On this episode of the podcast, Terry and Bob discuss how the country can better prepare for the next pandemic. Better preparation is especially necessary for those with rare and chronic diseases who are most vulnerable. They discuss pending legislation to make prior authorization easy and seamless, allowing patients to access their medications faster. And they highlight a new game-changing malaria vaccine that can eliminate the most deadly form of the disease, helping vulnerable populations hardest hit.
Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb shares where the government response to Covid-19 failed, how to address pandemic preparedness through a national security lens, and ways to bolster the research and development of therapeutics. He explains how the CDC wasn’t up to the task of protecting the nation from a pandemic, pointing to the testing debacle that put the country on its back foot from the start. This unpreparedness delayed the creation of needed antiviral therapies and vaccines.
Dr. Gottlieb highlights regulatory reforms and infrastructure investments that are needed to better prepare for the next pandemic. He calls for increased investment in respiratory viral pathogens and deeper thinking about how to prevent another pandemic. He discusses America’s exceptional life sciences industry and how proposed legislation to allow the government to set drug prices would reduce venture capital investment, disproportionately hurting small, innovative drug companies.
Kate Pecora brings us Part Two of her conversation with Dorothea Lantz on her son’s diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome and the impact of growth hormones on his life. She discusses her son’s symptoms and one special doctor who completely changed her outlook. On last week’s episode, Dorothea highlighted how the proposed elimination of the orphan drug tax credit threatens cures on which the rare and chronic disease community depends. Patient correspondent Maggie Senese explains why legislation like the Benefits Act needs to pass so that patients’ voices can be heard and patient data can be incorporated in decision frameworks.
Listen HERE.
