Prime Removes Two Drugs from Medicare Formularies

Prime Therapeutics has removed two therapies from its Medicare formularies because generics are now available. Both changes impact Prime’s Ideal, Value, Value Plus & Essential Formularies Center of Excellence Formularies, as well as client specific formularies.

Vimpat (lacosamide), which is marketed by UCB, is used to treat epilepsy. Generics became available in March 2022 and are being manufactured by Camber Pharmaceuticals, Glenmark Pharma and Vista Pharm. The generic is available as 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg tablets and 10 mg/ml oral solution. This formulary change was effective April 26, 2022.

Combigan (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is approved for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. It was developed by Allergan, which is now a part of AbbVie. A generic from Apotex was launched February 2022. It is available in 5 ml, 10 ml and 15 ml bottles. This formulary change was effective April 28, 2022.