Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

AMGN/NVS—US payers pressure Aimovig:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amgen-pricing-migraine/amgens-new-migraine-drug-hits-insurance-hurdles-idUSKBN1KG0CT

Bracing for a flood of costly prescription claims for the drug, Aimovig, large insurers such as Anthem Inc have set requirements for patients to document how they suffer from a defined number of headaches each month, and show that they have tried older migraine drugs first.

Others have made it even harder. Plans including Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Florida, Pennsylvania and Kansas confirmed with Reuters that they will only cover prescriptions from - or in consultation with - a neurologist or headache specialist, and specifically a member of the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. Only around three percent of U.S. neurologists have such certification…