Coalition issues drug pricing proposals

The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing, a coalition of purchasers, providers, and consumers, released a set of drug pricing proposals on Monday. At a press conference, Executive Director John Rother called the proposals "market-based and bipartisan." They include measures to increase transparency of R&D costs and prices; to promote competition, including through faster FDA approvals of second or third entrants into therapeutic classes; and to apply value-based payment schemes to drug pricing and coverage decisions. The group does not include representatives from drug companies or patient advocacy groups.

CSRxP proposed that sponsors disclose publicly the maximum unit price, the cost of a course of treatment, and a projection of federal spending on a drug as part of the FDA approval process. The campaign also said manufacturers should be required to disclose R&D costs for drugs, including "the portion of research funded by the manufacturer versus research funded by NIH; research by other academic entities; or research conducted by another pharmaceutical company (later acquired by the current manufacturer)." ...