Vertex faces pressure from doctors on cystic fibrosis drug pricing; insurers wage battle amid surging popularity of Ozempic and Wegovy

Taking stock of the drug industry, from the lab to the medicine chest

August 3, 2023 Check out STAT+

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By Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer

Dado Galdieri/The New York Times STAT+ | Vertex faces renewed calls to widen access to its cystic fibrosis medicines in poor countries "It is clear Vertex's pricing strategy represents a formidable barrier to universal access to treatment," more than 100 doctors wrote. By Ed Silverman STAT+ | Pharma industry showers House GOP doctor with campaign cash The pharmaceutical industry has been flooding the campaign coffers of Rep. Larry Bucshon, a surgeon and Republican from Indiana. By Rachel Cohrs STAT+ | Alarmed by popularity of Ozempic and Wegovy, insurers wage multi-front battle Insurers have started aggressively cracking down on coverage for weight loss medications including Ozempic and Wegovy. By Elaine Chen Jenny Kane/AP STAT+ | White House drug shortage task force held rare in-person meeting with industry A new White House task force held a rare in-person meeting Friday to brainstorm policies for stemming shortages of cancer drugs. By John Wilkerson STAT+ | Alnylam reports growth in sales of rare disease treatments The FDA has scheduled a meeting of outside experts on Sept. 13 to discuss the company's application to expand the indication for Onpattro. By Brittany Trang and Adam Feuerstein STAT+ | Startup Celsius cuts 75% of staff ahead of first trial start for IBD drug The company has also been quietly paring back its pipeline this year, shutting down almost all early-stage research projects. By Allison DeAngelis

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