Below is Alston & Bird’s Healthcare Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in healthcare regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies, and analyses; and other health policy news.
I. Regulations, Notices, & Guidance
- Due to the government shutdown there are no regulatory updates this week.
Event Notices
- February 27, 2019: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a public meeting of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC will discuss recovery housing and expanding access to medication-assisted treatment.
- April 10, 2019: The FDA announced a public meeting entitled, Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 2017; Electronic Submissions and Data Standards. The purpose of the meeting is to fulfill FDA’s commitment to seek stakeholder input related to data standards and the electronic submission systems’ past performance, future targets, emerging industry needs and technology initiatives.
II. Congressional Legislation & Committee Action
U.S. Senate
- There were no health-related hearings this week.
House of Representatives
- There were no health-related hearings this week.
III. Reports, Studies, & Analyses
- On January 23, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report entitled, Pricing of cancer medicines and its impacts. The WHO found that cancer drug research and development costs may not impact how pharmaceutical companies determine cancer drug prices. In general, the report argued that pharmaceutical companies set prices based on what consumers will pay for them and may lead cancer drugs to be too expensive.
IV. Other Health Policy News
- On January 24 – 25, 2019, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held their January meeting. The meeting agenda is available here.