New Medicare Payment Policy on Drug Shortages

Key Points

• The viewpoint discusses Medicare's new payment policy regarding drug shortages and essential medicines.
• Describes the new payment policy by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
• Analyzes the impact of maintaining buffer supplies of essential medicines.
• Proposes additional reforms to enhance the existing policy.
• Identifies the need for buffer supplies of essential medicines to mitigate shortages.
• Suggests implementation strategies and reforms to improve the policy's effectiveness.