How Biopharma Companies Can Adapt to Industry Changes: Step One

Posted by Jude Konzelmann on Wed, Apr 19, 2017

Karan Dhundia co-wrote this blog post with Jude Konzelmann.

Today, commercial organizations in the biopharmaceutical industry face a number of challenges that are forcing them to adapt. The first challenge is that as their customers—the physician practices, hospitals, insurers and provider networks that deliver healthcare—have consolidated and evolved, they’ve done so in a very uneven way across geographies. This leaves healthcare delivery in Salt Lake City operating very differently from healthcare delivery in Miami, as an example.

Two Blocked Payer Mega-Mergers and the Future of the Health Insurance Market

Posted by Paul Darling on Mon, Feb 27, 2017

Just weeks ago, a looming merger between two major health insurance companies threatened to alter the health insurance market’s competitive landscape. The $54 billion deal between Anthem and Cigna was blocked by a federal judge in early February, on the same grounds as a $37 billion deal between Aetna and Humana that was blocked in January. According to the judges’ rulings, both deals would have reduced competition and increased prices.

My DC Visit Resulted in More Clarity Than Questions: Four Takeaways

Posted by Pratap Khedkar on Fri, Feb 10, 2017

Like so many millions of people—or so few, depending on whom you ask—I spent a couple of days in our nation’s capital during the Trump administration’s first week, but I wasn’t out on the National Mall with a cleverly worded sign. I was there to join other healthcare industry leaders, thought leaders and pundits as they discussed the evolving healthcare environment. I wanted to get a sense for what may be coming down the pike, and based on what I heard, it seems that the only constant is change—and pharmaceutical leaders better get ready to help shape this change. Here are four of my takeaways:

What Pharma Needs to Know About Local Healthcare Markets

Posted by Paul Darling on Fri, Dec 16, 2016

The “shop local” movement has been a mainstay in the U.S. healthcare marketplace for ages. Patients travel fewer than 30 miles for the majority of their care, which means that healthcare is consumed in local markets, each with unique characteristics, almost like small provinces. Providers are increasingly acknowledging this trend, as evidenced by the recent M&A activity of provider systems across the country. Given the pace of change, it seems that this topic warrants a closer look.  

What Trump's Win Might Mean for Pharma

Posted by Pratap Khedkar on Tue, Dec 06, 2016

First, let’s acknowledge the obvious: Nobody knows what Trump’s win might mean for the pharma industry—not even Mr. Trump. Most presidential candidates outline detailed policies before an election, but as The Economist wrote in its Schumpeter column, “Mr. Trump arrives with a tatty envelope scrawled with a few jottings on the back.” At the same time, pharma stocks are up 10%, so the market sees this as good news.