Mar 6, 2017 - Health

New report says multiple sclerosis drugs are overpriced

Rogelio Solis / AP

At least 400,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis, and they are paying too much for their drugs to treat the condition, according to a new report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.

ICER, a not-for-profit group that the pharmaceutical industry loathes, attempts to identify the cost effectiveness of drugs. Many of the multiple sclerosis drugs ICER studied are clinically effective. But the group's president, Dr. Steven Pearson, said in a statement that "high prices and regular price increases contribute significantly to restrictions on coverage and access that make it difficult for patients to get the medications they need." Multiple sclerosis drugs cost between $63,000 per year and more than $100,000 per year.

Companies in the crosshairs that make multiple sclerosis drugs: AbbVie, Bayer, Biogen, Genentech, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

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Axios

Updated 4 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 6:15 p.m. ET: 30,611,684 — Total deaths: 953,820— Total recoveries: 20,836,867 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 6:15 p.m. ET: 6,756,781 — Total deaths: 199,090 — Total recoveries: 2,556,465 — Total tests: 93,150,052 — Map.
Politics: In reversal, CDC again recommends coronavirus testing for asymptomatic people.
Health: The dwindling chances of eliminating COVID-19.
World: Guatemalan president tests positive for COVID-19 — The countries painting their pandemic recoveries green.

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Jacob Knutson

34 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump says he expects to announce a Supreme Court nominee "next week"

President Trump speaking prior to his departure from the White House on Sept. 19. Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

President Trump said Saturday he expects to announce a nominee for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's vacant Supreme Court seat “next week” and that the person will “most likely" be a woman.

What he's saying: "If somebody were to ask me now, I would say that a woman would be in first place, yes. The choice of a woman, I would say, would certainly be appropriate," the president told pool reporters.

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Jacob Knutson, Alayna Treene

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Susan Collins says Senate should postpone Supreme Court vote

Sen. Susan Collins. Photo: Tom Williams/Getty Images

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said in a statement Saturday she believes whoever is elected in the 2020 presidential race should pick the nominee to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat.

Why it matters: Collins will be key in how the nomination process plays out. As one of the most centrist Senate Republicans, whether or not the Senate confirms Trump's SCOTUS nominee could hinge on her vote.