Pharma waits idly following Trump’s drug pricing executive order: Trump hopes pharma will lower US drug prices to align with what other countries pay. But the impact of the order could come down to how much authority the administration has without congressional approval.
The FDA pushes aggressive timeline to implement AI-assisted drug reviews: The FDA plans to speed up drug reviews with AI by the end of June, but pharma companies already concerned about the impact of layoffs and recent drug approval delays shouldn’t see it as a silver bullet.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty steps down: New leadership will aim to straighten out the company’s Medicare Advantage business to appease Wall Street. But we’re also keeping an eye on what they’ll do to improve UHG’s sinking reputation.
Consumers have unfavorable views of drugmakers and health insurers: But these companies are simultaneously getting higher brand equity. Their growth is predicated on revenue-driving actions that consumers believe lead to high healthcare prices.
Hims & Hers pushes for partnership with Eli Lilly to sell discounted Zepbound: Hims recently inked a similar deal with Novo, and we think the market opportunity is too big for Lilly to pass up.
Online mental health visits are driving telehealth use: Pharma companies and healthcare providers should consider partnering with psychotherapy providers to offer mental health patients more options than meds alone.
Spending on prescription drugs in the US grew 11.4% last year: IQVIA projects spending to keep increasing through 2029. Lowering Rx costs is emerging as a key priority for the Trump admin—much to the dismay of pharma.
Gilead joins pharma companies that are boosting US manufacturing amid Trump-induced challenges: Gilead Sciences faces unique challenges as a leading HIV drugmaker—Trump’s tariff threats coincide with cuts to global HIV programs and LGBTQ+ healthcare initiatives.
Rite Aid files for bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years: The convenience store + pharmacy model is broken. Success in this space for standalone pharmacies will hinge on providing a first-rate experience for customers buying medications while reformatting stores to prioritize health and wellness products instead of household items and snacks.
Trump asks regulators to make it easier to build US drug manufacturing sites: Drugmakers should wait for the precise tariff rate on the sector—set to come within two weeks—before investing in more domestic infrastructure.
Americans aren’t confident that federal health agencies ensure safe and effective drugs: Pharma marketers need to lean on individual physicians and local health agencies to help consumers understand the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs and vaccines.
Function Health acquires Ezra, drops price of full-body MRI scan: Whole-body MRI screenings are out of most people’s price range. Marketers and influencers fueling the preventative wellness trend should also remind consumers of lower-cost, more accessible services.
Direct-to-patient models could pay off for pharma: But if pharma companies bypass middlemen such as insurers and PBMs, they’ll need to pay attention to where patients see the biggest needs for improvement to their healthcare experience— and not just try to fill as many new prescriptions as possible.
The majority of US adults oppose federal cuts to health agencies: While 61% of people are against staff and funding cuts to Medicaid and public health programs. It’s unlikely Congress and the Trump administration can pass the budget they want without doing so, leaving states and health companies to deal with shortfalls.
Trump admin invests $500M for universal vaccine project: Perhaps the administration isn’t as anti-vax as publicly perceived. However, vaccine makers are still on high alert as approval timelines for vaccines undergoing trials could get pushed back.
CVS puts Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (not Lilly’s Zepbound) on commercial drug formularies: Market reaction to the decision affirms how much influence PBMs like CVS Caremark have over prescription drug access. Eli Lilly may need to explore creative pricing strategies to improve access to Zepbound.
Experts at Publicis’ HealthFront event recommend partnering with influencers who have smaller followings: Brands and marketers must assess key factors such as target audience, budget, and alignment with a company’s mission.
Pharma gains confidence around threatened Trump administration tariffs on drug imports: Big Pharmas are notching wins with the Trump administration through new US manufacturing and national security commitments, which improves the potential for tariff exemptions or delays.
Novo Nordisk and Hims go from competitors to partners: The deal signals Novo’s desire to capture patients transitioning off compounded GLP-1s. All eyes turn to Eli Lilly, which at last check said it’s not affiliating with Hims.
Congress wants to end the pharma industry’s advertising expense write-offs: This has been proposed before, but under the new Trump administration’s anti-drug advertising stance, the bill could gain more traction and inspire other new rules.