STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more Trump administration wants to change a policy to keep drugmakers from avoiding Medicare price talks Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 15, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. So time to give it a little nudge in a better direction by firing up our spiffy new kettle — the last one overheated — for a cup of stimulation. Given this is the start of the week, we are reaching for Jack Daniels. Yes, this is a real option for aspiring connoisseurs. Feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you along. Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and of course, do keep in touch. … The Trump administration proposed to change a policy that is designed to prevent drugmakers from avoiding Medicare price negotiation by adding active ingredients to drugs, STAT tells us. The policy is part of an annual proposed rule that establishes the process that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services uses to choose the next 20 drugs and biologics for price negotiation. Those drugs will be announced by Feb. 1, 2027, and their negotiated prices will take effect in 2029. Iif a company adds a second drug to one that is eligible for negotiation, the FDA considers the resulting combination drug a new product, giving it additional time before price negotiation. Now, the administration is proposing to subject certain types of combination biologics to negotiation in some cases. Advertisement German Health Minister Nina Warken said that drugmakers will not be exempted from cost-cutting measures, after some companies warned ​they may be unable to launch innovative medicines ‌in Europe unless governments agree to pay more than they historically have, Reuters writes. Proposed legislation in Germany ⁠will cap rapidly growing costs in the statutory health ​insurance system. Warken said she realizes many drug companies are under pressure, and the planned legislation is not going to bring them any extra ​revenue. But she maintained Germany remains an attractive location for the pharmaceutical industry ​thanks to reimbursement under the statutory health insurance scheme and opportunities for clinical trials. So exempting the industry from the proposed legislation is out of the question. 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’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. 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 June 12, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot June 12, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a discontinued cancer drug, a Novo security breach, and more Advertisement Pharmalot June 11, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about employer coverage of obesity drugs, another Sanofi setback, and more Pharmalot June 10, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about U.S. pressure on European drug prices, longer shortages, and more Pharmalot June 9, 2026 STAT Plus: The shortage of many medicines in the U.S. remains a ‘systemic’ problem, a new analysis finds Subscriber Picks