Amgen has significantly reduced the price of its cholesterol medication, Repatha, by over 60% for U.S. patients through a newly launched medication-access program called AmgenNow. This initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to lower prescription drug prices, enabling patients to access Repatha for $239 a month, a price that also extends to beneficiaries of government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
This strategic move by Amgen reflects a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry, where companies are increasingly pressured to provide more affordable options amidst rising public scrutiny over drug pricing. By implementing direct-to-consumer pricing and international price benchmarking, Amgen aims to enhance patient access while potentially influencing competitors to follow suit in a market that is becoming increasingly price-sensitive.
In related news, Skye Bioscience has faced setbacks with its obesity drug candidate, which failed to demonstrate significant weight loss in a mid-stage study. The drug, designed to block CB1 receptors, resulted in an average weight loss of only 1.5% over 26 weeks, raising concerns about its efficacy and the viability of the CB1 blocking mechanism. This outcome could have implications for similar drugs in development by major players like Novo Nordisk and Corbus Pharmaceuticals, as the industry continues to explore innovative solutions for obesity treatment.
Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…
Start your 7-day trial and see what the database can do →
