The Inflation Reduction Act: How Will Medicare Negotiating Drug Prices Impact Patients with Heart Disease?

Abstract

Purpose of review: Cardiovascular medications improve health and prevent early death. However, high drug prices reduce the use of these medications and strain the health system. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers and reduces out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. This article explores the potential impact that the IRA will have on the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Recent findings: Cardiovascular disease medications are likely to be selected for price negotiations under the IRA, leading to savings for patients and for Medicare. Recent work suggests that the IRA's reforms to the Medicare Part D drug benefit will meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket costs for important cardiovascular medications. The IRA is expected to impact cardiovascular disease treatments via price negotiations and through the broader access to medications afforded by improvements to Part D coverage design.

Keywords: Cardiovascular drugs; Drug price negotiation; Drug pricing; Inflation Reduction Act; Medicare Part D; Out-of-pocket costs.