Why drugmakers are lobbying hard | Morning Newsletter
๐ And a holiday tip for next year: Buy gifts by August
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Weโre inching closer to Friday.
Expect sunny skies and a high of 48.
Be aware of road closures, bus detours, and parking restrictions for todayโs tree-lighting ceremony in Philly and Saturdayโs holiday parade.
It was a huge defeat for Big Pharma when Congress and President Joe Biden enacted a law aimed in part at lowering prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. Our lead story follows one Philly-area drugmaker, Merck, as it tries to fight back in the courts and on Capitol Hill.
โ Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Merck, the biggest employer in Montgomery County, filed a lawsuit in June alleging the Inflation Reduction Actโs drug price negotiation program for Medicare amounts to extortion and violates the U.S. Constitution.
The company is also beefing up its spending for advocacy in Washington, too. The drugmaker spent $8.2 million on federal lobbying through September โ the most it has spent in the first three quarters since 2012.
The Biden administration in August announced that Merckโs drug Januvia, which treats type 2 diabetes, will be among the first medications subject to Medicare-negotiated prices starting in 2026. Merck will likely lose millions of dollars in Medicare payments and has said it anticipates more of its drugs will soon be targeted, too.
The lawโs supporters say itโs a much-needed first step toward reining in what they call government-enabled drug monopolies.
Keep in mind: The fight comes as Biden is pitching his push to lower drug prices at the center of his 2024 reelection campaign.
Read on to understand Merckโs argument as to why it needs to charge market prices.
Thereโs already dozens of presents under the Christmas tree at Katie and Luis Garciaโs Bellmawr home.
When everyone else was flocking to the mall for Black Friday shopping or had booted up their computers to participate in Cyber Monday, the couple were wrapping the gifts they bought months ago for about 20 relatives and friends.
Why so early? Katie Garcia loves Christmas, but doesnโt want to spend large amounts of money in November and December. For about five years, she makes her first purchases in March and aims to finish by August. It reduces the financial anxiety she used to feel this time of year.
In her own words: โNot only was it hard on my budget, but it was really stressful,โ Garcia said. โNow in December, Iโm going away on vacation โฆ Iโm not going to have to worry about whatโs wrapped, who I still need to buy for. Iโm literally going to be on an island having a drink.โ
Read on to learn more about how she strategizes her gift-buying.
What you should know today
The University of Pennsylvania student organizers who screened a film critical of Israel on campus could face disciplinary consequences.
More than 100 people gathered at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Wednesday to celebrate the third annual Palestinian Day of Solidarity. There were no representatives from the city present.
GOP State Rep. Craig Williams, who led the effort last year to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, is running for Pennsylvania attorney general.
Suburban police chiefs say theyโre encouraged by Kevin Bethelโs appointment as Philadelphiaโs next police commissioner.
Philadelphia is poised to pass a ski mask ban in certain public spaces this week, drawing support from police and criticism from the ACLU.
The Franklin Instituteโs IMAX theater will not be reopening. Itโs been closed since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
NJDOTโs sassy highway signs are back, and this time with Christmas spirit.
๐ง Trivia time
Who secretly outbid Rob McElhenney for Kylie Kelceโs signed Princess Diana Eagles jacket?
A) Kaitlin Olson
B) Bradley Cooper
C) Charlie Day
D) None of the above
Think you know? Check your answer.
What weโre...
๐ป Anticipating: Join reporters Oona Goodin-Smith and Jeremy Roebuck for a Reddit AMA on r/philadelphia today at 12:15 p.m. as they discuss their coverage of former Local 98 leader John Doughertyโs embezzlement trial. Go beyond the headlines and see what theyโve learned in court so far and whatโs to come.
๐ญ Wondering: How many of these quirky holiday traditions do you do?
๐งฉ Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Their Christmas duet is at the top of the Billboard charts
BERET SHERLOCK
Email us if you know the answer. Weโll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Alison Cook, who correctly guessed Wednesdayโs answer: Jeannine Cook.
Photo of the day
And thatโs all I have for you this morning. Iโm off to grab my first cup of coffee.โ Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer.
