The Inflation Reduction Act:

Strategic considerations for drug manufacturers,
including small biotechs and orphan-drug manufacturers

Explanatory. Predictive. Thought-provoking.

“A great report that easily distills down key components of the IRA for subject matter experts. Frames up the IRA in a way that gets you thinking about the implications for your organization and can serve as a great primer for leadership and people not steeped in the landscape changes going on.”

– Small Biotech Manufacturer

Is your brand truly ready for the IRA? Many manufacturers have a false sense of security and believe their products in competitive markets are not at risk. Some manufacturers miss opportunities and discount threats because their product:

  • Is not used by Medicare beneficiaries.
  • Is not raising prices faster than inflation.
  • Qualifies for the small biotech exemption.
  • Qualifies for the orphan-drug exclusion.
  • Is in a protected class.
  • Treats a politically-charged condition or population.

Strategic considerations

Currant’s in-depth report on the IRA is tailored for drug manufacturers, including small biotechs and orphan-drug companies. This 60-page report rigorously analyzes the key Medicare drug pricing provisions — inflation rebates, Part D redesign, and price negotiations — and identifies 80+ strategic considerations to help manufacturers make optimal pricing, contracting, evidence-generation decisions under new and additional pressures.

Actionable insights

Currant’s report offers new, actionable insights to help prepare brands, including:

  • The provision that will likely accelerate the closing of the American formulary.
  • How payers’ responses may be the largest threat to manufacturers.
  • The regulatory known knowns and known unknowns.
  • Costs to stakeholders in different Part D phases and how these differ for drugs that are more and less costly.
  • Challenges when predicting drugs selected for price negotiation.
  • Limits to the number of drugs selected for price negotiation.
  • When small biotechs and orphan-drug manufacturers are helped and hurt
  • Feedback loops among stakeholders, Medicare and commercial plans, Parts B and D drugs, and the IRA provisions themselves.

Developed by experts

Camm Epstein

Camm is a market access strategist and researcher who has been delivering winning payer, hospital, and health system insights for over 30 years. As Currant’s managing director, Camm leads the firm’s strategy and research services.

Joshua Cohen

Joshua is a health economist and independent healthcare analyst who has more than 24 years of experience analyzing, publishing, and presenting on prescription drug pricing, reimbursement by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers, and regulatory and legislative policies that impact market access.

For more information, contact Camm at camm@currantinsights.com or (518) 429-0875.