US Pharma support for Affordable Care Act will total around $90 billion through 2020

The annual fees related to the US Affordable Care Act which will be levied on drug manufacturers will cost the pharmaceutical industry around $30.8 billion from 2011 through 2020, according to a new study from health care advisory firm Decision Resources.

Moreover, it says, measures to close the Medicare Part D coverage gap will add an additional $30 billion to the industry’s expenses and Medicaid rebate increases are projected to cost the industry $20 billion over the next ten years. In total, the pharmaceutical industry's support for this healthcare reform will add up to about $90 billion through 2020.

The United States: Market Access Tracker service finds that, in return for its support of the Affordable Care Act, the pharmaceutical industry stands to gain some significant benefits that include: