Join Now

Category Archives: Policy News

Trump May Look to Advance International Pricing Index

Game On: Groups Launch Competing Drug Pricing Ad Campaigns  With prospects dim, at least in the short-term, for passage of comprehensive drug pricing legislation in Congress, some Washington observers suggest President Trump is eager to push for regulatory changes in an effort to capture the high ground on lowering prescription drug costs ahead of the […]

| Leave a comment

Senate Passes USMCA – Heads to the President’s Desk

The Senate on Thursday passed President Trump’s United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a wide bipartisan vote of 89-10. The USMCA, which rewrites the North America Free Trade Agreement, will now be sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The President is expected to sign the measure next week. Both Utah Senators, Mike […]

| Leave a comment

Positioning on Drug Pricing Continues

Sen. Grassley Calls on Pelosi to Support His Bill Conservative Group Backs GOP Drug Pricing Alternative As we head into 2020 election season, Democrats and Republicans alike will be working to convince voters that they have the right “prescription” to lower drug costs. At present, several different approaches are circling. With the passage of H.R. […]

| Leave a comment

Congress Reconvenes: Drug Pricing, USMCA updates

Congress returned yesterday with a number of big ticket items on their plate, including drug pricing and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), both of which have implications for Utah’s life sciences industry. Drug Pricing As the House of Representatives was passing the Democrat drug pricing plan, H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Prices Now Act, in the […]

Also posted in Life Sciences Industry News | | Leave a comment

HHS/FDA ADVANCE DRUG IMPORTATION WITH PROPOSED RULE

On December 18, HHS and the FDA issued a Noticed of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)  that would allow states to import prescription drugs from Canada. The proposed rule follows an Administration announcement in July that HHS would be examining pathways for safe drug importation. 

Also posted in Life Sciences Industry News | | Leave a comment

House Passes Pelosi Drug Pricing Plan

On Thursday, the Democrat-led House passed H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, by a vote of 230-192. The bill, a priority for Speaker Pelosi, mandates extensive price controls and passed largely along party lines. Only two Republicans in marginal districts voted for the legislation.

Also posted in Life Sciences Industry News | | Leave a comment

MDMA, AdvaMed, MITA and a Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Urge Congress to Permanently Repeal the Medical Device Tax

Washington, DC – The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) and a broad coalition of medical innovators, physician inventors, patient groups, and others sent a letter to congressional leadership today urging them to permanently repeal the medical device excise tax. “The United States is […]

Also posted in Life Sciences Industry News | | Leave a comment

Grassroots Alert: Sign the Letter to Congress to End the Medical Device Tax

The Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), along with AdvaMed and the Medical Imaging Technology Association, is circulating a letter for sign on by stakeholders who support repeal of the medical device tax. As you know, unless Congress acts, the tax will take effect January 1, 2020. MDMA spearheaded a similar broad-based coalition letter in 2009, […]

| Leave a comment

Device Companies Would Have to Report Product Samples Under STAR Act

Drug pricing legislation moving through Congress could force medical device manufacturers to report the value of product samples given to certain healthcare providers. This could include free samples a doctor uses when educating patients on device use. AdvaMed and the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, along with state-based affiliates, including BioUtah, are urging policymakers to exclude […]

| Leave a comment

BioUtah Has a New Home!

We’re excited to announce that as of May 1, BioUtah has opened new offices downtown at 230 East South Temple, Suite 100, in the Price Real Estate building. The new office space will allow us to raise the visibility of BioUtah, better serve our members, and continue to advance Utah’s life sciences industry. BioUtah members […]

| Leave a comment

Rep. John Curtis Tours Tolero – Discusses Innovation with Local Life Sciences Companies

Earlier this week, on May 6, Tolero Pharmaceuticals, a biopharma company discovering novel cancer therapies, hosted a tour of their Lehi research lab for Congressman John Curtis (R-UT-3). Following the tour, and in partnership with BioUtah and National BIO, Curtis held a roundtable discussion with life sciences executives from Tolero, PhotoPharmics, PolarityTE and Thunder Biotech. […]

| Leave a comment

Operating Expenses Of Your Office Lease…Are You Overpaying?

April 9, 2019 If your company leases office space, by now (April) you should have received–or will soon be receiving–your annual operating expenses reconciliation statement from your landlord.  Here I will briefly explain what these statements are and recommend 6 steps you should take before paying your reconciliation invoice. Most office leases require each tenant […]

| Leave a comment