STAT+: U.S. judge blocks Colorado’s first-of-its-kind price cap on an Amgen drug

STAT PlusPharmalot U.S. judge blocks Colorado’s first-of-its-kind price cap on an Amgen drug Drugmaker was ‘likely to be significantly harmed’ by the payment limit placed on Enbrel Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJuly 2, 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. In a victory for the pharmaceutical industry, a federal judge blocked a Colorado state panel from placing a cap on the price of a blockbuster drug sold by Amgen after deciding the company is “likely to be significantly harmed.” The ruling pauses a controversial, first-in-the-nation move by the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board, which was created four years ago in response to the rising cost of prescription medicines and is permitted to set upper payment limits on what most state residents will pay for selected drugs.Advertisement Several other states have similarly established affordability boards, although they all have somewhat different rules and criteria guiding their actions. Colorado, however, has been moving more quickly than other states in choosing medicines that are deemed to be unaffordable and proceeding with decisions to create upper payment limits. 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 Amgen, biotechnology, drug pricing, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, 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 July 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Anthropic drug development goals, Trump drug plan snags, and more Pharmalot June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Chinese trial sites being probed, RFK Jr. and peptides, and more Advertisement Pharmalot June 29, 2026 STAT Plus: AstraZeneca to pay $34 million to settle kickback charges filed by Texas attorney general Pharmalot June 29, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a broader $35 insulin cap, a former FDA cancer drug chief, and more Pharmalot June 26, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Subscriber Picks