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Brian Newell is Deputy Vice President of Public Affairs at PhRMA and serves as lead spokesperson for national media. Before joining PhRMA in 2020, he served as managing director of strategic communications for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Prior to BIO, Brian worked on Capitol Hill for ten years, including roles on the Education and Workforce Committee, the House Republican Conference and the Ways and Means Committee. Brian graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of Maine, his home state. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children – especially summer vacations on the lake in Maine.
Recent Posts
Senate hearing to examine bipartisan reforms to rein in middlemen
By Brian Newell | February 16, 2023
Did you know that insurance companies use middlemen — known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — to decide what medicines people can get and what people pay out of pocket for those medicines?
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New data show how insurers and middlemen shift Rx costs onto patients
By Brian Newell | November 16, 2022
There is only one place in the health care system where middlemen refuse to share negotiated prices with patients, and that’s at the pharmacy counter. A new report reveals how this harmful tactic...
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A key fact the White House is reluctant to admit
By Brian Newell | September 27, 2022
Today, President Biden delivered remarks that touch on recent drug pricing reforms included in the Inflation Reduction Act. While the law is deeply flawed and government price-setting is the wrong...
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Insulin and reconciliation
By Brian Newell | August 15, 2022
With Congress sending to the president a partisan reconciliation spending bill, the cost of insulin is receiving greater attention. Numerous proposals have been introduced in recent months aimed at...
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New analysis finds deeper impact of drug pricing bill on biopharmaceutical researchers
By Brian Newell | August 1, 2022
A new analysis by the health care analytics and research firm Avalere reveals the partisan drug pricing bill will have a much deeper impact on the biopharmaceutical research industry than previously...
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ICYMI: A patient, physician, biotech investor and industry leaders warn about the dangers of government price setting bill
By Brian Newell | July 29, 2022
During a widely attended media briefing, physicians, biopharmaceutical leaders, and a brave cancer survivor, all expressed their strong opposition to the extreme drug pricing bill Congress is...
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In comments to federal agency, PhRMA warns of the growing influence of middlemen over patient access and out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines
By Brian Newell | May 31, 2022
In comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), PhRMA urged the agency to examine how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) leverage their extraordinary power to maximize profits, often in...
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Report finds PBMs are increasingly restricting patient access to medicines
By Brian Newell | May 25, 2022
More than 1,150 medicines were excluded from at least one of the three largest PBMs’ standard commercial formularies in 2022, according to a new report from Xcenda. The report is further evidence of...
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If drug prices are growing below the rate of inflation, why are patients still feeling the sting at the pharmacy?
By Brian Newell | March 8, 2022
Concerns about inflation continue to be top of mind for many Americans, as prices for basic services and necessities climb at a rapid pace. But there is one bright spot in this otherwise bleak...
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CBO reaffirms our innovation ecosystem leads to improved lives, long-term savings
By Brian Newell | January 21, 2022
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released a new report looking at trends in spending, prices and use of prescription drugs. While some politicians are trying to use the report to...
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