STAT+: Pharmalittle: We're reading about Trump and tariff worries, PBM rules in New York, and more

Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, despite a much-needed spot of rain and the accompanying gloomy clouds hovering over head. After all, we could use a downpour in these parts. And besides, our spirits remain sunny, thanks to that age-old reminder from the Morning Mayor: Every new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift. So while you ponder the notion and tug on the ribbon, here are a few tidbits to help you along the journey today. Meanwhile, we are brewing another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is orange creme. Hope all goes well and, of course, do keep in touch. We appreciate your phone calls, texts, dossiers, and telegrams. …

President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on imposing broad, steep tariffs to create more jobs in the U.S. and combat China. If enacted, these taxes would send the U.S. health care industry scrambling and could eventually force patients and insurers to shell out more for medical care. But no one in the health care industry is in a tizzy just yet, at least not publicly, STAT explains. There are two reasons for that. One: No one knows what Trump is actually going to do. Two: They’re pushing hard for carve-outs behind the scenes. The tariffs Trump promised — 60% on Chinese imports and up to 20% on other imports — are bigger and more sweeping than those Trump imposed during his first term, which were targeted to specific items. A number of health care products, including finished drugs and active ingredients, were exempted from the first-term taxes. It’s unclear whether that will happen next year, but some health care leaders are expressing confidence they will be carved out. 

Upcoming data from a mid-stage study of an experimental weight loss drug from Amgen will shed light on how well it might measure up against the popular GLP-1 drugs sold by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, Reuters tells us. Encouraging comments from Amgen about the 52-week Phase 2 trial helped fuel an 8% rise in its shares over the past year, but the rally lost steam in recent weeks as investors sought details on the safety profile of the injectable drug. Amgen has said its drug could offer quicker weight loss and possibly better weight maintenance, as well as fewer shots, than once-weekly GLP-1s such as Novo’s Wegovy and Lilly’s Zepbound. Wall Street analysts expect the multi-dose trial to show weight loss of at least 20% and have highlighted the need for details on potential side effects including nausea, bone density issues, heart rate, and blood sugar. Amgen plans to announce the Phase 2 trial results before year-end and has already outlined plans for Phase 3 testing needed to submit the drug for regulatory approval.

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