BIO The Week That Was – Dec 4, 2015

12/04/2015

This Week That Was, BIO Actions and Activities.

A weekly communications publication featuring materials developed by BIO. The Week That Was includes blog posts, op-eds, talking points and infographics, as well as important events to have on your radar for the coming weeks. The Week That Was is delivered each Friday. As always, we welcome your input and please feel free to contact BIO Communications to help coordinate media inquiries and amplify social media opportunities.

BIO FEATURED ITEMS

BIO released a statement on Senators Grassley and Wyden’s report on Gilead Sciences’ Hepatitis C drug Sovaldi and its second-wave successor, Harvoni. BIO encouraged a balanced debate which acknowledges the tremendous value provided by groundbreaking cures.

A Letter to the Editor was submitted by Jim Greenwood in response to Gretchen Morgenson’s story “Working to Lower Drug Costs by Challenging Questionable Patents” published in the New York Times on Nov. 27. We are currently awaiting a decision from the NY Times.

BIO PRESS RELEASES & BLOG POSTS

BIO Statement on HHS Forum on Pharmaceutical Innovation, Access, Affordability and Better Health

Following the HHS Public Forum on Pharmaceutical Innovation, Access, Affordability and Better Health on November 20, BIO released a statement emphasizing our continued commitment to work with stakeholders to come up with meaningful patient-centered solutions to the challenges of access and affordability…

ON THE HORIZON

Senate Special Committee on Aging tentatively announced a December 9^thhearing to investigate pharmaceutical drug pricing, in particular, the increasing cost of generics.

BIO is working closely with the Committee as it refines the scope of the hearing, which, based on public statements, may be limited to emerging trends in the cost of generic products and the implications for patient access. From a communications perspective, we will be ready to respond if appropriate.

SOCIAL MEDIA

11.20.2015

@IAmBiotech

Patient Assistance Programs provide millions in free/reduced medicines, what are insurers doing?http://j.mp/hhsqs
#InnovationSaves

11.18.2015

@IAmBiotech

No, you’re not paying for others medicinehttp://ow.ly/UTaYj
#RxAccess

11.20.2015

@IAmBiotech

Last 6 yrs shows continued slowdown in per capita spending on prescription drugs http://j.mp/5gyt3
#RxAccess

THREE POINTERS

As Baby Boomers age, the rate of Alzheimer’s disease will reach epic proportions. Unless new breakthrough treatments are developed soon, the consequences will be devastating for patients, families, and our healthcare system. Biopharmaceuticals are the best hope of stemming the tide of Alzheimer’s.

Today, more than 5 million patients live with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to grow to 13.5 million by 2050.

Patients and their families will be burdened by the coming Alzheimer’s “tsunami”, in 2015 families had $44 billion in out of pocket expenses to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, that number will rise to $198 billion by 2050.

Unleashing the Next Generation of Biotechnology Innovation:bio.org/innovation