Trending News Today: Trump Administration Resumes Risk Payments to Insurers

Eisai-Biogen’s investigational Alzheimer disease drug, BAN2401, will advance to late-stage clinical trials, Reuters reported. According to the article, the drug slowed Alzheimer progression at the highest dose, despite failing in an earlier stage when the drug did not appear to be working at the 12-month mark. However, after 18 months of treatments, patients who received the highest dose of BAN2401 saw a statistically significant improvement compared with placebo in cognitive and biological measures of Alzheimer, the article reported.

The Trump administration announced that it would resume risk payments to health insurers under the Affordable Care Act, the New York Times reported. According to the article, the administration suspended the program, which makes payments to insurers that enroll higher-risk individuals, less than 3 weeks ago. The administration said it would resume payments because otherwise health plans could become insolvent or withdraw from the market, the article reported.

Executives at Eli Lilly are denouncing the Trump administration’s proposal to consider foreign prescription drug importation, The Hill reported. According to the article, executives expressed concern about the idea during the company’s second quarter earnings calls on Tuesday. Eli Lilly chairman and CEO David Ricks said he believes in improving access to prescription drugs and keeping prices affordable, but regulatory reforms are needed instead of importing drugs, the article reported.