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Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Berwyn Group Appoints Adam Wilson as General Manager of Healthcare
Veteran Leader Brings Deep Industry Expertise to Advance Berwyn's Healthcare Strategy INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Berwyn Group (Berwyn), the leader in death audit, locate services and population management, is pleased to announce the hiring of Adam Wilson as General Manager of Healthcare. Wilson brings extensive healthcare industry experience that will further strengthen Berwyn's commitment to excellence and growth. Berwyn offers an end-to-end suite of industry-leading death audit and locate solutions that enable pension and health plan administrators to eliminate costly overpayments, maximize efficiency, meet regulatory requirements, and connect policyholders, participants and beneficiaries to the funds they deserve. More than 2,000 corporate, union and government clients use Berwyn's flagship services, CertiDeath® and CertiCensus®. Wilson joins Berwyn with a distinguished career that spans almost 17 years at UnitedHealthcare, where he held several leadership roles including Vice President of Workforce Planning, Chief of Staff to the COO, and Vice President of Medicare Part D products. "We are thrilled to welcome Adam to the team," said John Bikus, President of Berwyn. "His strategy, proven leadership, and deep industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to grow in the healthcare industry." In his new role, Wilson will be responsible for leading Berwyn's strategic expansion into the healthcare market. He will be focusing on aligning Berwyn's solutions to the healthcare payer and provider business cycle needs while also extending the Berwyn reach to healthcare-related supporting partners, vendors, and industry trade groups. "I'm eager to join an organization positioned for rapid growth through industry-leading capabilities," said Wilson. "I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Berwyn to deliver quick wins, strategic expansion into healthcare, and contribute to the company's continued success." About The Berwyn Group The Berwyn Group is the leader in population data management, offering the industry's most trusted and effective death audit and locate solutions, with an unmatched dedication to innovation, security, and generating outcomes. Acquired by Longevity Holdings in 2023, The Berwyn Group offers an end-to-end suite of industry-leading solutions including CertiDeath® Paragon™, CertiDeath®, CertiCensus®, CertiSearch® and BeneSearch®. Connecting leading-edge technology and data with best-in-class human ingenuity, Berwyn helps bridge the gap between pensions and their participants, insurance companies and their policyholders, third-party administrators and public entities with Medicaid recipients. For more information, visit Media Contact Karlene Gilmore Director of Marketing kgilmore@ View original content: SOURCE The Berwyn Group, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JNJ vs. MRK: Which Healthcare Titan Offers Better Growth Prospects?
Both Johnson & Johnson JNJ and Merck MRK are leading U.S. healthcare conglomerates — blue-chip pharmaceutical companies with massive R&D budgets and blockbuster drug portfolios. Both companies have a strong presence in oncology, immunology and neuroscience areas. Other than that, J&J also has drugs for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and infectious diseases, along with a strong presence in the medical devices segment. On the other hand, Merck boasts a strong presence in vaccines, virology and hospital acute care. Both firms face looming patent expirations and headwinds from Medicare Part D redesign. But which one is a better investment option today? Let's take a closer look at their fundamentals, growth prospects and challenges to make an informed choice. J&J's biggest strength is its diversified business model, which helps it to withstand economic cycles more effectively. It operates through more than 275 subsidiaries. Its Innovative Medicine unit is showing a growth trend. The segment's sales rose 4.4% in the first quarter of 2025 on an organic basis despite the loss of exclusivity (LOE) for its multi-billion-dollar product, Stelara, and the negative impact of the Part D redesign. In 2025, J&J expects growth in the Innovative Medicine segment in the face of Stelara biosimilar entrants to be driven by its key products such as Darzalex, Tremfya, Spravato and Erleada, as well as new drugs like Carvykti, Tecvayli and Talvey, and new indications for Tremfya and Rybrevant. J&J also has an interesting R&D pipeline that can generate innovative products and further drive its growth. J&J has been on an acquisition spree lately, with the latest acquisition of Intra-Cellular Therapies strengthening its presence in the neurological and psychiatric drug market. Sales in J&J's MedTech business are facing continued headwinds in the Asia Pacific, specifically in China. Sales in China are being hurt by the impact of the volume-based procurement (VBP) program and the anticorruption campaign. J&J does not expect any improvement in its business in the Asia Pacific region, specifically in China, in 2025. Competitive pressure is also hurting sales growth in some MedTech businesses. The company lost U.S. patent exclusivity of its blockbuster drug, Stelara, in 2025. The launch of generics is expected to significantly erode the drug's sales, hurting J&J's sales and profits in 2025. J&J also expects a negative impact of approximately $2 billion in sales due to the Medicare Part D redesign in 2025. The Part D redesign is expected to mainly hurt sales of drugs like Stelara, Tremfya, Erleada and PAH drugs J&J faces more than 62,000 lawsuits for its talc-based products, primarily baby powders. The lawsuits allege that its talc products contain asbestos, which caused many women to develop ovarian cancer. J&J insists that its talc-based products are safe and do not cause cancer. The company permanently discontinued the sales of its talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder. In April, a bankruptcy court in Texas rejected J&J's proposed bankruptcy plan to settle its talc lawsuits after a two-week trial in Houston. J&J will go back to the traditional tort system to fight the lawsuits individually with its bankruptcy strategy to settle the lawsuits failing for the third time. J&J's cash and cash equivalents were $38.8 billion at the end of March 2025 against long-term debt of $38.4 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.33, much lower than the industry's average of 0.42. Merck boasts more than six blockbuster drugs in its portfolio, with Keytruda being the key top-line driver. Keytruda has played an instrumental role in driving Merck's steady revenue growth in the past few years. Keytruda's sales are gaining from rapid uptake across earlier-stage indications, mainly early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Continued strong momentum in metastatic indications is also boosting sales growth. The company expects continued growth from Keytruda, particularly in early lung cancer. Merck is also developing a subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda that can extend its patent life. Merck is working on different strategies to drive Keytruda's long-term growth. Merck has been making meaningful regulatory and pipeline progress across areas like oncology (mainly Keytruda), vaccines and infectious diseases while executing strategic business moves. Merck's phase III pipeline has almost tripled since 2021, supported by in-house pipeline progress as well as the addition of candidates through M&A deals. Merck's new products, Capvaxive and Winrevair, are witnessing strong launches and have the potential to generate significant revenues over the long term. Earlier this week, the FDA approved its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, Enflonsia (clesrovimab). However, sales of Gardasil, which is Merck's second-largest product, are declining due to a weak performance in China, which resulted from sluggish demand trends amid an economic slowdown. Merck is also seeing weakness in the diabetes franchise and the generic erosion of some drugs. Merck is heavily reliant on Keytruda. Though Keytruda may be Merck's biggest strength and a solid reason to own the stock, it can also be argued that the company is excessively dependent on the drug and it should look for ways to diversify its product lineup. There are rising concerns about the firm's ability to grow its non-oncology business ahead of the upcoming loss of exclusivity of Keytruda in 2028. Also, competitive pressure might increase for Keytruda in the near future. Medicare Part D redesign is expected to hurt sales of diabetes drugs, Januvia/Janumet, in 2025. At the end of March 2025, its cash and cash equivalents were $9.2 billion against long-term debt of $33.5 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.41, which is slightly lower than the industry average of 0.42. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for J&J's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year increase of 2.7% and 6.2%, respectively. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has risen from $10.54 per share to $10.60 over the past 60 days, while that for 2026 has declined from $11.02 to $10.98 over the same timeframe. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MRK's 2025 sales and EPS implies a year-over-year increase of 0.9% and 16.6%, respectively. EPS estimates for both 2025 and 2026 have declined over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Year to date, J&J's stock has risen 10% compared with the industry's increase of 0.6%. Merck's stock has declined 17.5%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research MRK looks more attractive than J&J from a valuation standpoint. Going by the price/earnings ratio, J&J's shares currently trade at 14.53 forward earnings, slightly lower than 15.23 for the industry and its 5-year mean of 15.77. Merck's shares currently trade at 8.76 forward earnings, significantly lower than the industry as well as the stock's 5-year mean of 12.88. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research J&J's dividend yield is 3.32%, while Merck's is slightly higher at 3.98%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Both Merck & J&J have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each, which makes choosing one stock a difficult task. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Merck has one of the world's best-selling drugs in its portfolio, generating billions of dollars in revenues. Though Keytruda will lose patent exclusivity in 2028, its sales are expected to remain strong until then. However, the company's problems are too many at present, including persistent challenges for Gardasil in China, potential competition for Keytruda and rising competitive and generic pressure on some drugs. All these factors have raised doubts about Merck's ability to navigate the Keytruda loss of exclusivity period successfully. Consistently declining estimates also reflect analysts' pessimistic outlook for the stock. On the other hand, J&J has shown steady revenue and EPS growth for years. J&J considers 2025 to be a 'catalyst year,' positioning the company for growth in the second half of the decade. J&J expects operational sales growth in both the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments to be higher in the second half of 2025 than in the first. While newly launched products should drive growth in the Innovative Medicines segment in the second half, the MedTech segment may benefit from new products and easier comps. J&J expects growth to accelerate from 2026 onward. Despite headwinds like softness in the MedTech unit, the legal battle surrounding its talc lawsuits, Stelara patent cliff and the potential impact of Part D redesign, J&J seems just one step ahead of Merck due to better prospects for sales and profit growth amid the various challenges. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Medscape
10-06-2025
- Business
- Medscape
Part D Cancer Drug Launch Prices Soar Past Inflation
Launch prices for Medicare Part D anticancer drugs have risen sharply since 2012, with a mean increase of $1694 per year. In 2025, the observed prices were 15%-200% higher than expected if the increases were due to inflation alone, but the gap between observed and inflation-adjusted prices narrowed over the study period. METHODOLOGY: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 introduced price negotiation for Medicare-covered drugs and required manufacturers to pay rebates to Medicare for price increases above inflation. But it did not address the launch prices of new drugs. Anticancer drugs, a protected drug class with mandatory Medicare Part D coverage, may now be especially prone to higher launch prices, in part because the Inflation Reduction Act limits out-of-pocket spending and price increases after market entry. Researchers identified 86 branded, self-administered, molecularly targeted anticancer therapies approved by the FDA between January 2010 and December 2024. Data on drug prices were obtained from the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Formulary and adjusted for inflation. The researchers looked at launch prices by year and compared drug prices in 2025 with those expected if launch prices had increased due to inflation alone since the drug's market entry. TAKEAWAY: The mean monthly launch price increased from $10,954 for drugs first observed in the Medicare formulary in 2012-2014 to $27,891 for drugs first observed in 2023-2025. After adjusting for inflation, the mean launch price increased by $1694 per year ( P < .001). < .001). In 2025, actual drug prices were 14.8%-200.9% higher than expected if they had only kept pace with inflation. Although the gap between observed and inflation-adjusted prices narrowed over time, price increases continued to outpace inflation in 2023 and 2024, despite the Inflation Reduction Act rebate requirement, which will result in rebates to Medicare starting in fall 2025. IN PRACTICE: 'Launch prices for self-administered targeted anticancer therapies have grown precipitously, although no evidence was found of disproportionate increases in recent years. Instead, continued launch price growth for anticancer therapies was observed, consistent with prior research,' the study authors wrote. 'This suggests that companies were already engaging in price maximization for anticancer therapies and continued to do so after the implementation of the [Inflation Reduction Act].' SOURCE: This study, led by Stacie B. Dusetzina, PhD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, was published online in JAMA . LIMITATIONS: This study used example indications to determine monthly doses and pricing. Additionally, variations in available price measures were noted over the study period. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by Arnold Ventures. Several authors reported receiving grants or personal fees and having other ties with various sources.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon adds ‘caregiver' features to pharmacy app
You can find original article here Supermarketnews. Subscribe to our free daily Supermarketnews newsletter. Amazon has added new functions to the Amazon Pharmacy app that better enables caregivers to help manage medications for a loved one. It also gives Medicare Part D recipients access to Amazon Pharmacy's PillPack feature, which provides presorted medication. 'These updates deliver what our customers have been asking for—simpler medication management for themselves and their loved ones,' said John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy. 'Whether you're a caregiver juggling multiple prescriptions for an aging parent, or a customer who could benefit from the convenience of pre-sorted packets delivered reliably each month, we're removing barriers and making pharmacy work better for you.' Amazon said in a press release on Tuesday that AARP reports that one in five adults in the U.S. are caring for an aging family member. The new caregiver feature enables aging patients the option of inviting a trusted individual to help manage their medication through their Amazon Pharmacy portal. 'Amazon Pharmacy's new caregiver feature provides a secure, streamlined way for trusted individuals to help manage prescriptions and place orders 24/7, when and where convenient for them—all through their own Amazon accounts,' said Tess Carey, senior pharmacist at Amazon Pharmacy. 'This ensures medications arrive on time, giving both caregivers and patients greater peace of mind.' The pre-sorted PillPack feature also aims to help caregivers save time by receiving organized pharmaceuticals, making it easier to keep prescription schedules accurate. The health care arm of the online retail giant also touted the expansion of its new same-day prescription delivery service for Prime members in a dozen cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. Amazon announced in October that it plans to launch the same-day delivery service in 20 cities in 2025. That includes Boston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and San Diego. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told shareholders in late May that more changes are coming for the company's pharmacy business. He noted Amazon Pharmacy's One Medical app enables users to access their medical information in one place, meet with medical practitioners, and set up subscriptions for chronic issues. 'We've built programs like RxPass, which, for $5 a month for Prime members, gives our Prime members unlimited access to 60 common medications with very fast delivery and 24/7 pharmacy support,' Jassy said. 'We are changing this customer experience that people have had to endure on the pharmacy side for a really long time. We''re changing it very significantly.' Sign in to access your portfolio
Geek Wire
03-06-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Amazon Pharmacy updates include new caregiver feature and Medicare access for PillPack service
PillPack from Amazon Pharmacy is a service that features pre-sorted and personalized medication packets for customers. (Amazon Photo) Amazon Pharmacy is launching a new caregiver support feature and expanding access to customers on Medicare as part of enhancements to the tech giant's medication supply service, the company announced Tuesday. The caregiver feature allows customers to invite trusted, verified individuals who can manage medications on behalf of loved ones through their own Amazon Pharmacy accounts. To set up the feature, customers can log into their account and send an invitation to their caregiver, who receives a secure link via text message. After confirming a few details like the customer's date of birth, the caregiver can start managing medications through their own Amazon account. The second update now allows customers with Medicare insurance to access PillPack from Amazon Pharmacy. The service is designed to make it easier to manage multiple medications with pre-sorted and personally labeled packets organized by date and time. Amazon said the expansion makes more than 50 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries who manage multiple daily medications eligible for PillPack. To enroll, customers can log into their Amazon Pharmacy account sign up for PillPack, select eligible medications, and review insurance and delivery details. Amazon coordinates refill schedules so multiple medications can all be delivered at the same time each month. There is no additional charge for Amazon Pharmacy customers to use the PillPack service. Amazon launched the Amazon Pharmacy service in November 2020, following its $753 million acquisition of prescription-by-mail company PillPack in 2018. The full-service, online drugstore serves both one-off and ongoing medication needs. Amazon Prime members in a dozen cities, such as Seattle, Los Angeles and New York City, are eligible for free same-day delivery of their medications. Related:
