Formulary Watch |

Developing novel drugs to treat cancer remains a strong focus for drug developers. Several first-in-class therapies have become available over the last few months.

Non-White patients who used copay cards were significantly more likely to encounter copay adjustment programs, such copay accumulators and maximizers, compared with their White counterparts.

An analysis from 3 Axis has found that PBMs control how much pharmacies are reimbursed. This can vary significantly depending on the PBM contracts with insurers, creating a system with large inconsistencies in the prices that consumers pay for both generics and branded products.

The FDA has requested an additional study. ARS Pharmaceuticals plans to appeal the decision.

Even though committee members voted in support of Onpattro for patients with cardiomyopathy related to transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, there were questions about whether it provided a clinically meaningful benefit. The FDA set an action date of Oct. 8, 2023.

CMS has included an additional 34 drugs on the list on products subject to rebates if their price increases are higher than inflation.

This simulation study also showed that semaglutide was the most effective for weight loss, and researchers said, long-term, savings associated with potential lifelong health improvements may shift the balance of cost-effectiveness.

Cell and gene therapies can be used for patients with cancer and serious diseases who have limited or no treatment options — but at a cost.

Addressing drug affordability and accessibility will involve tackling the interrelated problems of high prices and problematic pharmacy benefit manager practices, says Benjamin N. Rome, M.D., with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

In total, Medicare beneficiaries paid $21 billion for 100 drugs that receive the most rebates, while health plans paid $5.3 billion after rebates.

This House bill combines aspects of previously submitted bills — specifically on transparency related to prices on hospital services, laboratory tests, healthcare coverage and PBMs — into one package.

The decision by Scripius (previously Select Health Prescriptions) was made based on the cost of Dupixent, as well as because of an increased demand to use Dupixent for mild atopic dermatitis when the primary patient population is those with moderate to severe disease.

In a 10-year, follow-up study in patients vaccinated with Gardasil 9, no cases of HPV-related cancers or genital warts were seen.

Magellan Rx Management has begun providing a multi-state solution in which they negotiate with drug manufacturers for value-based contracts for high-cost gene and cell therapies.

For most drugs, the statutory minimum discounts under the Inflation Reduction Act will not be enough to achieve the savings projected by the Congressional Budget Office.