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AARP Analysis Debunks Biologic Drug Industry Myth

Association presses Congress to bring less costly generics to market faster

WASHINGTON—A new analysis by AARP’s Public Policy Institute reveals the manufacturers of many top-selling biologic drugs have recouped average research and development costs several times over in the past six years, often within a single year. The report’s finding busts the myth that allowing generic versions of biologic drugs will undermine further development of these breakthrough medicines.

Unlike traditional chemical drugs, biologic drugs are made from living organisms. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no process in place to approve less costly generic versions of biologics, which can cost thousands of dollars each month.

AARP’s analysis of ten top-selling biologics finds these drugs have had U.S. sales of between $5.5 billion and $14.9 billion since 2003. The average development cost for a new biologic drug is $1.2 billion, according to the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. All of the drugs examined more than recovered the average development cost of a biologic drug in just three years of sales between 2003 and 2005.

“For more than 20 years, generic versions of chemical drugs have given Americans access to safe, inexpensive treatments for their health problems without hindering scientific innovation,” said AARP Executive Vice President John Rother. “With more Americans taking biologic drugs for relatively common diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis, it’s time to bring affordable generic biologics to the market.”

AARP is telling lawmakers that a process to approve generic biologic drugs must be a part of comprehensive health reform. The Association has endorsed the “Promoting Innovation and Access to Life-Saving Medicine Act” (H.R. 1427/S. 726), which would create a process for the approval of generic biologic drugs. This bill would prevent generic competition from entering the market for the first five years after a new biologic drug is approved, providing a common-sense balance between encouraging innovation and increasing access to these life-saving medicines.

Rother added: “This bill is a win-win both for biologic drug makers and for those Americans with the most desperate medical conditions who are struggling to afford the medicines they need.”

A competing bill, the “Pathway for Biosimilars Act” (H.R. 1548), would force consumers to wait twelve years before being able to purchase the lower cost generic version of their medicine.

AARP’s report, “Biologics in Perspective: The Case for Generic Biologic Drugs,” is available at http://www.aarp.org/research/health/drugs/fs155_biologics.html.

For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.aarp.org/governmentwatch.

Added: May 21, 2009
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AARP Calls for Cuts in Medicare Waste and Fraud

New follow-up care benefit would prevent costly hospital readmissions

With the federal government now predicting an even shorter lifespan for the Medicare trust fund, AARP is pressing lawmakers to make Medicare improvements that will save the program and its members billions of dollars each year. Specifically, the Association is telling Congress to crack down on Medicare fraud and include a follow-up care benefit in Medicare that would reduce costly hospital readmissions.

During a nationwide tele-briefing on May 15, AARP officials discussed the findings of their recent report, “Chronic Care: A Call to Action for Health Reform.” The report, which surveyed older Americans with chronic disease, found 1 in 5 people has suffered because of poor communication with and among their health care providers. Many reported getting conflicting instructions from their doctors and nurses.

“The lack of coordination in health care is needlessly sending millions of Americans back to the hospital each year, including 19.2 percent in Kansas,” said AARP Kansas State Director Maren Turner. “Simply by adding a follow-up care benefit to Medicare, we can help people move from the hospital back into their home or nursing home with the information and resources they need to stay healthy.”

During the briefing, AARP also announced its endorsement of new legislation to crack down on the billions of dollars lost each year to Medicare fraud. The bipartisan Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation Protection (STOP) Act, sponsored by Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and John Cornyn (R-TX), would provide the resources needed to detect and prosecute fraud and take common-sense steps to protect people in Medicare.

Turner added: “At a time when Americans are counting every penny, we cannot afford to waste billions of dollars each year on health care fraud. As lawmakers work to enact comprehensive health reform, they must crack down on the waste, fraud and abuse that are costing our health care system too much.”

For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.aarp.org/governmentwatch.

Added: May 18, 2009
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AARP Announces Specific Goals for Health Reform

AARP has announced six specific elements that must be part of health reform, including closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap and ensuring 50- to 64-year-olds have access to affordable health care choices. AARP members and activists were the first to learn about the announcement when the organization posted its goals on its Government Watch website this morning.

“The next few weeks will be an all-out blitz for health reform,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “As leaders on Capitol Hill hammer out the details of their legislation, we want to make sure they include the priorities that we’re hearing from our members. Any final package must include these critical issues.”

AARP’s health reform campaign will focus on six critical priorities:

1) Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64;

2) Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “doughnut hole”;

3) Creating a Medicare transition benefit to help people safely return to their homes after a hospital stay and prevent costly hospital readmissions;

4) Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home and community based services through Medicaid so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more costly institutions as they age;

5) Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of these costly treatments; and

6) Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.

AARP is launching a month-long television and print advertising campaign. The ads use personal stories to communicate the priorities of AARP members to lawmakers in Washington. The campaign will include full-page ads in the Capitol Hill publications CongressDaily, The Hill, Politico and Roll Call, as well as television ads on Face the Nation, Fox News Sunday, Meet the Press and This Week.

AARP will also leverage the power of its state offices across the country over the coming weeks, with events to build support behind comprehensive health reform. Among the events, AARP New York will co-host a health fair to highlight the need for health reform, including coverage for people 50 to 64. Reps. Jason Altmire and Kathy Dahlkemper will join the AARP Pennsylvania office for a town hall meeting, and Rep. Frank Pallone will host a tele-town hall meeting to discuss health reform with New Jersey AARP members.

LeaMond added: “Whether it’s on Capitol Hill, in their district offices or in the media, our lawmakers will hear from AARP this month. We’ve been working for more than two years to set the stage and the time for health reform is now. We’re excited about the work happening in Washington to address the needs of older Americans as a part of comprehensive health reform.”

For details on AARP’s health reform campaign, visit www.aarp.org/makeadifference/advocacy/GovernmentWatch/HealthCare/.

Added: May 14, 2009
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Street Planners Should Address the Needs of Older Users

Road Planners Display Blind Spot for Oncoming Generation of Older Drivers

Update Design Guidelines and Complete Streets Will Accommodate Everyone, AARP Report Challenges

WASHINGTON, DC--Two-thirds of transportation planners and engineers have yet to begin addressing older people in their street planning; yet by 2025, 64 million people will be over age 65 according to census projectionsand by2030 a quarter of all U.S. drivers will be 65+. This is the alarm raised by “Planning Complete Streets for the Aging of America” a major new report on roadway safety and the aging of the American population from AARP’s Public Policy Institute. The full report can be found here: http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/transportation/2009_02_streets.html.

Streets, sidewalks and roadways designed to achieve “Complete Streets” can make getting around safer for everyone, the report suggests. Yet in a poll of adults age 50+ also conducted for the report, two in five said their neighborhood sidewalks were inadequate (although, by 2030, 20% of those age 65+ will not be drivers). Nearly half said they could not cross main roads close to their home safely, preventing many from walking, bicycling or taking the bus. But safer, more accessible streets won’t happen until federal, state and local authorities and planners wake up to the need for roads that address the challenges of the coming age wave, the report charges.

“Improvements can reduce older driver crashes and pedestrian injuries without adversely affecting traffic; in many instances, local travel flow and accessibility are improved,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President for Social Impact. “But while a growing number of states and localities have Complete Streets policies, too few have been built. Furthermore, an outdated bias in engineering practices competes with current local desire for user-friendly “Complete Streets” design.

The report recommends that federal, state, and local highway and street design guidelines serve older people by 1) reducing vehicle travel speeds at intersections where older drivers and pedestrians need more time to make decisions and execute changes, 2) making the physical layout of roads, crosswalks and sidewalks easier to navigate, and 3) making it easier for older drivers and pedestrians to notice, read, understand and respond to visual cues and information.

Because of time required to plan and make these improvements, communities need to begin now in order to be ready for the age wave, the report states. “It takes time to plan, design, fund and build capital projects,” said LeaMond. “Federal officials, planners and traffic engineers need to focus now on adjusting roads to become safer and more user-friendly for everyone.”

Men outlive their driving years on average by 7 years and women by 10, the AARP report reiterates. “’Complete Streets’ make walking more appealing and crossing streets safer for everyone,” said AARP’s LeaMond. Complete Streets legislation was recently introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives. AARP is a member of the Complete Streets Coalition (http://www.completestreets.org).

The research process for “Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America” included an online survey of 1,134 state and local transportation planners and engineers conducted from August 4 to September 3, 2008. A public opinion telephone survey of 1,006people age 50 and older was conducted from July 9-15, 2008 with a margin of error of +/-3.09% at the 95% confidence level. An interdisciplinary team of planners, engineers and policy advocates reviewed safety research and offered policy and design recommendations as part of the development of the report and the report includes an inventory and evaluation of 80 existing “Complete Streets” policies.

Added: May 14, 2009
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AARP Fights to Reduce Unnecessary Hospital Readmissions

Summer vacation may be approaching fast for Kansas school kids, but your AARP Kansas volunteers will be working hard on an advocacy blitz to improve the health care system. Keeping Medicare strong for current and future generations is a top priority. We want to lower costs for people on Medicare, while also eliminating waste, fraud and abuse that squander money, and result in medical errors and poor care.

Skyrocketing costs and our economic crisis are pricing millions of beneficiaries out of the care they need. Medicare patients now spend an average of 30% of their incomes on out-of-pocket health costs -- six times more than those with employer coverage

These runaway health costs burden families and the Medicare program itself. To address them, AARP supports an array of actions to contain costs, attack waste and make care more efficient. For example, AARP is also fighting to reduce unnecessary rehospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries. A recent study found that one in five people on Medicare who leave the hospital have to go back within 30 days, and about one-third have to go back within 90 days. These unplanned and often avoidable readmissions cost Medicare $17.4 billion in 2004.

A way to reduce them would be for Medicare to establish a follow up care benefit that helps patients transition home safely after a hospital stay. Under such a benefit, a team of health professionals could establish an individual plan for each patient, to make sure he or she gets adequate follow-up help -- including medication management and education -- to thrive after discharge to home or another facility.

These common-sense health reforms are not likely to be enacted without AARP’s leadership. We need your support and your voice to convince Congress to act on them. So please sign up today at www.healthactionnow.org.

Added: May 13, 2009
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Kansans Age 50 to 64 At Risk of Not Having Health Care Insurance

“Health Insurance Crisis is Hitting 50-64 Age Group Hard!”

Fourteen percent (70,947) of Kansans age 50 to 64 do not have health insurance

AARP has made guaranteeing access to affordable health coverage for people aged 50-64 an essential element of health reform. Why? Americans aged 50-64-- who make up nearly half of AARP’s 40 million members -- are taking a hard hit in these times of shrinking employer-sponsored health coverage. They have become the fastest growing group of uninsured.

The rate at which they have been losing coverage is really alarming -- 36 percent between 2000 and 2009. And, now, in today’s turbulent economy, as more working men and women in this age group are losing jobs with employer-sponsored health care, they are finding it more and more difficult – if not impossible -- to get affordable individual coverage.

This is -- in large part -- because health insurers consider age and pre-existing conditions when setting their rates. Seven of every ten Americans in this age group have at least one -- if not several – such chronic health conditions as diabetes and heart disease. Insurance industry data show that insurers reject between 17 and 28 percent of all applications from people aged 50-64. And those “lucky”enough to find individual coverage must pay, on average, premiums that average three times higher than premiums for those of the same age who have employer coverage. And their out-of-pocket spending for health care is more than twice that of those with employer coverage -- despite less generous benefits.

This problem is becoming more serious because, thanks to the aging of the baby boomers, our 50-64 population is growing rapidly. Nearly one of every five Americans will be 50-64 by 2015. So, AARP is pressing Congress to find a common-sense solution to the coverage gap for 50-64-year-olds. For information on AARP’s efforts to help people in this age group – and on ways you can help – please check out our new web page for health reform – www.healthactionnow.org.

Added: May 12, 2009
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How to Prevent the Spread of H1N1 Flu

H1N1 Flu & Seasonal Influenza

NOTE: Medical and technical questions regarding H1N1 flu should be referred to the Centers for Disease Control media relations office at (404) 639-3286.

AARP urges anyone with flu-like symptoms—including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea—to contact their health professional to find out if they should be tested or treated for seasonal influenza or H1N1 flu.
You can help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu and other illnesses by:
- Washing your hands regularly with soap and water;
- Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
- Avoiding contact with sick people; and
- Staying home from school or work if you feel sick.
While we encourage all older Americans to get an annual vaccine for seasonal flu, the swine flu strain is not prevented by the seasonal flu vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control have important information about swine flu available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccinations

We encourage people to take personal responsibility for their health with preventive measures—like flu shots—to guard against illness and disease. Keeping people healthy is more efficient and economical than caring for people after they get sick.
People 50+ are more vulnerable to the flu and its complications, so anyone 50 or older should get a flu shot. You can find a flu shot clinic at AARP.org/flu.
A growing number of Americans are caregivers. This sandwich generation needs to get immunized to prevent serious disease for themselves and also for the people they care for—grandchildren and older parents.
In a 2007 AARP survey, we learned nearly half of 50+ Americans skipped their flu shot. Many mistakenly believed the vaccine could give them the flu.
This is also a good time to ask your doctor about a vaccine for pneumococcal disease, which causes 4,800 deaths annually. Everyone 65+ should consider a pneumococcal vaccine.

Added: April 30, 2009
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AARP Hosts "Live Festival" in San Antonio in May

AARP to Host Cross-Generational
‘Life Festival’ in San Antonio
May 15-16

Event Will Feature Nearly 100 Exhibits, Forums on

Health Care and Financial Security, Job Fair for Older Workers, Free Health Screenings and Top Musicians

***LOS LOBOS TO HEADLINE ENTERTAINMENT***

SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 27, 2009) – AARP, the world’s largest advocacy organization for people age 50+, today announced it will bring its first ever “Life Festival” event to San Antonio on May 15-16. The two-day, cross-generational celebration will feature high-profile speakers addressing health, wellness and financial security topics, exhibits, free health screenings, a job fair, and a banner weekend of musical entertainment. UnitedHealth Group has signed on as the premier sponsor for the AARP Life Festival.

“At a time when our country is in the middle of an economic slump and the health care crisis is at an all time high, we hope to help the people of San Antonio navigate these uncertain times by delivering relevant information and resources,” said AARP Texas State Director Bob Jackson. “AARP is committed to improving the quality of life for Americans of all ages and the festival is just one more way we are able to connect with them on a one-to-one basis and arm them with the tools they need.”

The festival will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and is free to all AARP members and only $10 for non-members age 40 and up (includes a 1-year AARP membership, a $16 value). Featured speakers include:

· Sandra Cisneros, writer best known for her acclaimed novel The House on Mango Street (1984) and her subsequent short story collection Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories (1991).

· Carmen Marc Valvo, fashion designer, cancer survivor, and healthy living advocate

· Father Albert Cutie, radio personality, author and advisor

· Jorge Ramos, ESPN Deportes sports commentator

· Henry G. Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio

· Dr. Ana Fuentevilla, medical director for the national support team of Evercare, which is one of the nation’s largest health-coordination programs for people with long-term or advanced illnesses, seniors and persons with disabilities.

The Friday evening (May 15^th) concert, through the gracious support of The Academy of Tejano Artists and Musicians, will include performances by:

· Lush – a band headed-up by noted Tejano singer and Grammy Award-nominee, Stefani Montiel, who performs a variety of music, including old standards.

· Las Voces de Tejas (The Voices of Texas) – an all-female, Grammy Award nominated mariachi “supergroup”, featuring Patsy Torres, Shelly Lares, Rebecca Valadez, Stefani Montiel and Leslie Lugo.

· Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution – Grammy Award-winning Tejano music legend.

The Saturday evening (May 16^th) concert will feature three-time Grammy Award winners Los Lobos, who have notched a number one single and sold millions of records worldwide.

Evening concerts will be open to attendees for an additional fee and tickets are $10-$25. All concert tickets must be purchased on site and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Daytime festival activities for attendees will include a “marketplace,” featuring approximately 100 national and local businesses, and engaged organizations that are working to build up our communities and empower people. Attendees will be able to participate in health and wellness events, health screenings, and financial-security activities, along with an interactive exhibit floor where there will be music, entertainment, and interactive learning. Additionally, there will be a job fair featuring local and national companies with job opportunities specifically for older workers.

In conjunction with The Alameda Museum, the AARP Life Festival will also host a “Painting Across Generations” activity for children to paint a portrait of their grandparent. The portraits will be displayed in the “marketplace” and will be eligible to receive a various prizes that promote family activity.

Additional information on the AARP Life Festivals, transportation to the event and pre-registration is available online at www.aarp.org/events.

Added: April 30, 2009
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AARP Applauds Signing of Serve America Act into Law

Washington, DC (April 21, 2009) – AARP today applauded President Barack Obama for enacting a volunteer service bill that he called for during his candidacy and throughout the beginning of his term. AARP CEO Barry Rand, present at today’s ceremony, released the following statement:

“At a time when many communities are in great need, AARP applauds President Obama for signing the bi-partisan Serve America Act into law. This is important legislation that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.

“We know boomers and older Americans stand ready to, as AARP’s founder said, ‘create the good.’ In a survey conducted for AARP last year, millions of boomers and older Americans said that in the next five years, they want to increase their volunteer service to improve their communities and our world.

“The Serve America Act will expand opportunities for people to serve at every stage of life by using service opportunities to meet specific national challenges. We are particularly pleased that the legislation will create more opportunities for people 50+. AARP’s network of volunteers and activists stands millions strong, ready to lead this new era of service.

“Fifty years ago, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded AARP with the motto, ‘To serve, not be served.’ This important legislation is powered by the self-reliance and self-determination of the American people. The same spirit is at the root of AARP. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to build this spirit of service across the country – and across generations – and to help tackle America’s most pressing problems with its greatest resource: the American people.”

Added: April 22, 2009
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Join AARP's Weight Loss Challenge

“Join the AARP Fat 2 Fit Community Weight-Loss Challenge April 15—and be ready for bathing suit season. We'll track our weight loss and see how much we can collectively drop by June 15. Visit www.aarp.org/fat2fit daily to get ready and find tips. Trade stories in the Fat 2 Fit Community. Your coach, Carole Carson, will award weekly prizes for best practices.”

Added: April 13, 2009
Views: 173 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

My Journals (60)