STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a PhRMA ad campaign aimed at 340B, sales of Novo’s obesity pill, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a PhRMA ad campaign aimed at 340B, sales of Novo’s obesity pill, and more The FDA rejection rate for cell and gene therapies has risen from 18% to 38% Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanMay 6, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Good morning, everyone, the middle of the week has arrived, and this calls for a celebratory cup or two of stimulation. How so? Well, you made it this far, which can be an accomplishment, after all. Moreover, there is always good reason to forge ahead, given that there is so much more to do and the effort just might pay off. With this in mind, we have fired up the trusty coffee kettle. Our choice today is crème brûlée. Meanwhile, we have assembled the usual menu of tidbits for your perusal. Hope you have a smashing day, and do drop us a line when you run across something interesting. … One of the most powerful pharmaceutical lobbying groups in Washington is launching a new seven-figure advertising blitz targeting a federal drug discount program that has ballooned in recent years, Bloomberg Law reports. The campaign set to run Wednesday by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America takes aim at the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a federal plan that requires manufacturers under Medicaid to provide drugs at significantly reduced prices to health providers that care for a high number of low-income and uninsured patients. In the 30-second ad, a group of administrators at a fictional nonprofit hospital manipulate the program to divert 340B benefits to the hospital instead of patients, then use the money for other perks.Advertisement The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejection rate for cell and gene therapies was 18% from 2020 to 2024, but subsequently rose to 38% over the subsequent 15 months, STAT tells us, citing data from the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine. The numbers underscore concern expressed at the Meeting on the Med conference in Rome last week. Rejections and reversals of prior directives at the FDA division responsible for reviewing cell and gene therapies have destabilized the already shaky footing of this field. What companies previously saw and relied on as regulatory stability and collaboration has teetered. Although the industry hopes for a friendlier replacement for Vinay Prasad, who headed the division but was recently pushed out, worries about the ongoing turmoil at the FDA, including many offices being understaffed, cropped up on other panels at the conference. 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 Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot May 5, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharma’s reputation among patient groups rose last year, but concerns remain over access and pricing Pharmalot May 5, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about RFK Jr. targeting antidepressants, J&J pushing an IBD drug, and more Advertisement Pharmalot May 4, 2026 STAT Plus: French regulator fines Novo and Lilly over weight loss ad campaigns Pharmalot May 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about an abortion pill controversy, another UCB deal, and more news Pharmalot May 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Subscriber Picks