AMP is WAC (and other thoughts)
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ABOUT AMP is WAC
Average Manufacturer Price (AMP) is not equal to Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), but it is close. And since the whole world of health policy and reimbursement is a bit WAC-y, that’s what we’re calling this update/blog part of the site. All of the opinions and thoughts presented here are our own and not the views of clients or affiliates.
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Affordable Care Act, Alzheimer’s, Biosimilars, Caught my eye, Drug shortages, FDA, Medicaid, Medicare Part D, UncategorizedAMP is WAC — 11/14/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 11/14/25How is it mid-November? I think of all of the things that need to get done by the end of the year and then try and pull out the productivity schemes (5 choices, pomodoro, eat the frog, etc.) I’ve learned over the years. The problem is that none of these create more time, just make…
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340B, Caught my eye, CMMI, Drug Prices, Medicaid, Medicare Negotiation, Medicare Part D, Obesity, Pharmacy Benefit ManagersAMP is WAC — 11/7/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 11/7/25This week is such a kick in the pants with it getting dark so early. I’ve become like a cat chasing the daylight from room to room, ending my day on a swivel club chair that catches the very last rays of the setting sun. Have laptop, will travel. Shoe Drop. Late yesterday afternoon, the…
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Biosimilars, Caught my eye, Generics, Health Equity, ICER, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Obesity, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, State-based Reform, Utilization Management, ValueAMP is WAC — 10/31/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 10/31/25You won’t be surprised when I tell you that my favorite Halloween costume was when I wore a pair of scrubs with vinyl records attached (Spin Doctor). Yep. Right up there with Freudian slips. This year I will stick to my usual costume: the nice lady who hands out full-size bars to 200+ neighborhood kids.…
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340B, Affordable Care Act, Caught my eye, Employers, Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Negotiation, Medicare Part D, ValueAMP is WAC — 10/24/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 10/24/25This week, I felt like my brain experienced a “low memory” error. My capacity was maxed out trying to tackle a Python coding challenge—a task that exists in an entirely different universe than my usual work. It was a blend of excitement and absurdity. But being outside one’s comfort zone actually feels pretty relevant to…
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CMMI, Drug Prices, Drug shortages, Generics, Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Negotiation, Medicare Part D, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, State-based Reform, Supply ChainAMP is WAC — 10/17/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 10/17/25Caught my Eye Cool Idea, But. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts announced a new pilot prioritization program for the review of Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) to support generic manufacturing in the U.S. I mean it sounds good, except… there are three criteria for applicants: Only 9% of API manufacturers are in the…
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340B, Caught my eye, DTC, Medicaid, Medicare Negotiation, Medicare Part D, Reference Pricing, State-based ReformAMP is WAC — 10/10/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 10/10/25Going crazy? Or is it just a party of one? This past month as been brutal. My house has been a parade of plumbers and HVAC and electricians. Plus, visits to orthopedists and veterinarians and car mechanics. If the universe is trying to say something, all I’m hearing is that I’m scoring a ton of…
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AMP is WAC — 10/03/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 10/03/25Round ’em up. The Presidential priorities that have everything and nothing to do with each other. This week has been a healthcare whirlwind. Here’s what I think you need to know * Most favored nation policy is still kicking around and the company announcements are interesting, but I want to poke around under the hood…
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340B, Caught my eye, Drug shortages, Inflation Reduction Act, Medicaid, Medicare Negotiation, Medicare Part D, Orphan DrugsAMP is WAC — 9/26/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 9/26/25Feeling Owl Right? No? As I look at my calendar, I’m feeling a little antsy about the week ahead. Everything is positive, even great, but it feels like a gauntlet. The other significant factor is the upcoming September 29th Most Favored Nation (MFN) deadline. This date marks 60 days since the seventeen letters went out…
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Affordable Care Act, Caught my eye, Employers, Healthcare Costs, Medicaid, Medicare Part D, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Reference Pricing, State-based Reform, Utilization ManagementAMP is WAC — 9/19/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 9/19/25Work travel is usually a nice change of pace. And then I found myself on a Wednesday afternoon on the NJ Turnpike in torrential rain with other cars facing the wrong direction. Super fun! Two good things – 1) the pharma team I gave the talk to was awesome and 2) made it home safe…
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340B, Affordable Care Act, Caught my eye, CMMI, Drug Prices, DTC, Employers, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Reference Pricing, Supply Chain, Utilization ManagementAMP is WAC — 9/12/25
Read more: AMP is WAC — 9/12/25On one hand, a busy week in the world of health policy. The quicksand of news in 2025 is real so I do my best to sidestep some news (MAHA report) to dive into the things that I think are important for my clients – including expected premium spikes, 340B rebate backlash and Medicare changes.…
Latest news
- AMP is WAC — 04/24/26
- AMP is WAC — 04/10/26
- AMP is WAC — 03/27/26
- AMP is WAC — 03/20/26
- AMP is WAC — 03/13/26
Categories
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- Alzheimer's (11)
- Biosimilars (33)
- Caught my eye (102)
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