Pharmalittle: We're reading about a Medicare pilot and orphan drugs, Pfizer cutbacks, and more

In today's Pharmalittle newsletter, a Medicare pilot and orphan drugs, Pfizer cutbacks, and more.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about a Lilly access program, a Gilead court victory, and more

Eli Lilly confirmed that it will allow more patients to apply for early access to retatrutide, an unapproved obesity drug

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The latest orphan drug exemptions may not be warranted, analysis finds

A new analysis questions the wisdom of a controversial provision in federal law that exempts so-called orphan drugs from Medicare pricing negotiations.

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California Supreme Court sides with Gilead in 'duty' to innovate case

The California Supreme Court sided with Gilead Sciences in a closely watched case over whether the company had a "duty" to innovate.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about AstraZeneca-Bristol merger talks, a revised 340B plan, and more

AstraZeneca stock fell as investors balked at reports of merger talks with Bristol Myers Squibb about forming one of ​the world's biggest drugmakers

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Michigan Supreme Court ruling allows probe into Lilly insulin pricing

Lilly was accused of charging “grossly” excessive prices for different insulin products that forced some patients to ration or forgo the drug.

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Sandoz to pay $478.5 million to settle price-fixing allegations in long-running battle with states

Sandoz agreed to pay $478.5 million to settle allegations that the company engaged in a conspiracy to artificially inflate and manipulate prices.

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Trump administration revises rebate pilot for 340B drug discount program, angering hospitals

The Trump administration is revising its rebate pilot for the 340B drug discount program, angering hospitals.

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Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings

From new hires to departures, promotions and transfers, here are the latest comings and goings in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about a Novo setback, support for Replimune's melanoma drug, and more

An FDA advisory panel recommended use of an experimental Replimune treatment for advanced melanoma that the agency has rejected twice

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Rising oil prices can boost the cost of some medicines. One expert says it's time to lower reliance on fossil fuels

Unitaid found the rising price of oil could boost the cost of a widely used HIV medicine it reviewed in a detailed analysis.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about an FDA panel nixing a Duchenne drug, FTC suing Hims & Hers, and more

An FDA advisory panel concluded clinical data for a Capricor treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy did not provide “substantial evidence” of efficacy

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about a fugitive who became a biotech exec, a hospital suing Lilly, and more

The discovery that a fugitive had been working under an alias in the biotech industry prompted a question: How did he evade scrutiny for two decades?

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about FDA views on a Duchenne drug, GSK cost savings, and more

The FDA said a Capricor stem cell treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy did not meet a Phase 3 trial's objectives — contrary to company claims

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HIV resurgence is feared as global funding to combat the disease falls 18%

The world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic after international financing to combat the disease suffered a “profound shock” last year, according to a new report from UNAIDS.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about a U.S. peptide panel's votes, Amgen scuffling with the FDA, and more

An FDA panel recommended that compounding pharmacies be allowed to make two more peptides, a step toward RFK Jr.'s goal to make them more available

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Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings

From new hires to departures, promotions, and hires, here are the latest comings and goings in the pharma industry.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about an FDA panel and peptides, a Merck license for an HIV pill, and more

In a win for peptide proponents, an FDA advisory panel recommended compounding pharmacies be allowed to make four of the drugs

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Merck strikes voluntary licensing deals in poor countries for an experimental HIV prevention pill

Merck is striking licensing deals for its experimental HIV prevention pill in hope of getting wide-scale production started quickly.

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European regulators take steps to bolster clinical trial transparency

The European Medicines Agency is taking what advocacy groups are calling unexpectedly “rapid action” to ensure that clinical trial results are made public as required by law.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about Lilly obesity drug data, a push for FDA to ban DTC ads, and more

A study of Lilly's retatrutide weight loss drug in people with heart disease did not answer a crucial question — whether it reduces cardiovascular risk

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FDA is urged by advocacy group to ban DTC prescription drug ads

A leading advocacy group petitioned the FDA to ban direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about Trump's plan for tariffs on generics, a Merck and Gilead HIV pill, and more

President Trump plans to impose tariffs on imported generic medicines, his latest threat aimed at bringing pharmaceutical manufacturing back to the U.S.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about Novo suing Lilly over 'deceptive' ads, a fugitive's secret life in biotech, and more

Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly for allegedly running “deceptive” ads to make its obesity and diabetes drugs appear more effective

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Novo Nordisk sues Eli Lilly over GLP-1 drug ads it calls ‘deceptive’

Novo Nordisk sued Eli Lilly for allegedly running a “deceptive” ad campaign that uses “outdated clinical trials” to make its obesity and diabetes drugs appear more effective.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about a telehealth firm and patient safety, PBMs overcharging, and more

Some former employees say telehealth company LifeMD has sought to maximize the volume of GLP-1 prescriptions at the expense of patient safety

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State audit of Medicaid records points to methods used by PBMs to obscure drug costs

An audit of state Medicaid records revealed how PBMs are using complicated tactics for handling prescription drug claims that ultimately overcharge taxpayers.

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Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings

From new hires to departures, promotions and transfers, here are the latest comings and goings in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about rising drug shortages, GSK coughing up a trial loss, and more

The number of active medication shortages in the U.S. rose to 227 in the second quarter of 2026

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Pharmalittle: We're reading about Kalshi bets on clinical trials, a Merck cholesterol pill, and more

Kalshi, one of the world’s largest prediction market exchanges, plans to take bets on clinical trials and regulatory approvals

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