The FDA pushes aggressive timeline to implement AI-assisted drug reviews: The FDA plans to speed up drug reviews with AI by the end of June, but pharma companies already concerned about the impact of layoffs and recent drug approval delays shouldn’t see it as a silver bullet.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty steps down: New leadership will aim to straighten out the company’s Medicare Advantage business to appease Wall Street. But we’re also keeping an eye on what they’ll do to improve UHG’s sinking reputation.
Gilead joins pharma companies that are boosting US manufacturing amid Trump-induced challenges: Gilead Sciences faces unique challenges as a leading HIV drugmaker—Trump’s tariff threats coincide with cuts to global HIV programs and LGBTQ+ healthcare initiatives.
Trump asks regulators to make it easier to build US drug manufacturing sites: Drugmakers should wait for the precise tariff rate on the sector—set to come within two weeks—before investing in more domestic infrastructure.
Function Health acquires Ezra, drops price of full-body MRI scan: Whole-body MRI screenings are out of most people’s price range. Marketers and influencers fueling the preventative wellness trend should also remind consumers of lower-cost, more accessible services.
Direct-to-patient models could pay off for pharma: But if pharma companies bypass middlemen such as insurers and PBMs, they’ll need to pay attention to where patients see the biggest needs for improvement to their healthcare experience— and not just try to fill as many new prescriptions as possible.
Trump admin invests $500M for universal vaccine project: Perhaps the administration isn’t as anti-vax as publicly perceived. However, vaccine makers are still on high alert as approval timelines for vaccines undergoing trials could get pushed back.
Pharma gains confidence around threatened Trump administration tariffs on drug imports: Big Pharmas are notching wins with the Trump administration through new US manufacturing and national security commitments, which improves the potential for tariff exemptions or delays.
Big Pharma earnings don’t feel the impact of Trump's current tariffs—yet: Several large pharmas kept yearly financial guidance in place during Q1 earnings calls, highlighting how they’re absorbing current tariff costs. However, major business disruptions will take effect once Trump’s threat of 25% or more pharma tariffs lands.
Abbott estimates millions in tariff costs, but may blunt some effects with $500 million investment in new US manufacturing: Pharma manufacturers currently under reprieve should pay attention to medtech industry effects and strategy shifts.
Brand-name drug prices could see the biggest jumps under newly promised tariffs: The Trump administration’s renewed push for pharma tariffs would mean higher drug manufacturing costs across the board, but especially for brand-name medicines.
Novartis is the latest Big Pharma company to invest billions in US production capacity: The largest drugmakers continue moving manufacturing to the US as the industry awaits Trump’s tariff plan for pharma. Generic drugmakers—which supply 90% of US prescriptions—won’t have the same maneuverability.
Once valued at $100 billion in 2015, Walgreens Boots Alliance has seen its market value plummet to approximately $10 billion today, with shares down 45% in the last 12 months—making it the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 in 2024.
Peloton owns half of all at-home fitness market sales, according to a February Earnest Analytics survey.
Lawmakers investigate telehealth tie-ups with pharma: Despite more scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest, we expect even more Big Pharma D2C launches this year.
Noom expands into hormone replacement therapy: Companies must tread carefully as they enter a new prescription drug segment that comes with medical risks.
Consumers believe they were misled about COVID-19: Their trust in public health leadership will likely only worsen as federal agencies purge personnel and messaging on medical treatments and protective measures gets muddier.
Trump health leaders lean into supplements: As public health agency leaders promote vitamin and mineral supplements, brands and marketers need to maintain trusted science and education messages.