The American journal of managed care
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In response to brand-name drug manufacturers developing co-pay assistance programs to help patients pay high out-of-pocket costs for expensive brand-name drugs, insurers have developed co-pay accumulator adjustment programs (CAAPs) that exclude payments made by drug manufacturer assistance programs when calculating whether beneficiaries have met their yearly out-of-pocket maximums. By doing so, these programs are intended to drive beneficiaries to lower-priced generic alternatives. A rule finalized in July 2020 makes such programs permissible even when a brand-name drug does not have a generic or medically appropriate alternative, while not requiring transparency from payers about the existence of such programs. This commentary explains how CAAPs work and how this finalized rule may affect spending on prescription drugs.
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The first FDA-approved biosimilar was launched in 2015: filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio), a biosimilar for the reference drug filgrastim (Neupogen). Filgrastim is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor used to prevent and treat neutropenia. In this study, we examined the association between site of care and drug cost across reference filgrastim, tbo-filgrastim (Granix; a version of filgrastim approved as a biosimilar in Europe and as a new drug in the United States), and biosimilar filgrastim administrations among the commercially insured. ⋯ Although previous work has found lower costs for biosimilar filgrastim compared with reference filgrastim, here we found that site of care can change this calculus, reducing savings. After adjusting for patient characteristics and geography, we found that drug cost savings for biosimilar filgrastim were limited to the office setting, with no savings in the outpatient hospital setting.
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Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an example of how immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of hematologic malignancies with unprecedented response rates in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The process for administering CAR T-cell therapy is complex, with multiple steps including CAR T-cell manufacturing, lymphodepleting chemotherapy, cellular therapy infusion, and management of short-term and long-term toxicities. ⋯ Research in CAR T-cell therapy is expected to improve tolerability and expand indications to more types of malignancies and earlier phases of disease. Managed care professionals should have an understanding of the clinical trial data and place in therapy in lymphoma, myeloma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as guideline recommendations for adverse effect management associated with CAR T-cell therapies.
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After years of anticipation about Amazon's rumored entry into pharmacy, Amazon Pharmacy launched in November 2020. What is yet to be understood is whether this new Amazon offering is a true market disruption capable of upending the pharmacy industry. This commentary describes the epic rise of Amazon from bookseller to retail giant, leading to its entry into the retail pharmacy space. Amazon Pharmacy's business model is described and its potential for industry disruption discussed.
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Since the historic approval of tisagenlecleucel for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2017, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have altered the treatment paradigm for hematologic malignancies. Five CAR T-cell products are now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a growing number of cancer indications and a global market worth billions is anticipated in the next 5 years. ⋯ CAR T-cell therapies currently have the potential to be cost-effective; however, improved safety and efficacy, outpatient administration, and a streamlined manufacturing process could make them even more so. In the meantime, payers and providers are tasked with facing the logistical complexities of CAR T-cell therapy and developing new payment and reimbursement strategies to ensure value-based care and optimal access today.