Advocacy & Practice Updates — Advocacy & Practice
CMS Withdraws ASRS-Opposed Most Favored National Part B Drug Demonstration
This afternoon, CMS issued a proposed rule that would formally withdraw the Most Favored Nation (MFN) demonstration on Part B drugs. Citing earlier injunctions that prevented the agency from implementing the demonstration as planned on January 1, 2021, CMS noted that withdrawing the original interim final rule allows the administration to determine how it will move forward with other efforts to reduce drug prices in the Medicare program.
In comments submitted earlier this year, ASRS noted that the MFN posed a significant threat to patient safety by reducing access to sight-saving drugs. We strongly urged CMS to withdraw the rule and seek stakeholder input before proceeding with any demonstration that could reduce access to Part B drugs.
While ASRS is pleased that CMS has responded to our comments and withdrawn the rule, we continue to monitor drug pricing proposals in Congress that may seek to implement reference pricing models similar to the MFN.
(Published 8.6.21)