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We recap what happened at yesterday’s markup of PBM legislation, and look at how gene editing could eliminate allergens from eggs. (495 words, 2 minutes, 28 seconds) |
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Vote on PBM bill delayed until May 11
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A Senate Committee discussed a bill to counter the impact pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have on drug prices yesterday, but the markup and vote were delayed until May 11. The bill: “The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act,” introduced by the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee, seeks to reduce drug prices by making PBMs pass on rebates they take from drug makers. The bill would ban spread pricing, where pharmacies pay more than the price PBMs negotiate for a drug.
Projected impact: The bill would save close to $2 billion over 10 years, said co-sponsor and Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT), while co-sponsor and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said it cuts costs without “threatening the ability and incentives to produce life-saving drugs in the future.”
What happened: Senators urged holding a vote until after a May 10 HELP hearing with the CEOs of the three largest PBMs and pharmaceutical executives. There were concerns about missing information, and Sen. Cassidy questioned whether a bipartisan deal to advance the bill would be maintained.
Read more about the hearing on Bio.News.
The context: This bill joins several PBM bills making their way through the House and Senate, as Bio.News reports.
What’s next: We’ll be following the May 10 hearing and the vote on this bill, set for May 11, as well as other PBM legislation. |
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How gene editing is making incredible, even more edible eggs |
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Scientists in Japan have used gene editing to remove the allergens that take eggs off the table for many children, a new study says. Why it matters: As many as 2% of children are allergic, says the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. While people usually outgrow the condition, hen eggs cause one of the most common allergies in children. But eggs are everywhere: Allergic children have to avoid many foods containing eggs, as well as vaccines made from eggs, notes the study in Food and Chemical Toxicology’s May Edition.
Some egg allergens can be eliminated by heat, but ovomucoid (OVM), which makes up 11% of egg white protein and causes allergies, survives cooking.
Cutting out the problem: Hiroshima University scientists used an advanced gene editing technique known as Platinum TALEN to hatch chickens that don’t pass on the OVM gene, the study explains. The chickens laid eggs that “did not express mature OVM protein.”
What’s next: The scientists are determining whether the OVM-free eggs can emulsify and cook like a regular egg before testing them in humans, Bloomberg reports: “Their ultimate aim is to commercialize the product to give allergy sufferers more options.” |
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