Formulary Watch: Drug Shortages, August 8, 2021

Non-White patients who used copay cards were significantly more likely to encounter copay adjustment programs, such copay accumulators and maximizers, compared with their White counterparts.

Laurie Sobel, associate director for women’s health policy at KFF, moderated a panel discussion about the challenges associated with providing insurance coverage for the first FDA-approved oral contraceptive, Opill.

An analysis from 3 Axis has found that PBMs control how much pharmacies are reimbursed. This can vary significantly depending on the PBM contracts with insurers, creating a system with large inconsistencies in the prices that consumers pay for both generics and branded products.

CMS has included an additional 34 drugs on the list on products subject to rebates if their price increases are higher than inflation.

This simulation study also showed that semaglutide was the most effective for weight loss, and researchers said, long-term, savings associated with potential lifelong health improvements may shift the balance of cost-effectiveness.

Cell and gene therapies can be used for patients with cancer and serious diseases who have limited or no treatment options — but at a cost.