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In November, Amazon announced their launch of a new service: Amazon Pharmacy, where patients can have prescriptions fulfilled online. As Americans have grown accustomed to the convenience and transparency in pricing of Amazon's offerings, this could be another welcomed offering and might have some implications on medication pricing over time.

In November, Amazon announced their launch of a new service: Amazon Pharmacy, where patients can have prescriptions fulfilled online. As Americans have grown accustomed to the convenience and transparency in pricing of Amazon's offerings, this could be another welcomed offering and might have some implications on medication pricing over time.

The impact of this announcement feels reminiscent of when Target announced $4 generic prescription medicine: a consumer-friendly move by an industry giant. As others followed Target's pricing strategy, perhaps we will see other major retailers follow suit.

It's been a difficult year for many, but we are still thankful for much. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a difficult year for many, but we are still thankful for much. Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

May this holiday season bring much needed cheer.

The Wall Street Journal reported on two new policies expected to be adopted by the current administration with the aim of lowering drug prices: limiting rebates that are paid to pharmacy benefit managers and indexing the price of some drugs in the US according to prices in other countries. Both of these policies appear to have some winners (payers such as Medicare, possibly also patients) and some losers (pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers). Backlash against rising drug prices in the current political and economic climate might give the administration enough cover that the losers will not have enough clout to stop these policies.

The Wall Street Journal reported on two new policies expected to be adopted by the current administration with the aim of lowering drug prices: limiting rebates that are paid to pharmacy benefit managers and indexing the price of some drugs in the US according to prices in other countries. Both of these policies appear to have some winners (payers such as Medicare, possibly also patients) and some losers (pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers). Backlash against rising drug prices in the current political and economic climate might give the administration enough cover that the losers will not have enough clout to stop these policies.

It is unclear whether the upcoming administration will uphold these policies, or perhaps enact more sweeping reforms. It is also unclear whether the stakeholders in these industries will find new ways of maintaining their profits.

NPR published a piece about a recent study that estimated the number of Americans that experienced "catastrophic medical expenses" (defined as spending more than 40% of income after food and housing costs). While we hear about people facing expensive medical bills, there is some expectation that those with health insurance should be shield from devastating financial effects from healthcare expenditures. The study referenced in the article found that about 6 million Americans (ages between 20 and 64) with private health insurance suffered "catastrophic medical expenses" in 2017. That translates to about 3.5% of the US population in that age range experiencing expensive medical bills despite having private insurance.

NPR published a piece about a recent study that estimated the number of Americans that experienced "catastrophic medical expenses" (defined as spending more than 40% of income after food and housing costs). While we hear about people facing expensive medical bills, there is some expectation that those with health insurance should be shield from devastating financial effects from healthcare expenditures. The study referenced in the article found that about 6 million Americans (ages between 20 and 64) with private health insurance suffered "catastrophic medical expenses" in 2017. That translates to about 3.5% of the US population in that age range experiencing expensive medical bills despite having private insurance.

One of the study's authors cited high-deductible plans and out-of-network medical bills as being two reasons that insurance might not have offered adequate financial protection. Despite the push for more Americans to get insurance coverage, little progress has been achieved by way of managing the underlying costs.

The past couple of weeks have been very busy for us, as we have worked on some major behind-the-scenes changes. The first major change was with our colocation provider, where we run our servers. Coupled with short notice, we also fit in a different configuration for our servers. Preceding the change in colocation providers, we have also been working on replacing the underlying database. Both changes are done now.

The past couple of weeks have been very busy for us, as we have worked on some major behind-the-scenes changes. The first major change was with our colocation provider, where we run our servers. Coupled with short notice, we also fit in a different configuration for our servers. Preceding the change in colocation providers, we have also been working on replacing the underlying database. Both changes are done now.

There were a few rough edges with the transitions. Ironically, the more successful we were with these changes, the less that people would notice. In the long-term, we hope that both changes will benefit our service. We're particularly hopeful that the database change will help streamline future development.