Watch the Pacific Research Institute webinar and discussion showing how rebate walls don’t benefit patients, and exploring reforms to expand patient access to cheaper alternatives and lower out-of-pocket costs

Dr. Wayne Winegarden, director of the Center for Medical Economics and Innovation at the Pacific Research Institute – a California-based, nonpartisan, free-market think tank – leads a discussion on how the current drug rebate system fails patients by increasing their out-of-pocket medical costs.
 
Dr. Winegarden discusses the findings of his new brief, “Tear Down These Walls,” which documents how “rebate walls” effectively block patient access to competitive, lower-priced medicines in favor of medications offering the largest rebates.   He shows that this lack of competition between drugs causes prices to remain high and imposes excessive costs on patients who require expensive medications.
 
He also outlines free-market policy reforms to expand competition, increase patient access to more affordable alternative medications, and lower patient out-of-pocket costs. 

Dr. Madelaine Feldman, Chair of the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines and President of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, offers her perspective from the point of view of doctors and patients, sharing real-life stories of the impact of rebate walls on patients and patient health outcomes.

About Dr. Wayne Winegarden

Wayne Winegarden, Ph.D., is a Sr. Fellow in Business & Economics, Pacific Research Institute, as well as the Director of PRI’s Center for Medical Economics and Innovation.

Dr. Winegarden’s policy research explores the connection between macroeconomic policies and economic outcomes, with a focus on fiscal policy, the health care industry, and the energy sector. As Director of the Center for Medical Economics and Innovation, Dr. Winegarden spearheads research and advances policies that support the continued viability and vitality of the U.S. biomedical and pharmaceutical industries to the benefit of patients and overall economic growth.

Dr. Winegarden’s columns have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Investor’s Business Daily, Forbes.com, and USA Today. He was previously economics faculty at Marymount University, has testified before the U.S. Congress, has been interviewed and quoted in such media as CNN and Bloomberg Radio, and is asked to present his research findings at policy conferences and meetings.

Dr. Winegarden is also the Principal of an economic advisory firm that advises clients on the economic, business, and investment implications from changes in broader macroeconomic trends and government policies. Clients have included Fortune 500 companies, financial organizations, small businesses, and trade associations. Previously, Dr. Winegarden worked as a business economist in Hong Kong and New York City; and a policy economist for policy and trade associations in Washington D.C. Dr. Winegarden received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University.
 

About Dr. Madelaine Feldman

Dr. Madelaine Feldman is a rheumatologist in private practice with The Rheumatology Group in New Orleans, LA. She is President of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations. She is also Chair of the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines and past member of the American College of Rheumatology insurance subcommittee.
  
A Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Feldman is passionate about advocacy and lectures extensively to patients, physicians, regulators, and legislators on a local and national level regarding  the drug supply channel, access to care for  patients, and the importance of maintaining the doctor-patient relationship.
 
She has testified before Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health regarding transparency in drug pricing and the drug supply chain (specifically PBMs), and several state legislative committees on PBMs and transparency. 
 
Dr. Feldman received the Distinguished Service Award for Tulane Medical School and was named one of the Top Women in New Orleans by City Business in 2017. She is a former radio talk show host and has been on the Top Doctors list in New Orleans for over 15 years.