CMS to Host Town Halls on Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program

The CMS has announced a series of public engagement events to be held this spring as part of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. These events will provide a critical opportunity for patients, caregivers, patient organizations, clinicians and researchers to offer input on the drugs selected for the second cycle of negotiations.

The CMS is seeking insights into:

• The clinical benefits of selected drugs compared to therapeutic alternatives;
• How the drugs address unmet patient needs;
• The impact of these drugs on specific populations; and
• Prescribing experiences and clinical considerations for treatment.

Public Engagement Events

• Livestreamed town hall: A public town hall focused on the clinical considerations related to the selected drugs will be held on April 30. It will be open to all as listeners, with opportunities for clinicians and researchers to speak. Registration for the opportunity to speak is open until March 12. Selected participants will receive a confirmation email the week of March 24 and will have four days after receipt of the email to confirm availability and any needed language interpretation services.
• Patient-focused roundtable events: The CMS will host private discussions (not livestreamed) for patients, caregivers and patient organizations to share lived experiences with selected drugs. Fifteen events—one for each selected drug—will be held April 16–29. Register for one of the roundtable events by March 12.