Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

In this episode of Unscripted, the AMCP podcast, host Laura Bobolts, PharmD, BCOP, talks with Kirollos Hanna, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology, about the rapidly shifting treatment landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The discussion covers the transition toward oral fixed-duration frontline regimens, the latest 2026 NCCN guidelines, and the emerging role of MRD testing. They also explore the clinical and economic implications of these therapies, including how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshaping Medicare formulary strategies and patient access.

Hernandez co-authored a June study in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP) on price benchmarks for selected drugs and their therapeutic alternatives, which concluded different negotiation scenarios for the first 10 drugs. If a drug has a therapeutic alternative, that likely guided the initial price offer from the CMS.

Because most prescription drugs selected for negotiation are highly rebated and discounted—prior to the federal government negotiations—comparisons of MFPs with list prices are somewhat misleading. Many of the ten drugs chosen already had significant rebates, in some cases as high as 68% off of the wholesale acquisition cost.

AMCP recently hosted its third iteration of the IRA workshop series, bringing together health plans, pharmaceutical manufacturers, PBMs, research institutes, and patient advocacy organizations.

Last week, AMCP hosted its second IRA workshop, convening stakeholders to help unpack the complexities of the Inflation Reduction Act and discuss what’s on the horizon. In her latest blog, AMCP CEO Susan Cantrell reflects on the takeaways.

In her latest blog, AMCP CEO Susan Cantrell recaps our inaugural workshop on the IRA, reinforcing that there is still a great deal of uncertainty as key milestones approach. Learn how AMCP is addressing concerns this landmark legislation is causing across managed care pharmacy and the larger healthcare industry.