Innovation vs. Access? The Legal, Ethical, and Economic Dimensions of U.S. Drug Pricing

Join us at Davis Graham in Denver for a CLE and networking event.

The high cost of prescription drugs in the United States, especially in comparison to other high-income countries, is an enduring concern for the US public and the subject of ongoing political debate. Through a combination of brief topic primers and a moderated panel discussion including experts representing the pharmaceutical industry, patent law, and academia, this event will describe how US prescription drug revenues relate to biomedical innovation and discuss the role of patents and other market exclusivities in shaping drug prices and the incentives to develop new therapies. Additionally, this event will examine recent efforts to reduce drug spending in the US, such as the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and state prescription drug affordability boards, and how these initiatives may impact drug affordability, access, and the innovation ecosystem. Throughout the session, the panelists will present and grapple with the ethical considerations that cut across each of these topics: How ought we define and measure biomedical innovation? How should we balance promoting innovation and patient access to affordable drugs? What constitutes a “fair” price for prescription medicines? And what are the best ethical practices for lawyers who advise drug manufacturers? This session should appeal to legal and medical practitioners of all experience levels.


Presented by Davis Graham, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at Colorado Law, and Silicon Flatirons.


Sessions

01/15/26 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Program

Melanie Kay
(Moderator)
Director, Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program and Associate Teaching Professor, University of Colorado Law School
Dorothy Auth
Partner, Davis Graham
Michael DiStefano
Assistant Professor, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences & Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Lisa Jakob
Executive Director, Intellectual Property, Merck
Govind Persad
Associate Professor, University of Colorado Law School

01/15/26 6:00pm
Networking Reception

Appetizers and refreshments provided for in-person attendees.

Know What’s Next