Medicare Prescription Drug Act Audioconference

Arnold & Porter will be sponsoring a free audioconference briefing on the new Medicare drug bill Friday, December 12, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm Eastern. The audioconference will address the key provisions of the new legislation, with a focus on issues of interest to pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers. Topics will include:

• The structure of the new voluntary prescription drug benefit, including:

• Basic Coverage and Eligibility

  Role of Private Health Plans

  Formularies

• Drug Discount Card
• Changes in Payment for Part B Drugs
• Hospital Outpatient Payment Reform
• Functional Equivalence Standard
• Demonstration Project for Coverage of Certain Drugs
• Hatch-Waxman Reform
• Importation Provisions
• Compliance Implications

Speakers for the audioconference will included Dr. Grant Bagley, Rosemary Maxwell, John Bentivoglio, and Don Beers. The presentations will be followed by approximately 20 minutes of questions from the audience.