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FDA Approves Yet Another Cell Tx – Amtagvi

The FDA recently approved yet another – first in class -cellular therapy, Amtagvi (lifileucel) from Iovance Biotherapeutics Inc., indicated for the treatment of adult patients with a type of skin cancer (melanoma) that is unable to be removed with surgery (unresectable) or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) that previously has been treated with other therapies.

Exposure to ultraviolet light is the leading cause of Melanoma, a form of skin.  Melanomas represent approximately 1% of all skin cancers yet are related to a significant number of cancer-related deaths as they metastasize. 

Amtagvi is a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy composed of a patient’s own T cells. Tumor tissue from the patient is surgically removed and their T cells are separated from the sample. The resulting therapy is then infused in the patient as a single dose. This is the first FDA-approved tumor-derived T cell immunotherapy.

Amtagvi was approved with a Boxed Warning due to prolonged severe low blood count, severe infection, cardiac disorder, respiratory or renal function failure. 

CLICK HERE for prescribing information

The company confirmed that Amtagvi will carry a list price of $515,000.

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FDA Approves First Cellular Therapy to Treat Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma

CLICK HERE to read the full article

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HUGE $$ Fine for Data Breach at Big Specialty Pharmacy

It is not often that I see a report of an event that is so extraordinary that it is jaw dropping. A report that BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy experienced a data breach in 2021 which, in itself, would not typically be extraordinary. However, the settlement imposed on BioPlus was a WHOPPING $2.2 million! That is the jaw dropping part.

We’ve often written about similar data breaches as warning signs for other specialty pharmacies to learn from and take actions that, which may be costly to implement but are cheap in the long run should something ‘hit the fan’.

In this case, the ‘fan’ cost BioPlus a tremendous amount  of cash. The article below mentions that the data breach exposed sensitive patient information of approximately 350,000 individuals. The amount of the fine is likely influenced by the size of the breach.

The yet unanswered question is….. “What’s Next?”Data security is already well established and most specialty pharmacies have already expended a lot of effort to build up their data firewalls and overall security. Will more regulation prevent future data breaches? Probably not…… given the ingenuity of those that will go anywhere at any time to get data either for ‘fun’ or profit. 

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In a landmark settlement, BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy compensates for a significant data breach with $2.2 million, setting precedents for data privacy.

CLICK here to read the full article

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FDA (re)Approves New Form of 1997 Tx for EoE – Eohilia

……..catching up on FDA approvals

The FDA recently approved a new form of Eohilia (budesonide oral suspension) from Takeda , the first and only FDA-approved oral therapy for patients 11 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Budesonide was first approved by the FDA under the brand name Pulmicort in 1997 as an oral inhalation formulation for the treatment of asthma.

EoE is a chronic disease that can significantly impact patients causing esophageal inflammation and intermittent symptoms of choking and difficult or painful swallowing.  The largest study in the U.S. found the prevalence of EoE to be 57/100,000, or approximately 152,000 cases.

Eohilia is given over a 12-week course in single-dose 2 mg/10 ml stick packs, taken twice daily. It has a wholesale acquisition cost of $1,875 per month.  Eohilia  will compete with Dupixent which costs around $3,800 for two prefilled pens, which are taken either once a week or once every other week for EoE. Eohilia is supplied in a carton containing 60 single-dose stick packs.

Takeda did not disclose distribution details. As Eohilia is limited to 12 weeks of treatment and has a relatively low cost compared to most specialty pharmacy therapies, it would not be surprising to see this therapy available through open access.

Click here for prescribing information

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FDA Approves Takeda’s EOHILIA (budesonide oral suspension), the First and Only Oral Treatment in the U.S. for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

— 12 Weeks of Treatment with EOHILIA May Address Significant Unmet Needs of Patients 11 Years of Age and Older

— EoE Is a Chronic Disease That Can Significantly Impact Patients, with Esophageal Inflammation and Intermittent Symptoms of Choking and Difficult or Painful Swallowing

Click here to read the full article

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Another Biosimilar to Avastin – Avzivi

……..catching up on FDA Approvals

The FDA recently approved a new infused therapy, Avzivi (bevacizumab-tnjn) from Bio-Thera Solutions, as a biosimilar to AVASTIN (bevacizumab). It did not receive an interchangeable designation.

Avzivi is indicated for the treatment of (refer to prescribing information for full indication):

  • Metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination 
  • Metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination 
  • Non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, in combination 
  • Recurrent glioblastoma in adults
  • Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in combination 
  • Cervical cancer, in combination 
  • Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer in combination.

CLICK HERE to access prescribing information

Four biosimilar versions of Avastin were previously approved: 

  • Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb), 
  • Zirabev (bevacizumab-bvzr), 
  • Alymsys (bevacizumab-maly), and 
  • Vegzelma (bevacizumab-adcd).

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FDA Approves Bio-Thera Solutions’ Avzivi (bevacizumab-tnjn), a biosimilar referencing Avastin

  • Avzivi (BAT1706) is Bio-Thera Solutions’ second FDA approved product in the United States
  • Avzivi® is the second biosimilar researched, developed, and manufactured by a Chinese pharmaceutical company to receive FDA approval in the United States

CLICK HERE to read the full press release

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Patient Satisfaction Shifting for Specialty Pharmacies

The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) recently released the results of a patient satisfaction survey of specialty pharmacies. The results are worth evaluating…… closely. Ultimately, satisfaction will influence patient preferences as to the type of specialty pharmacy they will prefer to use in the future.

The survey included 17,477 customers at 35 participating specialty pharmacies.

Here are the key findings… (the sample size is a bit small but is large wnough to ponder the findings)

  • Academic medical center specialty pharmacies (13) scored highest—an average of 93.7% 
  • Non-academic health-system specialty pharmacies (12) —92.8% 
  • Independent specialty pharmacies (10) slid back to third place —89.2%.

Scores increased for all specialty pharmacies across the board from 2021 to 2022 in five key areas: 

  • communication with the pharmacy team; 
  • pharmacy’s ability to return calls in a timely manner;
  • patient knowledge of their health conditions; 
  • timeliness of prescription deliveries; and 
  • keeping patients informed of their prescription status.

Here is where it gets interesting…. especially if you are at an independent specialty pharmacy. The survey also calculated Net Promoter Scores (NPSs), a person’s likelihood of recommending the pharmacy to family and friends.

  • Academic specialty pharmacies had an 84.5 NPS
  • Health-system pharmacies chipped in at 81.6 
  • But…… Independent pharmacies only garnered a measly rate of 69.2….. ouch!

Independent specialty pharmacies should look in the mirror to see why hospital owned / operated SPs are doing much better on the NPS scale. These SPs are looking to drive as many patients into their column as possible. Now would be the time for independent SPs to seriously relook at patient satisfaction and think of things that will positively impact future contacts….. and not rest on past laurels.

Can’t you see I’m on a losing streak?

I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no, satisfaction…. hey, hey, hey

…………….the Rolling Stones seem to have seen the light

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The Key Drivers of Specialty Pharmacy Customer Satisfaction

Communication, trust cited in NASP survey

CLICK HERE to read the full article

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FDA Approves Gel for Rare Skin Disease – Filsuvez

…… catching up o FDA approvals

The FDA has approved a new specialty topical gel, Filsuvez (birch triterpenes) from Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. Parma, indicated for the treatment of the rare, devastating skin disease epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

EB is a genetic, connective tissue disease that causes the skin to become fragile and blister. The condition can worsen to be life-threatening including the development of aggressive squamous cell carcinomas and infections.

The overall incidence and prevalence of EB are 19.6 and 11.07 cases per million live births, respectively. The incidence and prevalence of junctional epidermolysis bullosa are estimated at 2.68 and 0.49 cases per one million live births.

Chiesi has not published acquisition pricing. However, they have confirmed that PANTHER Rx Rare was selected as a limited distribution partner for Filsuvez.

CLICK HERE for prescribing information

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After Amryt buyout, Chiesi scores with FDA nod for rare skin disease treatment Filsuvez

The FDA’s approval of rare skin disease drug Filsuvez gives Chiesi Global Rare Diseases its third nod for a new drug from the U.S. regulator this year. (Chiesi)

Seven months after Krystal Biotech became the first company to gain FDA approval to treat, Chiesi Farmaceutici has followed suit.

CLICK HERE to read the full article

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Site-of-Care Rules Getting Tougher

We’ve often written about the battle being fought around site-of-care. As we’ve suggested previously, it comes down to one word….. MONEY.

Payers have been turning up the flame under the pot in which the battle is being fought. They are increasingly looking to move in more aggressive ways to redirect patinets away from comparatively very expensive hospital outpatient departments and into alternate site of care.

The article below lays out one new strategy by a large payer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, to redirect their members to lower cost sites of care. A new policy that went into effect few weeks ago included a targeted list of drugs “may be covered only when administered at the following sites of care:

  • Doctor’s or other health care provider’s office
  • The member’s home, administered by a home infusion therapy provider
  • Ambulatory infusion center.”

Here are the targeted therapies…

  • Bavencio
  • Imfinzi
  • Imjudo
  • Jemperli
  • Keytruda
  • Libtayo
  • Opdivo
  • Opdualag
  • Tecentriq
  • Yervoy
  • Zynyz

We will not be surprised to see other payers follow this strategy….. especially as each newly infused therapy appears break new records for price.

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Additional drugs to have site-of-care requirements for some Blue Cross commercial members, starting March 15

CLICK HERE to read the press release

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