focus -WSS

focus

author：knowledge 2025-09-07 06:46:37 - browse：37639

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders sets his hands on two chairs as two people set up a board displaying a "price of drugs" chart behind him — politics coverage from STAT — Sen. Bernie Sanders has used his leadership of a Senate committee to pressure drugmakers to lower their prices. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

WASHINGTON — Bernie Sanders is figuring out just how far bullying drugmakers can take him.

For more than a year, Sanders has used his perch atop the Senate health committee to haul the CEOs of pharmaceutical companies that make insulin, vaccines, and more before the panel with progressively more ambitious demands related to their pricing. After a few victories he’s claimed — experts say some credit is deserved, but the full story is a bit more complicated — he’s now progressed to demanding that Novo Nordisk cut its price for its novel, wildly popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs.

Sanders (I-Vt.) is testing the limits of the powers of a Senate chairman with little hope of advancing his policy agenda legislatively. He’s threatened subpoenas, held a prominent nominee hostage, and initiated investigations to get his way. It’s a sharp departure from the modest, bipartisan ambitions that more disciplined, discreet leaders of the committee have taken in years past, and sets the bar for how much can be accomplished using the full extent of the bully pulpit.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe Log In

Previous article： Tori Bowie and the unacceptable rates of Black maternal death
Next article： Will an HIV vaccine ever be a reality?

WSS

2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to Karikó and Weissman

Rise in cancer among younger people worries and puzzles doctors

Search called off for baby washed away in Pennsylvania flash flood

RSV injection headlines need to be accurate for good uptake

RSV injection headlines need to be accurate for good uptake

CDC picks Alphabet's Verily for wasterwater surveillance contract

focus

focus

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+.

entertainment

Cancer drug shortages should be causing more outrage

Experts study whether long Covid risk adds up with each reinfection

Virginia high school admissions case could be legal follow

Rise in cancer among younger people worries and puzzles doctors

Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action

Truvian presents data for its desktop blood

Heart attack and stroke risk calculators need revising

RSV injection headlines need to be accurate for good uptake

Moonlake's readout produced a cash windfall. Risks remain

UHS says company favors patients whose insurance pays more

leisure time

What will Novo Nordisk's VC do with its influx of cash?

Stop Congress from blocking public access to science

Dems pitch expanding Medicare power to negotiate drug prices

What to watch for from Zogenix and Amicus clinical trials

Bronny James, LeBron's son, suffers cardiac arrest during basketball practice at USC

WHO recommends second malaria vaccine

hotspot

entertainment

leisure time

focus