or taking medicine. Another 27% said they didn’t fill the prescription altogether, while 18% skipped one or more doses.

What patients are saying: 57% of respondents strongly agree that only doctors should decide whether a treatment is medically necessary for patients, and 81% agree state and federal lawmakers should limit barriers like prior authorization and step therapy.

BIO’s view: “When people are sick, they deserve timely access to the treatments and cures they need. But as this new poll shows, too often, timely access is denied,” says BIO. 

Report: U.S. biotech generates $3.2 trillion in a year

The U.S. bioscience industry generated $3.2 trillion in overall output in 2023, according to the BIO/TEConomy report released Dec. 2.

The 11th biennial report,  “The U.S. Bioscience Economy: Driving Economic Growth and Opportunities in States & Regions,” gives extensive data on the U.S. bioscience industry and the sector’s growth on state and local levels. It’s produced by BIO and the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) in partnership with TEConomy.

A few key takeaways:

• U.S. bioscience employs nearly 2.3 million Americans across about 150,000 business establishments and supports nearly 8 million additional jobs.
• U.S. bioscience jobs pay 83% more than the national private sector average.
• Industry employment grew nearly 15% from 2019-2023, with net job growth in 49 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico between 2019-2023.

BIO’s view: “America’s bioscience sector is vital to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges,” says BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley. “Industry leaders and researchers overcome tremendous obstacles every day to advance innovative solutions and help people lead healthier lives, and this report shows how the sector continues to enrich communities, create jobs, and grow economies across our great country.”

Read more on Bio.News.

What Else to Read This Week

APHIS will begin testing milk for avian flu. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order to work with state veterinarians to collect and test milk samples for H5N1. “This will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

A federal court in California prospectively vacated the USDA final rule (7 CFR part 340) issued in 2020 for organisms developed using genetic engineering. Responses and permits issued under the rule before Dec. 2 remain valid. The rule has been returned to USDA for reconsideration consistent with the court order, according to a report. USDA is expected to provide guidance to stakeholders in the coming days, including on the status of last month’s notice, Movement of Organisms Modified or Produced Through Genetic Engineering; Notice of Additional Modifications Exempt Plants Can Contain,” which expanded the kinds of plants that could avoid strict 7 CFR part 340 regulation.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat—especially in conflict zones, said panelists at a briefing, “War and Superbugs,” hosted by the AMR Action Fund on Capitol Hill last week. In opening remarks, Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) spoke about the urgent need to pass the PASTEUR Act to help the U.S. lead the fight against the growing threat of AMR. “We constantly have to be in this race with superbugs to make sure physicians have the tools they need,” noted AMR Action Fund CEO Dr. Henry Skinner.

Beltway Report: What's Ahead in Washington

BIO is watching our priorities during the last two weeks of the 118th Congress.

Congratulations to John Torres, BIO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Relations for Ag and Environment, who was named one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists of 2024, “some of the best in the business.” (Read our recent interview with John on the future of agriculture policy.)