Hello, everyone, and how are you this morning? We are just fine, thank you. Of course, another busy day is unfolding, and so we are coping by quaffing our mandatory cups of stimulation. As always, we invite you to join us. Remember, a prescription is not required. So why not fortify yourselves while you can? You can also enjoy a few items of interest we have assembled for you. Hope you conquer the world today and keep in touch…
Vertex Pharmaceuticals ceo Jeffrey Leiden says that government efforts to rein in prescription drug prices could stymie the development of innovative medicines; Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefits manager in the U.S., says two costly new cholesterol treatments – the PCSK-9 inhibitors – will not be budget busters; A fight over how long to protect biologics from lower-cost imitators is now the leading obstacle to negotiations aimed at completing a 12-nation trade agreement spanning the Pacific; and Sarepta Therapeutics released new data on its Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug the company believes make a strong case supporting U.S. approval early next year.