{
  "id": 175759,
  "title": "STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Medicare pilot and orphan drugs, Pfizer cutbacks, and more",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/stat-pharmalittle-were-reading-about-a-medicare-pilot-and-orphan",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-05T13:26:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "STAT News",
    "slug": "stat-news",
    "url": "https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/08/05/medicare-pilot-orphan-drugs-pfizer-cutbacks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Good morning and welcome to the middle of the week. Allow yourself a moment to savor a stimulating cup of ginseng honey while you contemplate the possibilities of the day ahead. STAT+ presents the latest news to fuel your journey towards conquering the world.\n\nThe Medicare pilot program GUARD, aimed at reducing drug prices in Part D, faces opposition from rare disease biotechs. Excluding their drugs from the program could result in a 71% reduction in potential savings, according to experts at Harvard Medical School.\n\nIn other pharmaceutical news, AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb are not in discussions about a merger. Despite previous reports, a source confirmed to Reuters that there is no deal being contemplated or any preliminary talks ongoing between the two companies.\n\nFor more in-depth coverage, continue to STAT+.",
  "summary": "In today's Pharmalittle newsletter, a Medicare pilot and orphan drugs, Pfizer cutbacks, and more.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}