Oct 9 (Reuters) - HHS:
* BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION TAKES NEXT STEP ON PROPOSED MODEL TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE
* HHS: CMS SEEKS FEEDBACK ON MEDICARE $2 DRUG LIST MODEL, SAMPLE $2 DRUG LIST, AND OUTREACH
* HHS: PARTICIPATION IN MODEL WOULD BE VOLUNTARY FOR PART D SPONSORS & COULD START AS EARLY AS JAN 2027
* HHS: CMS INTENDS TO INCLUDE MANY DRUGS USED TO TREAT COMMON CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE, WITH PERIODIC UPDATES TO DRUG LIST ONCE FINALIZED
* HHS: NEW GENERIC DRUG LAUNCHES, CHANGING CLINICAL INDICATIONS, TRENDS IN PRICING TO NECESSITATE UPDATES TO $2 DRUG LIST, PRIOR TO LAUNCH OF MODEL
* HHS: NEW GENERIC DRUG LAUNCHES, CHANGING CLINICAL INDICATIONS, TRENDS IN PRICING TO NECESSITATE UPDATES TO $2 DRUG LIST AT INTERVALS IN MODEL LIFESPAN
((Reuters.Briefs@thomsonreuters.com;))