Sydney Lupkin

The federal government and the pharmaceuticals industry are about to go head-to-head once again. In its last full weekday in office, the Biden administration has named the next 15 drugs up for price negotiation in Medicare. Ozempic is on the list.

The type 2 diabetes blockbuster drug is joined by its obesity drug cousin, Wagovi, as well as drugs for various cancers, asthma, psoriasis, and bipolar disorder. The government can't pick just any drugs in Medicare. There are certain rules laid out in the Inflation Reduction Act that say which drugs are eligible. The negotiations will take place in the coming months. Sydney Lufkin, NPR News.

The type 2 diabetes blockbuster drug is joined by its obesity drug cousin, Wagovi, as well as drugs for various cancers, asthma, psoriasis, and bipolar disorder. The government can't pick just any drugs in Medicare. There are certain rules laid out in the Inflation Reduction Act that say which drugs are eligible. The negotiations will take place in the coming months. Sydney Lufkin, NPR News.

Yeah, hi, Scott.

Yeah, hi, Scott.

Yeah, hi, Scott.

Yeah. And in most circumstances, it would be celebrated all around. But in this case, many people will end up spending more to manage their obesity. Here's what's happening. Terzepatide is the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Zepbound for Obesity and Manjaro for Diabetes.

Yeah. And in most circumstances, it would be celebrated all around. But in this case, many people will end up spending more to manage their obesity. Here's what's happening. Terzepatide is the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Zepbound for Obesity and Manjaro for Diabetes.

Yeah. And in most circumstances, it would be celebrated all around. But in this case, many people will end up spending more to manage their obesity. Here's what's happening. Terzepatide is the active ingredient in Eli Lilly's Zepbound for Obesity and Manjaro for Diabetes.

Specialized pharmacies called compounding pharmacies have been legally allowed to make what are essentially copies of terzepatide Because the brand name drugs were in shortage. And the compounded versions of the medicines were a lot cheaper. A few hundred dollars a month for patients compared with $1,000 or more for the brand name drugs.

Specialized pharmacies called compounding pharmacies have been legally allowed to make what are essentially copies of terzepatide Because the brand name drugs were in shortage. And the compounded versions of the medicines were a lot cheaper. A few hundred dollars a month for patients compared with $1,000 or more for the brand name drugs.

Specialized pharmacies called compounding pharmacies have been legally allowed to make what are essentially copies of terzepatide Because the brand name drugs were in shortage. And the compounded versions of the medicines were a lot cheaper. A few hundred dollars a month for patients compared with $1,000 or more for the brand name drugs.

Yeah, so the stakes are high. In October, FDA first said the shortage was over, but a trade group for the largest compounding pharmacies sued the FDA, challenging that determination. The compounders said there was no way the shortage could be over because many patients still couldn't fill their name-brand prescriptions

Yeah, so the stakes are high. In October, FDA first said the shortage was over, but a trade group for the largest compounding pharmacies sued the FDA, challenging that determination. The compounders said there was no way the shortage could be over because many patients still couldn't fill their name-brand prescriptions

Yeah, so the stakes are high. In October, FDA first said the shortage was over, but a trade group for the largest compounding pharmacies sued the FDA, challenging that determination. The compounders said there was no way the shortage could be over because many patients still couldn't fill their name-brand prescriptions

And they allege that the FDA hadn't determined how many people would need to make the switch from the compounded to the name brand drugs either. So the FDA took another look and for a second time declared the triseptide shortage resolved.

And they allege that the FDA hadn't determined how many people would need to make the switch from the compounded to the name brand drugs either. So the FDA took another look and for a second time declared the triseptide shortage resolved.

And they allege that the FDA hadn't determined how many people would need to make the switch from the compounded to the name brand drugs either. So the FDA took another look and for a second time declared the triseptide shortage resolved.

The agency says it took a look at many factors, including the drug manufacturer's inventory data, projected demand. It says it also spoke to patients, healthcare providers, and compounding pharmacies. Bottom line, the agency said it thinks Eli Lilly can make enough. Lilly said in a statement that the FDA decision reflects the company's hard work to expand its manufacturing capacity.

The agency says it took a look at many factors, including the drug manufacturer's inventory data, projected demand. It says it also spoke to patients, healthcare providers, and compounding pharmacies. Bottom line, the agency said it thinks Eli Lilly can make enough. Lilly said in a statement that the FDA decision reflects the company's hard work to expand its manufacturing capacity.