A Wisconsin Democrat is applauding the US Department of Health for allowing some drugs covered under Medicare to be selected for price negotiations.
Senator Tammy Baldwin says the fifteen additional drugs include those that help treat cancer, type 2 diabetes, and asthma.
The selected drugs include weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy to treat type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease; Trelegy Ellipta and Breo Ellipta to treat asthma and COPD; Tradjenta and Janumet to treat type 2 diabetes; and Xtandi and Ibrance to treat cancers.
Baldwin says, “Not only will seniors feel the savings in their pocketbooks, but also this puts the pressure on the big drug makers to lower costs for all Americans who rely on these drugs to treat asthma, cancer, and diabetes.”
In the first cycle of negotiations, Medicare negotiated with the participating drug manufacturers and reached an agreement on new, lower prices for all 10 drugs.
According to Baldwin, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will select for negotiation up to an additional 15 drugs for the third cycle of negotiation, and up to 20 more drugs for each cycle after that, as outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act.
