'User fees' will speed approvals, FDA, drug firms say

Article Abstract:

FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler has developed a user fee system to help fund increased testing of new drugs. Kessler proposes that Congress pass a bill that would require drug companies to pay fees of $150,000 for drug applications and $5000 for each drug on the market. The measure would also require a company to pay an annual fee of $50,000 if it has any drug product on the market. Kessler proposes that the fees collected would be used to hire more FDA researchers. This increase in FDA personnel would help speed the drug approval process.

Regulation of agricultural marketing, Management, Finance, United States. Food and Drug Administration, Pharmaceutical research, Kessler, David A.

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Revisions to Medicaid drug law considered

Article Abstract:

Congress is mulling revision of a law designed to lower Medicaid drug prices. The law requires drug companies to charge Medicaid programs their 'best price,' the price that they charge bulk purchasers. Medicaid costs have declined since the law was enacted, but marketers have managed to skirt the problem by boosting prices for bulk purchasers by 200% in some cases. Some proposed revisions include substituting a flat discount rate for 'best price' or requiring all government agencies to act as one buying unit receiving the same rebate.

Drugs, proprietaries, and sundries, Admin. of social & manpower programs, Medicaid

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Failed Senate bill to deflate drug prices will rise again

Article Abstract:

The Senate defeated Sen David Pryor's bill that would have limited tax incentives to pharmaceutical firms that boost drug prices beyond the inflation rate. Between 1982 and 1992, the inflation was 42%, but prescription drug prices increased 142%. Pryor's bill would have cut certain tax breaks by a specific amount for every point the company raised its drug prices over the inflation rate.

Social policy, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Pryor, David

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