Biotech Values

[willyw]

Help me understand Express scripts move.

(from SA)
" down in apparent response to the news that PBM Express Scripts (ESRX +1.5%) has dropped HCV med MAVYRET (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) from its formulary in favor of Merck's (MRK +0.4%) ZEPATIER (elbasvir/grazoprevir) and Gilead Sciences' (GILD) HARVONI (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir), EPCLUSA (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) and VOSEVI (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir). The action will take effect in 2019."

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Zepatier is labeled for G-1 and G-4. What of the other genotypes?
The verbage I posted above said they were also dropping Harvoni and Epclusa and Vosevi?!?

How are they going to treat these other genotypes or harder to treat treatment types?

How much room will patients or doctors or providers have in appeals, work arounds or back doors solutions? In-house patient assistance programs?

It almost looks to me as though they going for meager savings at the cost of more testing, longer treatment times, lower efficacy and less safety.e. Some doctors aren't quite up for more complicated programs.

It kind of looks like a nudge to get a pricing competition between Gilead and ABBV.
The world has almost weighed in; they don't want Zepatier.

The guidance Gilead gave was that they didn't see further price erosion. I didn't catch Abbvies (yet). Wouldn't these companies have been in negotiations w/ ESRX and been aware this was coming?

I wonder if that was factored into Abbvies lower guidance?