Denise Myshko

Yesafili and Opuviz are approved to treat patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy.

The new program will launch in January 2025 and provide plan sponsors greater predictability of pharmacy spend.

New study finds that daytime heat waves were associated with 19% higher odds of children’s asthma hospital visits. Longer heat waves doubled the odds of hospital visits.

Medicare patients under 65 who have pulmonary arterial hypertension require prolonged disability insurance and have found to have high healthcare costs, while further disparities are seen for those that face additional financial hardships, according to a poster at the annual ATS meeting.

The FDA has approved a new type of bispecific antibody to treat small cell lung cancer and an additional indication for Breyanzi for patients with follicular lymphoma. The agency has set review date for gene therapy for enzyme deficiency. In addition, Biogen have Eisai hve begun a rolling submission of subcutaneous Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease.

But the waivers that allow for coverage of tele-health expire at the end the year. Several bills have been put forth to extend coverage.

Upstaza is a one-time gene therapy to treat patients 18 months and older with AADC deficiency. It has a review date of Nov. 13, 2024.

The FDA has approved a liquid mycophenolate to prevent organ rejections but delayed the approval of Moderna’s RSV vaccine. Regulators have set dates for advisory committee meetings for midomafetamine for PTSD and for donanemab in Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the agency has set review dates for a subcutaneous Opdivo and a pancreatic/lung cancer therapy.

New KFF poll finds most of the adults who have taken GLP-1 therapies have diabetes or heart disease. But 38% said they have used for these drugs solely to lose weight.

An analysis of claims data shown Orladeyo can reduce hospitals and emergency room visit of patients with the rare genetic condition hereditary angioedema.

If approved, abelacimab could yield cost savings in preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation due to its ability to prevent bleeding.

Over the next five years, list prices of protected prescription drugs are expected grow between 1% and 4% a year, while net prices are expected to decline by the same amount, IQVIA predicts.

Over the next five years, list prices of protected prescription drugs are expected grow between 1% and 4% a year, while net prices are expected to decline by the same amount, IQVIA predicts.

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking approval of the subcutaneous formulation for all previous indications of Opdivo. The FDA has assigned a goal date of Dec. 29, 2024.

The FDA made several approvals this week, including converting Tivdak’s accelerated approval to full approval for cervical cancer and approvals for a high-concentration formulation of Cyltezo, Xolremdi for an ultra rare immune disorder and Libervant Film for epilepsy in young children.

Specialty medications represent a large and growing proportion of overall drug spend, but plans and employers are struggling to understand their costs to make good decisions, finds the latest PSG Specialty Drug report.

Research is highlighting how GLP-1 is expressed in prostate cancer, suggesting that GLP-1 agonists might have a future role in the management of this cancer.

Johns Hopkins researchers have shown that a monoclonal antibody can reverse type 1 diabetes. It targets a different antigen than Tzield.

Two new studies look at the financial hardships faced by those with a cancer diagnosis. Authors of both suggest there is a need for improving health insurance coverage.

The rate of ketoacidosis among children younger than 5 years of age with type 1 diabetes is higher in Medicaid than commercial plans, finds new analysis.

The high-concentration biosimilar will be distributed under Quallent’s private label and will be available in June through Evernorth’s Accredo specialty pharmacy.

How the Inflation Reduction Act is implemented and the role of pharmacy benefit managers in drug pricing are likely to be two areas that could look very different after the 2024 election.

Researchers also found that there was variation in use of the insulin glargine interchangeable biosimilars across state Medicaid programs.

Cencora’s Corey Ford says after the IRA’s out-of-pocket cap goes into effect next year, Part D plans are expected to put in place more narrow drug coverage and pharma companies will likely face a more competitive environment.

Zymfentra launched in March 2024 as the first subcutaneous formulation of infliximab for patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It has a list price of $6,181.08 for two shots over four weeks.

Xolremdi is the first therapy for WHIM syndrome, which can cause recurrent lung infections and papillomavirus-related warts. It’s available in two doses: 400 mg for an annual cost of $496,400 and 300 mg for an annual cost of $372,300.

This week, the FDA has approved several products, including Beqvez, the second gene therapy hemophilia B; Ojemda for children with brain tumors; an additional indication for Lutathera for adolescents with neuroendocrine tumors; and a bladder cancer immunotherapy. The agency has also issued a complete response letter for pz-cel to treat epidermolysis bullosa.

Beqvez (fidanacogene elaparvovec) is priced at $3.5 million, which is on parity with Hemgenix, the first one-time therapy to treat adults with hemophilia B. Pfizer’s warranty will refund insurers and continue to provide coverage for patients if they change insurers.

Ojemda will have a wholesale acquisition cost of $33,916 for a 28 day supply and will be distributed through specialty pharmacies Biologics by McKesson and Onco360.