MRK (US)


December 29, 2025

Obesity Model & “Deal” Demo Exclusions

By John Leppard

CMS’s BALANCE Model to facilitate coverage of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) [LLY, NVO] in Medicaid and Medicare Part D (PD) (standalone and Medicare Advantage plans) – released Dec. 23 – while still lacking key details, provides…

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September 25, 2025

Rx Pricing: MFN Demo Incoming?

By John Leppard

The White House’s Office of Management & Budget’s (OMB) disclosure this morning that it is reviewing what appears to be a Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing model is consistent with our long-held expectations, if…

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September 10, 2025

Rx Advertising: Policy Quick Take

By John Leppard

While we can at this point give no better than tossup odds to FDA plans to curtail direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug advertisements surviving inevitable legal challenges, we caution that the enforcement approach outlined by the agency…

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August 12, 2025

Rx Most Favored Nation Company Risks

By John Leppard

With President Trump demanding “binding commitments” from drug manufacturers to offer Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing by Sept. 29, we outline company-specific revenue risks and our expectations for an eventual regulatory proposal in 4Q25 /…

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May 12, 2025

Rx Pricing’s Lucy & the Football Moment?

By John Leppard

Investors should view today’s drug pricing Executive Order (EO) with relief, and while the biopharma industry remains on notice for potential future regulatory actions, we suspect the courts would intervene to stop any overly broad…

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