WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) announced today that Repatha™ (evolocumab) from Amgen
Inc. will be added as the only PCSK9 inhibitor on the CVS/caremark
commercial formularies. The decision comes after a thorough
evaluation of two new PCSK9 inhibitor therapies, which were
approved by the FDA earlier this year.
"CVS Health is committed to providing high-quality medications
for our clients and their members at the lowest possible cost. We
have determined that choosing a single PCSK9 inhibitor for our
commercial formularies allows us to get the best price possible for
clients and preserves our commitment to deliver the best care
available," said Troyen A. Brennan, MD, MPH, executive vice
president and Chief Medical Officer, CVS Health.
Per the company's standard approach, the CVS/caremark national
Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee carefully evaluated
both of the currently available PCSK9 inhibitors and determined the
drugs to be therapeutically equivalent, a decision that has been
corroborated by consultation with board-certified specialists in
both cardiology and endocrinology. The P&T Committee is
composed of independent, external experts, including clinical
pharmacists and physicians, who evaluate the clinical
appropriateness of formulary changes on a regular basis.
"We believe patients should have access to the right medication,
at the right time and for the right reason. We anticipate that for
most members with high cholesterol, statins will remain the
standard of care, given long-standing evidence that they prevent
heart disease and the fact that they are extremely cost-effective,"
Brennan added.
While PCSK9 inhibitors represent a clinical breakthrough for
people with very high cholesterol, the CVS/caremark cholesterol
management approach starts with statins, the backbone of treatment
for millions of American adults who have high levels of low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). For the small percentage of
patients with high cholesterol who do not achieve their treatment
goals with a statin or other alternative therapies, PCSK9
inhibitors may be necessary. CVS/caremark recommends utilization
management strategies to clients to ensure appropriate patient
access while helping to contain cost.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation
company helping people on their path to better health. Through its
more than 7,900 retail drugstores, more than 1,000 walk-in medical
clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70
million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business
serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding
specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses
and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective
ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality
care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health
care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping
the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media
Contacts:
|
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Christine
Cramer
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Christina
Beckerman
|
CVS Health
|
CVS Health
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(401)
770-3317
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(401)
770-8868
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Christine.Cramer@cvshealth.com
|
Christina.Beckerman@cvshealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health