STAT+: Pharma’s drug spending deflection

STAT PlusNewsletterHealth Care Inc. Newsletter Pharma’s drug spending deflection You reading STAT’s Health Care Inc. newsletter Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanJuly 27, 2026 Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman[email protected]Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. This is the online version of STAT’s weekly email newsletter Health Care Inc. Sign up here. Hello! Wanna drop some cars in an open pasture? The internet does it again. Drop some tips and feedback here: [email protected].Advertisement PhRMA doesn’t want you to look at drug spending Lobbying groups frequently send news releases and talking points to journalists as a way to influence reporting. Right now, the pharmaceutical industry’s primary lobbying shop, PhRMA, wants everyone to ignore the clear-cut rise in prescription drug spending. 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 biotechnology, CMS, drug development, government agencies, insurance, legal, medicare advantage, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended Biotech July 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Sarepta names Michael Severino, former Tessera CEO, as new chief executive Biotech July 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Ahead of hearing, FDA questions the efficacy of Capricor’s Duchenne drug Advertisement Biotech July 27, 2026 STAT Plus: RA Capital backs upstart rival to Ultragenyx and Ionis in rare brain disease Biotech July 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Argenx to buy Forte Biosciences for $2.2B Health July 24, 2026 FDA advisory panel narrowly rejects compounding of one peptide, backs two others Subscriber Picks