STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a court win for Amgen, Novo seeking supplier discounts, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a court win for Amgen, Novo seeking supplier discounts, and more Millions more Americans will qualify for obesity drugs at $50 a month under a new Medicare program 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. And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda includes promenading with the official mascots, catching up on our napping, and looking in on the Pharmalot ancestor. We also expect to hold yet another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Summertime is here and the live is supposed to be easy, so … why not head to a beach or lake or a mountain to enjoy some fresh air and scenery? If the weather fails to cooperate, though, you could also duck in to a cinema, library, or watering hole. Maybe this is a moment to read a good book or create the fabulous dish you always wanted to try. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon, given the long weekend due to a holiday on this side of the pond. … In a victory for the pharmaceutical industry, a U.S. judge blocked a Colorado state panel from placing a cap on the price of Amgen’s blockbuster drug Enbrel after deciding the company is “likely to be significantly harmed,” STAT writes. 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 Millions more Americans will qualify for obesity medicines at just $50 a month under a new Medicare program, bringing the highly effective drugs to people aged 65 and older at an affordable price, Reuters explains. A U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 18-month ​trial program will offer for the first time Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Foundayo and Zepbound as a weight-loss treatment alone. Eligible patients are estimated in the single-digit millions. The new price offers a remarkable shift from the last few years, when patients have faced steep out-of-pocket costs for these drugs, with or without ​insurance. 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 July 2, 2026 STAT Plus: U.S. judge blocks Colorado’s first-of-its-kind price cap on an Amgen drug Pharmalot July 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Anthropic drug development goals, Trump drug plan snags, and more Advertisement Pharmalot June 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Chinese trial sites being probed, RFK Jr. and peptides, and more 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 Subscriber Picks