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 The announcement was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The
rules are expected to be final and follow up on executive orders
that Trump signed in July and September.
One rule, known as "most favored nation," would require Medicare to
tie the prices it pays for drugs to those paid by other wealthy
countries. The other rule would limit rebates paid to middlemen in
Medicare.
Medicare, which covers older Americans and those with disabilities,
is currently prohibited from negotiating the prices it pays to
drugmakers.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a drug
industry lobby group known as PhRMA, reiterated its opposition to
most favored nation drug pricing. A PhRMA spokesperson said the
group was "considering all options" to stop the rule.
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By contrast, the PhRMA spokesperson said the rebate rule was a "commonsense
approach" that would pave the way for rebates and discounts that pharmacy
benefit managers receive from drugmakers to be passed on to Medicare recipients.
It is not clear whether the incoming Biden administration will keep the rules.
(Reporting by Steve Holland; additional reporting Mrinalika Roy; by Writing by
Eric Beech; Editing by Mohammad Zargham, David Gregorio and Tom Brown)
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