As stakeholders begin to mull the impact of the Arthrex opinion, HHS withdraws its advisory opinion concluding manufacturers are legally bound to provide 340B discounts to contract pharmacies, and Lilly takes aim at 340b contract pharmacy ‘replenishment’ model.

Sens. Durbin and Grassley hope report will help revive their flagging legislation that would require Rx ads to include list prices Senators claim that the Government Accountability Office concludes that direct-to-consumer spots for prescription drugs drives ‘drastic’ increases in Medicare costs.

Existing value-based contracts, which are voluntary for manufacturers, do not lower costs for states, National Association of Medicaid Directors executive director Matt Salo suggests.

Federal district court denies HHS request to dismiss AstraZeneca’s lawsuit, but also suggests Congress needs to clarify the contract pharmacy issue.

Ron Wyden points to expectations Biogen’s drug will impose a heavy cost burden on Medicare as he questions FDA’s decision to approve aducanumab. He also expresses interest in a government-sponsored technology assessment program that could help establish the value of drugs.

Biogen/Eisai’s newly-approved Alzheimer’s drug could be headed to CMS’ Medicare advisory committee, which is chaired by vocal drug pricing reform advocate Peter Bach.