Mixed Signals on Innovative Rx Drug Pay Arrangements

The approval of a breakthrough cancer drug along with the government’s announcement of a payment arrangement based on actual patient results may be a sign of more to come.

However, a pharmaceutical industry group representative told Bloomberg BNA Aug. 31 that current law and regulation may stand in the way of flexible ways of paying for drugs.

The Food and Drug Administration this week approved Novartis AG’s Kymriah for treating certain pediatric and young adult leukemia patients. The drug has a list price of $475,000. At the same time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said the drugmaker will ...