Highlights
- Rite Aid Corporation files for bankruptcy, Elixir Solutions to be acquired by MedImpact
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) consider reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug
- Federal court judge ruling limits use of copay accumulator programs
- Evernorth publishes 2023 Pharmacy in Focus report
- Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) is approved as an interchangeable biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab)
FDA approvals and launches
- Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) is approved as an interchangeable biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab).
- The drug is expected to launch in Q1 2025 due to active Stelara patents
- Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Velsipity (etrasimod) are approved as treatment for ulcerative colitis
- Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx) is approved as a first-in-class treatment for plaque psoriasis
- Xphozah (tenapanor) is approved to treat patients with chronic kidney disease
News
Rite Aid Corporation files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Elixir Solutions to be acquired by MedImpact
- The pharmacy chain will continue to operate its stores as usual; however, it plans to close hundreds of stores across the country.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) consider reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug
- Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which the DEA reserves for drugs with “no currently acceptable medical use.”
- Schedule III drugs are reserved for drugs with accepted medical use accompanied by moderate to low potential for dependence.
- Examples of Schedule III drugs include Tylenol with codeine and testosterone.
Federal court judge ruling limits use of copay accumulator programs
- The ruling only allows copay accumulator programs to be applied to claims for brand drugs that have an available generic equivalent.
- Several states have previously banned the use of copay accumulator programs entirely.
Evernorth publishes 2023 Pharmacy in Focus report
- The report analyzes results from a nationwide survey of consumers with employer-sponsored health insurance, employers who manage employee benefit for their organization, and health plan leaders.
- Topics covered include the increase in biosimilar utilization, obesity and diabetes trends, drug affordability and access, and the role of pharmacists in the distribution chain.
Navitus partners with GoodRx to launch Savings Connect program
- The program will allow its members to access GoodRx pricing automatically at the pharmacy.
- GoodRx offers pricing for certain drugs that can be less expensive than pricing available through a member’s pharmacy benefits plan.
IQVIA presents Biosimilars in 2023 Early Observations of Adalimumab and Expectations for Future Biologics webinar
- The webinar discusses barriers to biosimilar adoption, pricing dynamics, and current market share trends of Lantus (insulin glargine) and Humira (adalimumab) biosimilars.
- In general, biosimilar adoption rates have been steady but slow for both products.
Belgium considers ban on Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss, following guidance in other countries
- In recent months, departments of health in Australia and the UK have also issued guidance to prescribers limiting the use of Ozempic to address off-label use.
- The proposed ban and similar policies are intended to address supply shortages affecting patients with type 2 diabetes.
Read more (1)| Read more (2) | Read more (3)
TransparencyRx launches as an advocacy coalition for improving drug pricing
- The coalition is comprised of several PBMs with a stated goal of reducing costs for plans and patients, improving patient access, empowering technology, normalizing industry best-practices, and helping companies scale and innovate.
Skyrizi (risankizumab) achieves superiority endpoints in head-to-head study against Stelara (ustekinumab)
- The study evaluated clinical remission rates in patients with Crohn’s disease over a 48-week period as well as overall safety profiles.