Regulatory and Washington

Among the 22 novel new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2016, about half were considered specialty drugs, and Diplomat identified four key specialty approvals that innovate in certain categories. Two of these were in the hepatitis C space, which has driven specialty growth for several years.

(To view the full Category Review, click here.)

WASHINGTON — Reps. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., both members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the DXM Abuse Prevention Act on Thursday in a bipartisan effort to prevent teen abuse of over-the-counter cough medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, commonly referred to the DXM.

The bill would establish a national age-18 requirement for the purchase of the medicines containing DXM. Over the past several years,12 states have addressed this issue by passing similar legislation.

WASHINGTON — Reps. Doug Collins, R-Ga., and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, on Thursday introduced H.R. 1316, the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, to protect taxpayers and the community pharmacists who serve them by requiring greater transparency from pharmacy benefit managers.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In a letter posted Monday, National Community Pharmacists Association CEO Douglas Hoey expressed NCPA's support of newly confirmed Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price's vision to improve the health care system.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores was among more than 200 members of the Americans for Affordable Products coalition that drafted a letter to bipartisan leadership opposing the Border Adjustment Tax.

WASHINGTON – The Natural Products Association on Monday announced the approval of new bylaws that will govern and steer the organization into the future.  The new by-laws were approved by the full membership on Feb. 17, 2017.