Pharmalittle: We're reading about a plan to lower Medicare drug prices, a Lilly obesity drug, and more

ByEd Silverman

Oct. 1, 2026

Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer

Ed Silverman

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 morningPharmalittle newsletterand the afternoonPharmalot newsletter.

Top of the morning to you. Gray skies are hovering over the Pharmalot campus right now, but our spirits remain sunny, nonetheless. Why? We will trot out a bit of insight from the Morning Mayor, who would advise that “Every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” While you tug on the ribbon, we are brewing still more cups of stimulation and invite you to join us. Remember, a prescription is not required. Our choice today is butter pecan — spiked with bourbon honey. Yummy. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. Hope you have a smashing day and, of course, do stay in touch. …

The Trump administration published a final rule aimed at lowering Medicare prices for drugs administered in doctor offices, but it applies to only four companies and saves 96% less than initial proposal,STATnotes. TheGlobal Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing, or GLOBE, is one of two mandatory pilot programs that are part of President Trump’s plan to get drugmakers to lower prices in Medicare to levels charged in other rich countries, a policy generally referred to as most-favored nation pricing. The other pilot, called GUARD, is still in the proposed stage.

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An investigational combination therapy from Eli Lilly led to significant weight loss in a mid-stage study, but high rates of people stopping the treatment may raise questions about its tolerability,STATwrites. Lilly tested different combinations of its blockbuster GLP-1 drug Zepbound with eloralintide, a candidate that targets the amylin hormone, in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. After 48 weeks, participants who stayed on the treatment at the highest dose of the combination therapy lost 23.3% of their weight. That is more than the weight loss seen with those taking only Zepbound and those taking only the highest dose of eloralintide — 14.8% and 11.1%, respectively.

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1. 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 morningPharmalittle newsletterand the afternoonPharmalot newsletter.

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