NMSS releases patient access recommendations

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society released recommendations to support patient access to medications. The group focused on price controls, formulary designs and transparency among manufacturers, payers and PBMs as tools to improve medication adherence for MS patients.

NMSS called for limits on price increases for products that have been marketed for "a considerable time," and noted that the average price for MS treatments has increased nearly 400% since 2004. It said new drugs should be priced to reflect R&D costs, value to patients and providers, and financial impact on MS patients. The group proposed that HHS oversee pricing of drug classes "that do not fit the expectations of a competitive market," and said patent protections should be shortened for "minor tweaks" to existing products. ...