United States

Woodcock On Proposed Rare Rx Approval Pathway: US FDA’s Current Flexibilities Come Too Late

Woodcock On Proposed Rare Rx Approval Pathway: US FDA’s Current Flexibilities Come Too Late

 

The former CDER Director spoke to the Pink Sheet about why a new statutory standard is needed for certain rare disease drug approvals. We lay out some of her thinking in part one of a multi-part series on the topic.

Anticipation And Trepidation About Trump’s Election Rise

Anticipation And Trepidation About Trump’s Election Rise

 

Many speakers at the Galien Forum were uncertain about changes the new Trump Administration could make the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), National Institutes of Health funding and other areas.

Looking For STARs: US FDA Expands Split Real Time Review Amid Low Supplement Interest

Looking For STARs: US FDA Expands Split Real Time Review Amid Low Supplement Interest

 
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The STAR pilot established in PDUFA VII for efficacy supplements, which was modeled after the popular Real Time Oncology Review program, has not garnered much interest. The agency now is establishing a separate but similar pilot for a small number of original NDAs and BLAs.

Informed Consent Should Address Standard Of Care Risks, US FDA’s Califf Says

Informed Consent Should Address Standard Of Care Risks, US FDA’s Califf Says

 

US FDA Commissioner Robert Califf offers some thoughts on improving the informed consent process during a Patient Engagement Advisory Committee meeting that reflect concerns informed consent documents are too long and complex, but also do not address everything that may be important to patients.


2025 Part D Landscape Files Reveal Plans Are ‘Managing Their Risk More Carefully’

2025 Part D Landscape Files Reveal Plans Are ‘Managing Their Risk More Carefully’

 
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Plan sponsors continue working to offset the risk from major policy shifts.

Pink Sheet Podcast: How Will Trump’s Second Term Impact The US FDA?

Pink Sheet Podcast: How Will Trump’s Second Term Impact The US FDA?

Pink Sheet reporter and editors discuss potential changes that the incoming Trump Administration could make to the FDA, as well as worries about political interference in decision-making, and policy and staffing changes.

Warp Speed For All And A Boost For Small Biotechs In Trump’s Second Term, Ex-Official Says

Warp Speed For All And A Boost For Small Biotechs In Trump’s Second Term, Ex-Official Says

 

Former Trump adviser Tomas Philipson anticipates the FDA will undergo a deregulatory push during President Trump’s second term and emphasize speeding drugs to market.

Apotex And Heritage Reach $50m Settlements For US Price-Fixing Claims

Apotex And Heritage Reach $50m Settlements For US Price-Fixing Claims

 
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Two more generics manufacturers have settled claims with 50 US attorneys general that they artificially inflated and manipulated the prices of generic drugs for nearly a decade.


DTC Advertising: Compliance Date Looms For US FDA’s Clear, Conspicuous And Neutral Rule

DTC Advertising: Compliance Date Looms For US FDA’s Clear, Conspicuous And Neutral Rule

 
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Advertisers are facing a 20 November deadline to bring TV and radio ads into compliance, but stakeholders still question the reg’s scope, including whether and how it applies to ads on streaming services and social media platforms. FDA advisory comments suggest the agency is taking a hard stand on the rule’s ‘dual modality’ requirement.

US FDA’s Drug Approval Norms Could Be Upended In Second Trump Term

US FDA’s Drug Approval Norms Could Be Upended In Second Trump Term

 

Despite the recent anti-vaccine rhetoric in the final weeks of the Trump campaign, pulling an established safe and effective product off market would be difficult. But there’s little to stop political interference in approvals.

With Trump’s Return, Pharma Trades Disagreeable Knowns For Uncertainty

With Trump’s Return, Pharma Trades Disagreeable Knowns For Uncertainty

 

Drug pricing policies, M&A oversight, FDA and HHS leadership, the Biosecure Act and tariffs are among the issues pharmaceutical manufacturers will be closely watching under a second Trump Administration.

FTC Under Trump Likely to Maintain PBM Focus But M&A Oversight May Moderate

FTC Under Trump Likely to Maintain PBM Focus But M&A Oversight May Moderate

 
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With Chair Lina Khan expected to exit the commission, the incoming administration may consider elevating one of the Republican commissioners on the panel to succeed her, at least on an acting basis.


US Elections: Republican Sweep Would Ease Path For Biopharma Policy Priorities

US Elections: Republican Sweep Would Ease Path For Biopharma Policy Priorities

 
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While election results are not complete, prospects improve under new regime for 340B program reforms, PBM legislation, and Inflation Reduction Act drug pricing revisions. But immediate priorities for Congress and the new president will be elsewhere.

Firms Could Earn ‘Platinum Card,’ Less Frequent Inspections With Third-Party Audits, Califf Says

Firms Could Earn ‘Platinum Card,’ Less Frequent Inspections With Third-Party Audits, Califf Says

 

Increasing data flow into the agency could improve inspection decision-making.

Medicare Definitions Of ‘Bona Fide Marketing,’ And ‘Single-Source Drug’ May Be Inconsistent With Law, Appeals Court Says

Medicare Definitions Of ‘Bona Fide Marketing,’ And ‘Single-Source Drug’ May Be Inconsistent With Law, Appeals Court Says

 

An appeals court panel seemed skeptical of whether AstraZeneca has standing in its Administrative Procedure Act challenges against the IRA’s drug price negotiation program, but suggested a company with standing might be successful in their court.

Advice For The Next US FDA Commissioner: Grow A ‘Thick Skin’ Against Political Pressure

Advice For The Next US FDA Commissioner: Grow A ‘Thick Skin’ Against Political Pressure

 
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OCE Director Rick Pazdur celebrated 25 years at FDA by moderating a panel of five former commissioners. Topics included political challenges with the job and the ‘most memorable’ controversy they faced while in office.


Would Red or Blue Election Wins Be Better for PBMs? It’s a Tossup

Would Red or Blue Election Wins Be Better for PBMs? It’s a Tossup

 
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PBM reform likely will remain a priority no matter which party controls Congress, but experts differ on the party that likely would be harder on the industry.

IRA Litigation: Pharma’s Exit Options Irk Third Circuit Judges

IRA Litigation: Pharma’s Exit Options Irk Third Circuit Judges

 

Two of three appeals court judges hearing Bristol Myers Squibb and Janssen’s appeal questioned whether Medicare’s drug price negotiation program was truly structured in a way that gives manufacturers a choice not to participate.

US FDA’s New Rare Disease Hub Director Rick Brings Advocacy Experience

US FDA’s New Rare Disease Hub Director Rick Brings Advocacy Experience

 

Former Food and Drug Law Institute CEO Amy Comstock Rick will take on patient engagement for the US FDA Rare Disease Hub as director of strategic coalitions.

Practical Matters: Rare Disease Advocates Want Help From US FDA Hub To Make Data Useful

Practical Matters: Rare Disease Advocates Want Help From US FDA Hub To Make Data Useful

 

US FDA’s Rare Disease Innovation Hub should shepherd the practical transformation of the diverse wealth of patient-generated data held by advocacy organizations into information for regulatory use, Reagan-Udall public meeting hears.