Drugs & Pharmacies

Emily Savage and Michael Daher, who manage Myrtle Drugs in Myrtle Creek, told the House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee during an online hearing on Jan. 24, 2023, that pharmacy benefit managers' business practices are destabilizing independent pharmacies. | SCREENGRABS VIA OLIS.OREGONLEGISLATURE.GOV/THE LUND REPORT

Drug supply companies squeezing pharmacies out of existence, Oregon lawmakers warn Premium

Seven bills, featuring bipartisan support, aim to clamp down on pharmacy benefit managers.

Jan 26, 2023

An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

Oregon health insurers, state officials fret as premium subsidies face cuts in Washington, D.C.

Republicans’ push in Washington, D.C. to cut health coverage subsidies would drive up the average marketplace premium in Oregon by about 70%; and additional hikes in Oregon could make it far worse

Apr 22
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State Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, during a Senate Health Care Committee hearing. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon won’t set price caps on prescription drugs — for now

Citing a desire for consensus and to see how things go elsewhere, State Sen. Deb Patterson has dropped plans this session to follow the lead of some other states and authorize caps on excessive pharmaceutical prices charged to insurers and government payers

Mar 27
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A mix of colorful pills spread out on a counter.

FREESTOCKS/UNSPLASH

As pharmacies keep closing, Oregon lawmakers will try again to change how they’re paid

Bill seeks stronger curbs on the pharmaceutical benefit companies accused of strong-arm business practices

Jan 9
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A view of the Oregon State Capitol in November 2024. | JAKE THOMAS/THE LUND REPORT

Oregon lawmakers outline plans, priorities for health care in session

The upcoming five-month session could lead to significant progress, according to a legislative panel

Jan 7
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Portland, Oregon. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Shortages of funds but not of issues marked Oregon health care in 2024

With health care undergoing rapid transformation, officials and lawmakers have struggled to keep up as ripple effects hit patients, providers and members of the public

Dec 31, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Rulings in Oregon, Washington may kill national Kroger-Albertsons deal

A proposed mega-merger that critics said would hurt pharmacy access may die after a federal judge in Portland and a state judge in Washington ruled against it

Dec 10, 2024
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DR. BRIAN DRUKER/OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Q&A: Star researcher Brian Druker says OHSU has lost its way

Dr. Druker, who pioneered the development of the life-saving leukemia drug Gleevec, says he's concerned that rapid growth and financial pressures have sapped Oregon Health & Science University's ability to pioneer cutting-edge, life-saving therapies.

Dec 3, 2024

Oregon Health & Science University | MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/OHSU

OHSU launches gene-editing trial to address heart problem

Ken Hawkins, 77, may have received an experimental drug on Oct. 31, or a placebo. Either way, he's the first Oregon participant in a first-ever trial of a gene-editing infusion added to the bloodstream to stop the worsening of a potentially fatal heart condition.

Nov 21, 2024
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SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregonians brace for health care changes as second Trump term nears

Oregon’s protections for gender-affirming care, abortion and access for people who are noncitizens could face tests under a president-elect who gave mixed signals on the campaign trail

Nov 7, 2024
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