Replies to post #94672 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Perhaps [Big Pharma] are looking for an excuse for earnings shortcomings.

The mandatory Medicaid price cuts that were retroactive to 1-Jan-2010 were the primary cause of Big Pharma’s earnings shortfalls in 1Q10 relative to prior guidance. These are quantifiable hard numbers, not spin.

[AlpineBV_Miller]

I expect we'll hear more about the blame than the benefits as the quarters roll by. Most pharmas have patent expirations and other headwinds and HCR makes a convenient scapegoat.

At some point - probably not this decade and maybe not next - HCR will encompass financial review and some sort of large group negotiations on price. Then they'll have something to bitch about until they start making other countries pay their fair share so US consumers (and a couple of others) don't have to bear the majority of drug development costs.