Prime Therapeutics Removes Two Therapies from Medicare D Formulary

Prime Therapeutics has made several changes to its Medicare Part D formulary effective. Effective September 1, 2021, Romark Laboratories’ Alinia (nitazoxanide) tablets 500 mg and Alinia for suspension 100 mg/5mL have will no longer be covered by Medicare Part D. The change impacts several of the organization’s formularies, including Ideal Formularies and Value & Essential Formularies. Additionally, some client formularies are affected, including those of Alignment, Asuris, Capital Blue Cross, HCSC, Horizon, and Regence.

Alinia is an anti-parasitic agent that is used to treat the symptoms of diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum or Giardia lamblia.

In March 2021, Lupin launched a generic version of nitazoxanide tablets.

Prime Therapeutics will also remove Pfizer’s Sutent (sunitinib) capsules, 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 37.5 mg, and 50 mg, from the drug list effective September 15, 2021. The change impacts several of the organization’s formularies, including Ideal Formularies and Value & Essential Formularies. Additionally, some client formularies are affected, including those of Alignment, Asuris, Capital Blue Cross, HCSC, Horizon, and Regence.

Sutent is a chemotherapy used to treat advanced or progressive tumors of the stomach, intestines, esophagus, pancreas, or kidneys.

Prime stated that the reason for this change is that a generic is now available from Sun Pharma.

Prime Therapeutics manages pharmacy benefits for health plans, employers, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid and serves more than one million Medicare beneficiaries.