STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about bigger drug discounts in Germany, drugmakers embracing secrecy, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about bigger drug discounts in Germany, drugmakers embracing secrecy, and more U.S. will spend up to $160 million on custom-made medicines for exceedingly rare diseases Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Damian GardeJuly 10, 2026 Reporter at Large, Live and Feature Journalism Damian Garde[email protected]Damian covers the global drug industry and contributes to STAT’s industry-leading events. You can reach Damian on Signal at damiangarde.67. Good morning, everyone. Damian Garde here, filling in for Ed Silverman at Pharmalot’s satellite campus along the East River, where today’s cup of stimulation is filled not with coffee but rather a smoothie of curious color and questionable contents (what exactly is an “adaptogen”?). Anyway it’s Friday, as you’re almost certainly aware, and here are some tidbits to help you through the waning hours of another working week. … German lawmakers passed a bill that would more than double the discount on branded medicines drugmakers must provide to the government, Reuters reports. The policy, part of an effort to plug a sizable budget gap in the country’s health insurance system, would increase the mandatory rebate from 7% to 15.5%. Industry groups have said the bill, if it clears Germany’s upper chamber, would deter investment and imperil the country’s access to new medicines.Advertisement The rapid rise of China’s biotech industry has led some American drug developers to do their work in near total secrecy, the Wall Street Journal observes. U.S. startups are increasingly loath to publish early data, disclose their scientific ambitions, or even publicize which diseases they hope to treat, all in fear that nimble Chinese firms will use that information to whip up competing drugs and beat them to the punch of starting clinical trials. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In pharmalittle, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Damian Garde Reporter at Large, Live and Feature Journalism Damian covers the global drug industry and contributes to STAT’s industry-leading events. You can reach Damian on Signal at damiangarde.67. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot July 9, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about FDA commissioner contenders, a heart drug failure, and more Pharmalot July 8, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Vera kidney drug approval, a U.K. Enhertu pricing deal, and more Advertisement Pharmalot July 7, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a $10 billion Vertex deal, the pace of FDA drug approvals, and more Pharmalot July 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Novartis acquisition, Republicans backing clinical trial diversity, and more Pharmalot July 2, 2026 STAT Plus: Lawmakers urge HHS to force Eli Lilly to provide 340B drug discounts to hospitals Subscriber Picks