Ben Rome
@benro.me
Primary care doc, health policy researcher @portalresearch.org. Trying to make prescription drugs more affordable. 💊🩺📊
Pinned
Interview with Benjamin Rome on the results of the initial round of drug-price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act. | NEJM
Audio Interview from the New England Journal of Medicine — Interview with Benjamin Rome on the results of the initial round of drug-price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act.
www.nejm.org
🎙️New NEJM audio interview recapping where we are with Medicare price negotiation and how to think about the results from the first 10 drugs.
#healthpolicy #medsky @portalresearch.bsky.social
www.nejm.org/do/10.1056/N...
#healthpolicy #medsky @portalresearch.bsky.social
www.nejm.org/do/10.1056/N...
Reposted by Ben Rome
Language is now back in the Senate version of the OBBA that would undermine Medicare price negotiation for drugs with Orphan Drug Act designation. Here's our HA Forefront published yesterday (!) from Helen Mooney and @benro.me on why it is a very bad idea:
www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/f...
www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/f...
Congress Should Remove The Rare Disease Carve-Out From Medicare Drug Price Negotiation, Not Expand It | Health Affairs Forefront
Expansion of the Medicare drug price negotiation rare disease drug carve-out would unnecessarily limit the number of drugs eligible for negotiation, allow for continued high drug prices for products that earn billions of dollars in Medicare, and introduce a new set of misaligned incentives.
www.healthaffairs.org
June 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Language is now back in the Senate version of the OBBA that would undermine Medicare price negotiation for drugs with Orphan Drug Act designation. Here's our HA Forefront published yesterday (!) from Helen Mooney and @benro.me on why it is a very bad idea:
www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/f...
www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/f...
Reposted by Ben Rome
Great and engaging panel discussion about the future of the Inflation Reduction Act by @benro.me and Chris Cai (both from @portalresearch.org), @dusetzinas.bsky.social (Vanderbilt Health Policy), and Alyson Bancroft (@p4ad.bsky.social)!
#ARM25
#ARM25
June 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Great and engaging panel discussion about the future of the Inflation Reduction Act by @benro.me and Chris Cai (both from @portalresearch.org), @dusetzinas.bsky.social (Vanderbilt Health Policy), and Alyson Bancroft (@p4ad.bsky.social)!
#ARM25
#ARM25
Reposted by Ben Rome
New Health Affairs Forefront post on the Medicare negotiation "biologic bonus" and the massive financial hit to patients and the health care system of delaying small molecule negotiation from 9 to 13 years, led by Chris Cai and @benro.me: www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
www.healthaffairs.org
May 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
New Health Affairs Forefront post on the Medicare negotiation "biologic bonus" and the massive financial hit to patients and the health care system of delaying small molecule negotiation from 9 to 13 years, led by Chris Cai and @benro.me: www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Reposted by Ben Rome
⭐Out now from Dr. Jerry Avorn— RETHINKING MEDICATIONS: Truth, Power, and the Drugs You Take
In his new book, Dr. Avorn explains why some of the medications we take are poorly evaluated, overpriced, or pose unwarranted risks—and how we fix that.
📖 Grab a copy today: rethinkmeds.info
In his new book, Dr. Avorn explains why some of the medications we take are poorly evaluated, overpriced, or pose unwarranted risks—and how we fix that.
📖 Grab a copy today: rethinkmeds.info
Home
Truth, Power, and the Drugs You Take
rethinkmeds.info
April 30, 2025 at 6:58 PM
⭐Out now from Dr. Jerry Avorn— RETHINKING MEDICATIONS: Truth, Power, and the Drugs You Take
In his new book, Dr. Avorn explains why some of the medications we take are poorly evaluated, overpriced, or pose unwarranted risks—and how we fix that.
📖 Grab a copy today: rethinkmeds.info
In his new book, Dr. Avorn explains why some of the medications we take are poorly evaluated, overpriced, or pose unwarranted risks—and how we fix that.
📖 Grab a copy today: rethinkmeds.info
Reposted by Ben Rome
WATCH: @akesselheim.bsky.social testifies before @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social
On NIH cuts - "...the next generation will look back at this moment & ask what we were doing while the Trump administration systematically disposed of 1000s of research projects that could've helped patients."
On NIH cuts - "...the next generation will look back at this moment & ask what we were doing while the Trump administration systematically disposed of 1000s of research projects that could've helped patients."
April 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM
WATCH: @akesselheim.bsky.social testifies before @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social
On NIH cuts - "...the next generation will look back at this moment & ask what we were doing while the Trump administration systematically disposed of 1000s of research projects that could've helped patients."
On NIH cuts - "...the next generation will look back at this moment & ask what we were doing while the Trump administration systematically disposed of 1000s of research projects that could've helped patients."
Was this before or after the CEO of PhrMA wined and dined with Trump?? 😉
But seriously, nice to see that negotiating drug prices is actually a bipartisan priority.
www.statnews.com/pharmalot/20...
But seriously, nice to see that negotiating drug prices is actually a bipartisan priority.
www.statnews.com/pharmalot/20...
Trump's Justice Department defends Medicare drug price talks in case brought by Novartis
Some see the DOJ filing as a sign the Trump administration is willing to maintain the controversial program.
www.statnews.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Was this before or after the CEO of PhrMA wined and dined with Trump?? 😉
But seriously, nice to see that negotiating drug prices is actually a bipartisan priority.
www.statnews.com/pharmalot/20...
But seriously, nice to see that negotiating drug prices is actually a bipartisan priority.
www.statnews.com/pharmalot/20...
This is a terrible change. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that it forced the health care system toward more adoption of telehealth. Good for patients, particularly those who need lots of care but who struggle to leave home.
BREAKING: The Trump administration has announced that it will kill Medicare coverage of most telehealth services on April 1st.
February 21, 2025 at 12:45 AM
This is a terrible change. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that it forced the health care system toward more adoption of telehealth. Good for patients, particularly those who need lots of care but who struggle to leave home.
Reposted by Ben Rome
We’ve summarized the (main, inaqdequate) ways to get prescription drugs for cheaper — with help from @benro.me. One of ‘em might work for you.
And: you might know something we don’t. We’d love you to chime in.
As always, paywall-free.
firstaidkit.substack.com/p/how-to-may...
And: you might know something we don’t. We’d love you to chime in.
As always, paywall-free.
firstaidkit.substack.com/p/how-to-may...
How to (maybe) get drugs for cheaper
What we’ve learned, and how you can help us learn more
firstaidkit.substack.com
February 4, 2025 at 7:59 PM
We’ve summarized the (main, inaqdequate) ways to get prescription drugs for cheaper — with help from @benro.me. One of ‘em might work for you.
And: you might know something we don’t. We’d love you to chime in.
As always, paywall-free.
firstaidkit.substack.com/p/how-to-may...
And: you might know something we don’t. We’d love you to chime in.
As always, paywall-free.
firstaidkit.substack.com/p/how-to-may...
Reposted by Ben Rome
New from Chris Cai, @akesselheim.bsky.social and @benro.me in JAMA:
Despite having gone off patent decades ago, repurposing the antidepressant doxepin for insomnia has led to persistent high prices even though generics are available, highlighting the need for policy reform in drug repurposing.
Despite having gone off patent decades ago, repurposing the antidepressant doxepin for insomnia has led to persistent high prices even though generics are available, highlighting the need for policy reform in drug repurposing.
Despite the availability of generic low-dose doxepin for insomnia, the medication remains costly and less frequently used compared to other insomnia treatments.
ja.ma/4aLCKid
#MedSky
ja.ma/4aLCKid
#MedSky
February 3, 2025 at 9:52 PM
New from Chris Cai, @akesselheim.bsky.social and @benro.me in JAMA:
Despite having gone off patent decades ago, repurposing the antidepressant doxepin for insomnia has led to persistent high prices even though generics are available, highlighting the need for policy reform in drug repurposing.
Despite having gone off patent decades ago, repurposing the antidepressant doxepin for insomnia has led to persistent high prices even though generics are available, highlighting the need for policy reform in drug repurposing.
Reposted by Ben Rome
Despite the availability of generic low-dose doxepin for insomnia, the medication remains costly and less frequently used compared to other insomnia treatments.
ja.ma/4aLCKid
#MedSky
ja.ma/4aLCKid
#MedSky
February 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Despite the availability of generic low-dose doxepin for insomnia, the medication remains costly and less frequently used compared to other insomnia treatments.
ja.ma/4aLCKid
#MedSky
ja.ma/4aLCKid
#MedSky
🩺📊 #medsky
New piece led by Anushka Bhaskar @portalresearch.org in STAT First Opinion on protecting public health agencies from damaging political interference -- even the threat of which can greatly affect people's behavior: www.statnews.com/2025/01/31/p...
How to protect HHS, FDA, NIH, and other health agencies from political interference
When politicians subordinate scientific institutions to electoral interests, they undermine immediate public health efforts and inflict lasting damage on institutional credibility.
www.statnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🩺📊 #medsky
Reposted by Ben Rome
New piece led by Anushka Bhaskar @portalresearch.org in STAT First Opinion on protecting public health agencies from damaging political interference -- even the threat of which can greatly affect people's behavior: www.statnews.com/2025/01/31/p...
How to protect HHS, FDA, NIH, and other health agencies from political interference
When politicians subordinate scientific institutions to electoral interests, they undermine immediate public health efforts and inflict lasting damage on institutional credibility.
www.statnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
New piece led by Anushka Bhaskar @portalresearch.org in STAT First Opinion on protecting public health agencies from damaging political interference -- even the threat of which can greatly affect people's behavior: www.statnews.com/2025/01/31/p...
Seems like the Trump administration plans to push ahead with negotiating drug prices under the Inflation Reduction Act! 💊🩺📊
A glimmer of positive news among a sea of mayhem this week.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
A glimmer of positive news among a sea of mayhem this week.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
January 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Seems like the Trump administration plans to push ahead with negotiating drug prices under the Inflation Reduction Act! 💊🩺📊
A glimmer of positive news among a sea of mayhem this week.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
A glimmer of positive news among a sea of mayhem this week.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
Rescinding an executive order that directed CMMI to study models to lower drug costs isn’t the same as directing CMMI to stop implementing those models, is it?? #healthpolicy
January 22, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Rescinding an executive order that directed CMMI to study models to lower drug costs isn’t the same as directing CMMI to stop implementing those models, is it?? #healthpolicy
📰 15 more drugs up for Medicare price negotiation this year. Including the blockbuster diabetes/obesity drug semaglutide!! 💊🩺📈🧪
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
HHS Announces 15 Additional Drugs Selected for Medicare Drug Price Negotiations in Continued Effort to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors | CMS
Medicare has selected 15 more drugs to negotiate directly with participating drug companies. Building on the success of the first round of negotiations, the aim is to lower prices for some more of the...
www.cms.gov
January 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM
📰 15 more drugs up for Medicare price negotiation this year. Including the blockbuster diabetes/obesity drug semaglutide!! 💊🩺📈🧪
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
Reposted by Ben Rome
Writing in @jama.com, @rgfrank.bsky.social and I have a new piece examining the IRA's Medicare Part D redesign. We argue that the redesign deserves greater scholarly attention and discuss four key themes of interest to policymakers. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Assessing the Effect of the Medicare Part D Redesign
This Viewpoint focuses on the Manufacturer Discount Program, identifying 4 key themes of interest to policymakers that may be affected by its Part D redesign.
jamanetwork.com
January 13, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Writing in @jama.com, @rgfrank.bsky.social and I have a new piece examining the IRA's Medicare Part D redesign. We argue that the redesign deserves greater scholarly attention and discuss four key themes of interest to policymakers. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Anything Aaron writes is worth reading 👇👇
It was a pleasure to write this piece for Health Affairs on risk adjustment in Medicare. Risk adjustment modifies payments to health plans or ACOs based on patient/beneficiary characteristics. Here's a very brief summary of my thoughts🧵
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1...
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1...
January 8, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Anything Aaron writes is worth reading 👇👇
Nice @nytimes.com summary of some GOOD recommendations for reforming the #FDA… from experts including from @portalresearch.org director @akesselheim.bsky.social. 🩺📊🛟
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/22/w...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/22/w...
R.F.K. Jr. Wants to Overhaul the F.D.A. How Would Scientists Change It?
While some agree with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that the agency needs reform, their ideas for fixing it are very different from his.
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Nice @nytimes.com summary of some GOOD recommendations for reforming the #FDA… from experts including from @portalresearch.org director @akesselheim.bsky.social. 🩺📊🛟
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/22/w...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/22/w...
Excellent summary of what to watch for with the #FDA in the upcoming administration. 🩺📊🛟
The wrong ways and right ways to reform the FDA in the new administration - new in Health Affairs Forefront from me and Josh Sharfstein: www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Will The New Administration’s FDA Be A Threat Or An Opportunity For The Public's Health? | Health Affairs Forefront
As various reform ideas are proposed, the organized medical and scientific community will need to work with the new leadership at the FDA to promote positive change–and oppose initiatives that undermi...
www.healthaffairs.org
December 15, 2024 at 1:31 AM
Excellent summary of what to watch for with the #FDA in the upcoming administration. 🩺📊🛟
Reposted by Ben Rome
The wrong ways and right ways to reform the FDA in the new administration - new in Health Affairs Forefront from me and Josh Sharfstein: www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Will The New Administration’s FDA Be A Threat Or An Opportunity For The Public's Health? | Health Affairs Forefront
As various reform ideas are proposed, the organized medical and scientific community will need to work with the new leadership at the FDA to promote positive change–and oppose initiatives that undermi...
www.healthaffairs.org
December 13, 2024 at 3:14 PM
The wrong ways and right ways to reform the FDA in the new administration - new in Health Affairs Forefront from me and Josh Sharfstein: www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
🚨New @portalresearch.org paper🚨 in JAMA Health Forum.
HIGHLIGHTS:
🔵 Biosimilars made up <2% of adalimumab use in 2023.
🔵 Net prices dropped by >40%...but the Humira list price increased.
Meaning: Abbvie payed confidential rebates to maintain Humira dominance. 💊🩺📊
📜 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
HIGHLIGHTS:
🔵 Biosimilars made up <2% of adalimumab use in 2023.
🔵 Net prices dropped by >40%...but the Humira list price increased.
Meaning: Abbvie payed confidential rebates to maintain Humira dominance. 💊🩺📊
📜 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
December 13, 2024 at 8:40 PM
🚨New @portalresearch.org paper🚨 in JAMA Health Forum.
HIGHLIGHTS:
🔵 Biosimilars made up <2% of adalimumab use in 2023.
🔵 Net prices dropped by >40%...but the Humira list price increased.
Meaning: Abbvie payed confidential rebates to maintain Humira dominance. 💊🩺📊
📜 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
HIGHLIGHTS:
🔵 Biosimilars made up <2% of adalimumab use in 2023.
🔵 Net prices dropped by >40%...but the Humira list price increased.
Meaning: Abbvie payed confidential rebates to maintain Humira dominance. 💊🩺📊
📜 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Ben Rome
Complex new study in American Heart Journal from former @portalresearch.org fellow Catherine Hwang and PORTAL faculty @benro.me about primary adherence to ARNIs vs ACEI/ARBs. Bottom line: no difference but longer to fill for the more expensive ARNIs: tinyurl.com/395bjdvr
ClinicalKey
tinyurl.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Complex new study in American Heart Journal from former @portalresearch.org fellow Catherine Hwang and PORTAL faculty @benro.me about primary adherence to ARNIs vs ACEI/ARBs. Bottom line: no difference but longer to fill for the more expensive ARNIs: tinyurl.com/395bjdvr
Just got a cold call from a group called "Voters for Cures" asking me to lobby Congress to pass PBM reform.
No surprise who's funding that campaign. 🙄
We absolutely need PBM regulation. But I hope Congress makes sensible reforms that don't ultimately raise prices by manufacturers. #Healthpolicy
No surprise who's funding that campaign. 🙄
We absolutely need PBM regulation. But I hope Congress makes sensible reforms that don't ultimately raise prices by manufacturers. #Healthpolicy
December 2, 2024 at 3:56 PM
Just got a cold call from a group called "Voters for Cures" asking me to lobby Congress to pass PBM reform.
No surprise who's funding that campaign. 🙄
We absolutely need PBM regulation. But I hope Congress makes sensible reforms that don't ultimately raise prices by manufacturers. #Healthpolicy
No surprise who's funding that campaign. 🙄
We absolutely need PBM regulation. But I hope Congress makes sensible reforms that don't ultimately raise prices by manufacturers. #Healthpolicy