STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about warnings over Trump’s MFN plan, Purdue Pharma sentencing, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about warnings over Trump’s MFN plan, Purdue Pharma sentencing, and more Boehringer Ingelheim disclosed trial results for an obesity drug designed to preserve muscle mass Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanApril 28, 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. Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. And it is getting off to a good start here on the Pharmalot campus, where clear blue skies and pleasant breezes are greeting us. Who could ask for anything more? Actually, we could — it is time to reheat the kettle for another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is apple hibiscus. And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly. Of course, you are invited to join us. For the full experience, we are now hawking replicas — take a look. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to help you along. As always, do keep in touch. We appreciate feedback, criticism, and tips. … Novartis chief executive officer Vas Narasimhan warned that the U.S. drug pricing policy under President Trump poses a “very difficult situation” and the reality will soon catch up with both drugmakers and patients, CNBC tells us. He maintained that Novartis is focused on getting European and Japanese governments to quickly change how they reward innovation, and added that if this does not happen, then novel medicines might see delayed entry into these markets and patients won’t have access to the drugs. The most-favored-nation drug pricing policy, or MFN, implemented by Trump last year means that prices in the big and lucrative U.S. market are tied to prices in comparably wealthy countries. Trump has made lower drug prices for Americans a priority and has long criticized what he calls “foreign nations freeloading on American-financed innovation.”Advertisement Japan risks missing out on new blockbuster treatments due to a drug pricing scheme being adopted in the U.S., Nikkei Asia writes. The Trump administration has been moving forward with a most-favored-nation pricing plan, which matches the price of a given drug to those set in other major countries. The new pricing will be applied to drugs purchased through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and Japan is listed as a reference country for price calculations. The pricing scheme under Medicare references prices in 19 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and various European nations. Manufacturers of the target drugs are required to participate in the Medicare scheme. But drug companies would not need to reference Japan’s drug prices if they do not launch their products there. This raises the possibility of drugmakers refraining from selling products in Japan to avoid lowering prices in the U.S. 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 April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: AIDS group sues Trump administration over undisclosed agreement with Gilead Pharmalot April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: Supreme Court to hear case about ‘skinny labeling’ and generic access Advertisement Pharmalot April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Lilly deal, an Intellia CRISPR rare-disease treatment, and more Pharmalot April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Trump deal with Regeneron, reclassifying medical marijuana, and more Subscriber Picks