Very desirable diabetes medications associated with weight loss Medicines made by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk are among the drugs to be subject to price controls by Medicare.

On Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a second list of prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D. The list includes 15 drugs that help reduce the financial burden of millions of patients over the age of 65. and older.

This includes Novo Nordisk's weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempicas well as Xtandi, Ibrance, Calquence and Pomalyst, drugs that treat prostate, breast, blood and bone marrow cancers. Recently, price controls for selected drugs will come into force in 2027.

COALITION CONGRESS CALLS FOR REPEAL OF BIDEN'S DRUG PRICE CONTROLS

under Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), The law, which took effect in 2022, gave Medicare the power to set lower prices for select covered high-cost drugs.

Although the IRA refers to “negotiation,” the text of the legislation allows CMS to set a “maximum fair price” for a drug. The pharmaceutical company must then “negotiate” the price. If they don't, the government will assess a daily excise tax on each drug sold above the “maximum fair price.”

The move drew criticism from drugmakers, including Novo Nordisk, which told FOX Business that it “opposes government price fixing through the IRA and how the law has been implemented by this administration, including many products for individual use.” have significant concerns about the merger. It does not meet the requirements of the law.”

The company believes that it “could negatively impact patient access to their medicines and threaten to stifle future scientific development of life-changing medicines for chronic diseases where there is a real unmet need”.

In October 2023, shortly after the first 10 drugs were announced, a coalition of more than 40 groups called on Congress to repeal the Drug Price Negotiation Program included in the IRA, arguing that the price control scheme was US-led. The Biden administration will eventually lead to drug shortages and higher costs.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare was empowered to set lower prices for selected covered high-cost drugs. (Photo by Andreas Arnold/Image credit via Getty Images/Getty Images)

A coalition of more than 40 groups sent a letter to federal lawmakers shortly after the Biden administration released its first list of 10 drugs, including Merck's diabetes drug Januvia, Johnson & Johnson's blood thinner Xarelto, and blood thinners from Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb. Eliquis in August 2023.

BIDEN ADMIN NAMES TOP 10 DRUGS IN MEDICARE PRICE NEGOTIATIONS

About 5.3 million Medicare Part D recipients used the new select drugs for conditions such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and asthma between November 2023 and October 2024, according to the administration. Medicines accounted for about $41 billion, or 14%, during this period. , total Medicare Part D prescription costs.

The Biden administration has announced yet another list of prescription drugs that will be subject to price controls. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Educational Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images/Getty Images)

“Last year, we proved that negotiating lower drug prices works. Now we plan to increase this record by negotiating lower prices. 15 more important medicines for the elderly,” said Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Becerra said the agency “will continue to negotiate with Medicare in the best interests of people to ensure access to innovative, life-saving treatments at low costs.”

Pharmacist Tzofit Moskovic, left, works at a computer station as Walgreen Co. senior pharmacy technician Michelle Sorto sorts files at the store Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, in Oak Park, Illinois. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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The list of drugs selected for the second round of negotiations:

• Ozempic; Rybelsus; Wegovy
• Trelegy Ellipta
• Xtandi
• Slow down
• Hebrew
• Ofev
• Linzess
• Calquence
• Austedo; Austedo XR
• Breo Ellipta
• Traditional
• Xifaxan
• Vries
• Janumet; Janumet XR
• Otezla