STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about cheap telehealth visits, pharma withholding meds in Europe, and more

Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. Already, the Pharmalot campus has been bustling as the official mascots have been busy chasing assorted creatures in search of their breakfast.

As for us, yes, we are firing up the trusty kettle once again and brewing another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is Earl Gray.

Now, though, the time has come to get still busier. On that note, here are some tidbits.

Have a lovely day and do keep in touch. … As links between pharmaceutical companies and telehealth providers grow, health policy experts and legislators are raising concerns over the large fees that telehealth companies can receive from drugmakers each year , STAT explains.

Critics have questioned whether those partnerships break federal laws prohibiting financial kickbacks to induce prescribing, highlighting their potential to promote uncoordinated care and overprescriping of unnecessary, and often expensive, branded medications. The same questions apply to coupons extended for a drug-specific telehealth visit. Drugmakers have long used discount coupons to encourage patients to use their high-cost medications.