CVS Health CDR (CAD Hedged)

Sandoz achieved 9% net sales growth in 2024, with biosimilars segment showing exceptional 30% growth to $2.8 billion, while generics contributed $7.5 billion with 2% growth.

• Ascent Consumer Products has issued an urgent nationwide recall of SinuCleanse Soft Tip Squeeze Bottle Nasal Wash System after detecting Staphylococcus aureus bacterial contamination in specific lots. • The contaminated nasal wash system poses serious health risks, potentially leading to severe complications including meningitis, endocarditis, and brain infections, particularly threatening immunocompromised individuals and elderly patients. • The affected product, identified by lot number 024122661A1 with expiration date 12-31-2027, was distributed nationwide through major retailers including Walgreens and CVS in January 2025.

A comprehensive analysis of Medicare Part D claims reveals that CVS, Humana, Cigna, and UnitedHealth Group control 34.1% of all pharmacy spending, with even higher shares in specialty pharmacy segments.

The FDA is moving to remove oral phenylephrine from the list of approved over-the-counter ingredients due to its lack of efficacy as a nasal decongestant.

The FDA is seeking to ban oral phenylephrine in OTC nasal decongestants due to research indicating its ineffectiveness as a pill or syrup.

• The FDA approved a higher 420mg strength of Hercessi (trastuzumab-strf), a biosimilar to Herceptin, for HER2-positive breast and gastric cancers, expanding treatment options. • UnitedHealth will remove AbbVie’s Humira from some preferred drug lists in 2025, favoring adalimumab biosimilars, reflecting the increasing biosimilar market share. • Evernorth will offer an interchangeable ustekinumab biosimilar for Stelara at $0 out-of-pocket cost, potentially saving patients around $4,000 annually. • The EMA's CHMP issued a positive opinion for Samsung Bioepis’ Opuviz (SB15), an aflibercept biosimilar referencing Eylea, for ophthalmic diseases.

National polling reveals over 80% of Americans find prescription drug costs excessive, while only 25% understand the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in drug pricing inflation.

The biosimilar landscape is expanding rapidly with over 10 FDA approvals in the past two years, primarily in cancer treatments and autoimmune diseases, offering potential cost savings of over 50% compared to brand biologics.

Clinical trial participation remains challenging for patients, with a 2018 NIH survey revealing 49% of participants experiencing daily routine disruptions and increased burden from lengthy visits and travel requirements.

Novartis's Kymriah, the first FDA-approved CAR-T cell therapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, demonstrates an impressive 83% remission rate in patients who failed traditional treatments.