Key stat: 19% of US adults play team sports, up from 11% in 2020, according to CivicScience, signaling that people aren’t only watching sports, they’re participating as well.
Parents sue Walgreens, OptumRx over son’s death: They allege that a sudden price hike of his asthma medication made it unaffordable. The lawsuit will put more pressure on regulators to lower medication costs and improve drug pricing transparency.
Oregon bill seeks to ban AI nurses: If passed, the bill could provide a framework for other states as they work to regulate the use of AI in healthcare settings.
Consumer interaction and engagement with healthcare and pharmaceutical ads vary greatly by generation. Marketers must gain a better understanding of these differences to reach patients more effectively.
Teladoc acquires Catapult Health for $65M: The burgeoning market for at-home health tests could make this a good deal for Teladoc.
Pharma giants report mixed earnings for GLP-1s in Q4: Supply challenges and weight loss drug market competition could pose the biggest threats to Novo and Lilly in 2025.
Chaos reigns at federal health agencies: Communications pauses, funding freezes, and fraud investigations have all taken place in recent weeks. Here’s why the flurry of activity holds serious implications for the future of the NIH, CDC, and CMS.
RFK Jr.’s HHS Secretary nomination advances: If there were any lingering concerns over Kennedy leading the department, Senator Cassidy—a physician—and his deciding vote likely put them to rest.
Trump’s tariffs could result in higher healthcare prices: We examine what’s at stake for companies making pharmaceuticals and medical products and explore how the new tariffs run in conflict with Trump’s commitment to lowering prescription drug prices in the US.
New York attorney general tells hospitals to continue gender-affirming care: The mandate stands in opposition to President Trump’s recent executive order that outlaws gender-affirming care in children, with hospitals’ access to federal funding on the line.
Study reveals Amazon Pharmacy’s RxPass improves medication adherence: Subscription programs for prescription drugs could be a model worth exploring for struggling retail pharmacy incumbents.
Patients like receiving educational health information in medical settings: We explore how advertising at points of care like the doctor’s office can trigger patient behavior while also delivering value to doctors.
How the FDA’s approval of non-opioid pain pill could benefit pharma players: Pharmacies and drugmakers hope that the new treatment will help them avoid opioid-related legal issues in the future.
Our take on RFK’s Senate hearing to date: His answers (or lack thereof) to pressing healthcare issues won’t do much to convince the American public he’s the right person to run the HHS.
Senators reintroduce Drug-price Transparency for Consumers Act: If passed, the Act could empower patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare amid a torrent of direct-to-consumer drug ads.
Caregivers in the US are overburdened: Healthcare and pharma companies have an opportunity to develop marketing strategies around providing them relief.
Hims blames drugmakers for high GLP-1 prices in Super Bowl TV spot: It’s a bold—and expensive—move for Hims, especially considering the uncertain future of compounded weight loss drugs and doctors’ growing apprehension of how these treatments are marketed and sold.
Consumers’ vaccine skepticism persists: Their growing distrust coupled with the spectre of RFK Jr. leading the HHS could portend bad news for Big Pharma
Neko Health secures $260M in Series B funding: The medical scanning startup is now valued at $1.8 billion, which feels overblown when you take consumers’ appetite for the service and ability to afford it into account.
On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the trend of healthcare and pharmaceutical brands selling prescription drugs, treatments, and medical services directly to consumers and how rising medical costs are changing patients’ relationship with the healthcare system. Tune in to the conversation with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analysts Dane Finley and Rajiv Leventhal. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.