Denise Myshko

CMS said it will cover monoclonal antibodies to treat Alzheimer’s disease if they are approved through the standard review process and not through an accelerated approval.

Disparities in access to pediatric eye care have increased over the past 15 years and are associated with lower socioeconomic status.

Patients who have had liver problems in the past may be at risk of liver damage from Sprycel, which is used to treat patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Starting with Avastin to treat patients with diabetic macular edema — and switching to Eylea if patients don’t have a response — could result in savings of more than $125 million.

Apellis’ Syfovre will have a list price of $2,190 per vial, and Medicare is expected to be the dominant payer.

Sedentary behavior has been linked with low-grade systemic inflammation, which could disrupt the ocular surface.

Navitus will be accessing the Humira biosimilar Amjevita through the lower wholesale acquisition cost option.

Senators want more insight into PBM practices and the role they play in the healthcare ecosystem.

Abarca's Nicole (Gupta) Bulochnik, Pharm.D., talks about how personalized medicine could be integrated into value-based care to accelerate uptake.

Javier Gonzalez, Pharm.D., at Abarca Health, talks about how value-based pricing arrangements can align incentives among stakeholders for specialty disease management.

The branded therapies were removed in favor of generics effective April 2023. CVS Caremark also added 13 generics to its Performance Drug List.

The hearing will discuss the role of PBMs in healthcare and the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act, legislation that has been submitted by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Chuck Grassley.

The FDA has approved two pediatric indications this week: Takhyzro for hereditary angioedema and Eylea for retinopathy of prematurity. The agency expanded the label of Cibinqo for atopic dermatitis in adolescents, and granted full approval to Jemperli for endometrial cancer. Additionally, the agency has set PDUFA dates for two drugs: reproxalap for dry eye and zuranolone for depression.

High-priced gene therapies challenge payers to provide access. They are watching the products to be approved the first half of this year.

In a real-world example, investigators found that lowered pricing of prescription drugs results in lower patient out-of-pocket costs, particularly for those patients with coinsurance.

In 2023, CVS executives expect revenue in pharmacy services to grow by 1% to 2% driven by generic and biosimilar launches.

In 2022, 12 states have enacted 19 pieces of legislation that offer a variety of restrictions and requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

In 2022, 12 states have enacted 19 pieces of legislation that put a variety of restrictions and requirements on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

The FDA has approved two breast cancer therapies this week: Trodelvy to treat patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer and Orserdu to treat patients with ER+, HER2-, ESR1-mutated disease. The agency also approved a novel therapy for CKD-related anemia and Tezspire in pre-filled pen.

Evernorth, Cigna’s pharmacy and benefits solutions division, contributed more than 75% of the company’s revenue last year.

The real impact may not likely be seen until after July when additional biosimilars referencing Humira are launched.

Daprodustat, now with the brand name of Jesduvroq, is a new oral therapy but it carries a boxed warning about the risk of cardiovascular events.

Some PBMs will offer Amgen’s Amjevita biosimilar as a preferred product alongside Humira, but CVS Caremark said Humira will remain preferred and Amjevita will be placed on a non-preferred brand tier.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Maria Cantwell, aims to increase transparency of PBM business practices.

The FDA approved a new drug for type 2 diabetes and a new BTK inhibitor for rare blood cancer while Keytruda got another indication in lung cancer. But Evusheld lost its EUA for COVID-19. The agency accepted an sNDA for Jardiance for CKD and officials said they plan to hold advisory committee meeting for Biogen’s ALS drug.

Programs that do not count pharmaceutical company coupons and copay assistance toward deductibles have grown over the last five years, but states are stepping in to limit these programs.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s cap on annual out-of-pocket spending and changes to coverage gaps could save Medicare patients more than $1,000 on heart failure medications.

Scientists have created a lipid nanoparticle that was able to deliver mRNA to the retina, providing an opportunity for the development of additional gene therapies for the eye.

Amazon Prime members can access generic medications from an eligible list with free delivery for an additional $5 a month.

Price Edge compares direct-to-consumer pricing with insurance pricing for generic drugs. It is an optional product being offered to plans.