Humana Inc. | MedPath

Novo Nordisk Launches Home Delivery Service for Wegovy at $499 Monthly for Cash-Paying Patients

3 months ago

• Novo Nordisk introduces NovoCare Pharmacy, a direct-to-patient delivery service offering all Wegovy dose strengths at $499 per month for cash-paying and eligible commercially insured patients without coverage. • The launch comes as Wegovy supply stabilizes, with FDA confirming Novo Nordisk can now meet market demand following previous shortages that limited new prescriptions since 2022. • Currently, over 55 million Americans have coverage for weight management medicines, with 90% of insured Wegovy patients paying $0-$25 monthly for their prescriptions.

Major Insurers and PBMs Control 34% of Medicare Part D Pharmacy Spending, Study Reveals

4 months ago

• 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. • Research demonstrates significant patient steering practices, with specialty drug claims being 19.8 percentage points more likely to be filled at insurer-PBM owned pharmacies than expected without steering. • The study highlights potential market competition concerns, particularly in specialty drug categories where insurer-PBM pharmacy control reaches up to 89.7% for certain therapeutic classes.

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Advances Ocular Rosacea Program and Accelerates XDEMVY Launch

4 months ago

• Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is set to initiate a Phase 2 study of TP-04 (lotilaner ophthalmic gel) in the second half of 2025 for treating ocular rosacea. • XDEMVY (lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25%) achieved $113 million in net product sales in the first nine months of 2024, with over 104,000 bottles delivered. • The company's direct-to-consumer advertising campaign for XDEMVY began in January 2025, coinciding with high-profile events like the Golden Globes. • Tarsus anticipates potential European regulatory approval for a preservative-free XDEMVY formulation by 2027 and awaits a decision on TP-03 in China.

RedHill's Talicia Gains Major Medicare Coverage Through Humana Part D Plan

4 months ago

RedHill Biopharma's H. pylori treatment Talicia will be covered by Humana's Part D Plan starting January 2025, extending access to over 8 million Medicare beneficiaries. The coverage comes without prior authorization requirements for both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients, marking a significant expansion in the drug's accessibility.

FDA Approves Journavx, a Novel Non-Opioid Painkiller, Offering New Hope for Acute Pain Management

5 months ago

• The FDA has approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, for treating moderate to severe acute pain in adults, offering a safer alternative to opioids. • Journavx works by selectively blocking pain signals in the peripheral nervous system, reducing pain without the addictive potential and severe side effects associated with opioids. • Clinical trials demonstrated Journavx's effectiveness in reducing pain after surgeries, with a safety profile comparable to placebo, though it didn't outperform opioid-acetaminophen combinations. • Priced at $15.50 per pill, Journavx faces challenges in accessibility due to its higher cost compared to generic opioids, but it represents a significant step in combating the opioid crisis.

COA 2024: Value-Based Care Challenges and PBM Reform Take Center Stage in Oncology

5 months ago

• The end of the Oncology Care Model has led to significant reductions in value-based care volumes, prompting concerns about sustaining extended patient services and equitable care delivery in oncology practices. • The Inflation Reduction Act's drug price negotiations could result in up to 49% reimbursement cuts for oncology providers, raising alarms about the financial sustainability of community practices. • Industry experts emphasize urgent need for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, calling for increased transparency and policy changes to address spread pricing and rebate schemes affecting biosimilar adoption.

Pfizer's Hympavzi Receives FDA Approval for Hemophilia Treatment

7 months ago

• The FDA has approved Pfizer's Hympavzi for treating specific types of hemophilia, marking a significant advancement in hemophilia therapy. • Hympavzi is the first once-weekly subcutaneous prophylactic treatment approved for hemophilia B, offering a more convenient dosing schedule. • This new treatment is also the first of its kind to be available in a pre-filled pen or syringe for both hemophilia A and B patients. • Pfizer's Hympavzi approval underscores the company's commitment to expanding its portfolio with innovative and patient-friendly treatments.