LAST WEEK
The Baker Administration announced on Wednesday that Travis McCready, CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center will be stepping down to take a new role at a local startup. Timothy McGourthy, Deputy Secretary of Governor Baker’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, has been appointed to interim President & CEO.
THIS WEEK
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is scheduled to hear arguments on Monday regarding the requirement that drug manufacturers disclose list prices in TV commercials. This rule was most recently struck down in July on the grounds that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lacked statutory authority to issue it. However, the rule raises concerns over the First Amendment rights as drug manufacturers argue that HHS cannot compel speech by requiring list price – especially because the number can be misleading for patients who would not be subject to pay the full list price.
Also this week, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) Board will convene on Tuesday for a meeting of the Market Oversight and Transparency (MOAT) Committee. During the MOAT meeting, commissioners will review initial findings from the upcoming 2019 Cost Trends Report and updates on the prescription drug coupon study, the market retrospective study, and the drug pricing review regulation process.