Highlights

• Rite Aid Corporation files for bankruptcy, Elixir Solutions to be acquired by MedImpact
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) consider reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug
• Federal court judge ruling limits use of copay accumulator programs
• Evernorth publishes 2023 Pharmacy in Focus report
• Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) is approved as an interchangeable biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab)

FDA approvals and launches

• Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) is approved as an interchangeable biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab).
• The drug is expected to launch in Q1 2025 due to active Stelara patents
• Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) and Velsipity (etrasimod) are approved as treatment for ulcerative colitis
• Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx) is approved as a first-in-class treatment for plaque psoriasis
• Xphozah (tenapanor) is approved to treat patients with chronic kidney disease

News

Rite Aid Corporation files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Elixir Solutions to be acquired by MedImpact

• The pharmacy chain will continue to operate its stores as usual; however, it plans to close hundreds of stores across the country.

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Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) consider reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug

• Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which the DEA reserves for drugs with “no currently acceptable medical use.”
• Schedule III drugs are reserved for drugs with accepted medical use accompanied by moderate to low potential for dependence.
• Examples of Schedule III drugs include Tylenol with codeine and testosterone.

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Federal court judge ruling limits use of copay accumulator programs

• The ruling only allows copay accumulator programs to be applied to claims for brand drugs that have an available generic equivalent.
• Several states have previously banned the use of copay accumulator programs entirely.

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Evernorth publishes 2023 Pharmacy in Focus report

• The report analyzes results from a nationwide survey of consumers with employer-sponsored health insurance, employers who manage employee benefit for their organization, and health plan leaders.
• Topics covered include the increase in biosimilar utilization, obesity and diabetes trends, drug affordability and access, and the role of pharmacists in the distribution chain.

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Navitus partners with GoodRx to launch Savings Connect program

• The program will allow its members to access GoodRx pricing automatically at the pharmacy.
• GoodRx offers pricing for certain drugs that can be less expensive than pricing available through a member’s pharmacy benefits plan.

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IQVIA presents Biosimilars in 2023 Early Observations of Adalimumab and Expectations for Future Biologics webinar

• The webinar discusses barriers to biosimilar adoption, pricing dynamics, and current market share trends of Lantus (insulin glargine) and Humira (adalimumab) biosimilars.
• In general, biosimilar adoption rates have been steady but slow for both products.

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Belgium considers ban on Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss, following guidance in other countries

• In recent months, departments of health in Australia and the UK have also issued guidance to prescribers limiting the use of Ozempic to address off-label use.
• The proposed ban and similar policies are intended to address supply shortages affecting patients with type 2 diabetes.

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TransparencyRx launches as an advocacy coalition for improving drug pricing

• The coalition is comprised of several PBMs with a stated goal of reducing costs for plans and patients, improving patient access, empowering technology, normalizing industry best-practices, and helping companies scale and innovate.

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Skyrizi (risankizumab) achieves superiority endpoints in head-to-head study against Stelara (ustekinumab)

• The study evaluated clinical remission rates in patients with Crohn’s disease over a 48-week period as well as overall safety profiles.

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