Category Archives: Policy News
BioUtah and the University of Utah’s TVC Announce Startups Chosen to Pitch at the 2020 Entrepreneur & Investor Life Science Summit
Nine rising startup companies from Utah’s growing life sciences industry will present their innovations to investors during the 2020 Entrepreneur & Investor Life Science Summit on February 28, sponsored by Simpson Thacher Salt Lake City, Utah – February 24, 2020 – BioUtah, Utah’s only trade association dedicated solely to the life sciences, in partnership with […]
Life Sciences Day on the Hill
Utah’s vibrant life sciences industry was on full display yesterday as part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s “Industry Day on the Hill”. The event, held at the state capitol, provided legislators the opportunity to interact one-on-one with company exhibitors from the aerospace, life sciences and tech industries. Representing the life sciences sector were […]
Trump Touts Healthcare Polices, Drug Pricing in State of the Union
In his State of the Union address February 5, President Trump highlighted a number of health policy goals, including lowering prescription drug prices. Drug pricing continues to be a priority for the Administration and a hot topic of debate for Republicans and Democrats alike. Trump specifically pledged to tackle high drug prices, increase transparency, work […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
