Legislators wrapped up their summer work in July before leaving town for the August recess, but not without some last minute drama over the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and the border supplemental bill. Ultimately, lawmakers passed a funding extension for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), staving off a financial crisis. Congress also moved forward on several tax items and continued to hold oversight hearings on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation.Continue reading
Category Archives: Advocacy and Regulations
AdvaMed and MEDEC Approve Guidances on Ethical Relationships with Third-Party Distributors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) and the Canadian medical technology association MEDEC announce that MEDEC recently approved a number of guidances and tools designed to promote ethical interactions between medical device and diagnostics companies and third-party distributors.
Independence, Independents, and the Importance of Your Vote
Each July 4th we celebrate our independence as a nation and as a free people. The freedom and the opportunity to elect our leaders and representatives is as important today as it was in 1776.
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish – Castellani answers critics on drug prices with facts.
Castellani Statement on Prescription Drug Costs
Washington, D.C. (May 29, 2014) – The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) President and CEO John Castellani today released the following statement on the cost and value of medicines:Continue reading
21st Century Cures Continues Seeking Feedback
Second White Paper Reviews Proposals Made in the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology 2012 Report on Propelling Innovation – Health Subcommittee Schedules Hearing on PCAST for May 20 Continue reading
Washington Update for May 2014
The Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) is a confederation of state-based, non-profit trade organizations each governed by its own board of directors. The common mission of the members of the CSBA is to promote public understanding, and to advocate for public policies that support the responsible development of the bioscience industry. These groups are recognized by BIO as affiliate organizations in their respective states. AZBio is Arizona’s Authorized BIO affiliate and a proud member of CSBA.Continue reading
21st Century Cures Initiative Launches to Pick Up the Pace on BioMedical Innovation
A path to 21st century cures being mapped by the Senate Energy and Commerce CommitteeContinue reading
Arizona Governor Signs HB2078, Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Bill, Enacting Cost-Parity for Oral Anticancer Treatments
PHOENIX, 5/1/14 – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed House Bill 2078 into law Wednesday, making Arizona the 32nd state in the United States to have cost-parity for oral anticancer drugs. Beginning January 1, 2016, HB2078, sponsored by Representative Heather Carter (LD15), requires health insurance companies with plans that cover intravenous (IV) anticancer treatments and oral anticancer treatments to not discriminate against oral treatments by way of higher co-payments, deductibles or coinsurance.Continue reading
BIO Announces Kay Holcombe to Join as Senior Vice President, Science Policy
HCR 2005 – “Right to Try” Won’t Benefit Patients
While well intentioned, State “Right to Try” bills are fraught with false hope and dangerous side effects.Continue reading