Our New Capsule System Tackles Biopharma ESG Risk Tied to U.S. Drug Pricing and Cost-Effectiveness

Morningstar now directly incorporates cost-effectiveness analysis into our biopharmaceutical ratings through what we're calling our capsule system. Given the lack of regulatory oversight on whether U.S. drug launch prices or price increases are justified, an independent, private organization—the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, or ICER—has gained prominence and authority assessing cost-effectiveness. Drugs that are priced above ICER's cost-effectiveness thresholds or that record high unsupported price increases contribute to Morningstar's ESG Risk Rating Assessment and equity research methodology for incorporating environmental, social, and governance risk into our fair value estimates and moat and uncertainty ratings.