Replies to post #166406 on Amarin Corp Plc (AMRN)

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

That is horrifying Babr

[ferretmoney]

Amarin should provide a response letter for that kind of crap. It’s almost criminal malpractice coming from the PBM.

[IgnoranceIsBliss]

Now that letter is something that ought to be sent to AMRN

[dukesking]

B, Can you tell us what medication CVS is demanding it's customer's must switch to?

[jessellivermore]

Babr...You might be too busy to duke it out with the insurance carrier...But maybe you could send a copy to Amarin...They won't be...

":>) JL

[Nukemtiltheyglow]

Babe: thanks for posting this. I have a couple of questions though.
1) If this letter was sent to one of your patients, do they fall into the dyslipedemia category of 500 mg/dl?
2) Did this patient try using the Coupon? And still got this response.
This is definitely an terrible response from CVS to scare folks, but alas, l have been paying for V out if pocket. The coupon doesn't work for everyone. I'm thinking about going to Walgreens and seeing if they're pricing is any different? TIA, Nuke

[north40000]

Years ago, I got such a letter from CVS/GEHA/and some PBM I no longer remember the identity. My Physician wrote a letter or orally talked with a scientific officer/actuary of the above grouping. Suffice to say, someone in above group changed their mind, and the original decision negating coverage for Vascepa was reversed. I never asked my PCP what was said by him to change that decision.

Today it should be even easier for that decision to be reversed in light of info released from R-I November 10. Could there be an indication you prescribed Vascepa for that is better met by a competing medication efficacy/safety-wise, and less expensive to boot?

You should take the time; if you don't, that decision of CVS in the state you are located could affect your own(and every one elses') investment, if any....surely you understand that?

[sts66]

That blows donkey chunks - CVS Caremark is the PBM for a ton of insurers. While they think they're going by the letter of the law, that V and GL are currently only approved to treat TGs > 500 (ergo equivalent), the label of both drugs says it is unknown if they can treat pancreatitis, which is usually why TGs would be that high. You say you don't have the time to fight, but how long would it take for one of your assistants to write a note that the patient is already being treated for high LDL-C (or is at risk for Afib) and cannot take GL because of the increased CVD risk? And that V is in no way equivalent to GL because it contains no DHA?

[Nukemtiltheyglow]

Thanks Babr, what is wrong, is CVS telling people that there's clinically equivalent generics available. This is untrue. Someone is paying CVS to say this. CVS is just a pharmacy with candy bars and soda pop, nothing more. Amarin needs to be more proactive at issuing rebuttals.

[cmm3rd]

Babr,

Thanks for posting.

Longtime shareholder, former poster here and now frequent lurker.

Had already written AMRN asking about their efforts to educate PBMs and insurance companies, citing current Lovaza NRx market share stats (Lovaza NRx still almost 2/3). This morning, I followed up by pasting/forwarding your post with further questions about what is being done to educate PBMs/insurers to address misunderstandings/lack of information of this type.

Also contacted CVS Caremark (my PBM, Silverscript plan) in writing and within an hour received a callback, in which I inquired about my coverage for Vascepa for 2019 and expressed a desire to communicate with someone about the letter you posted.

The rep said Vascepa is Tier 4 and my cost for 90 day supply (4g/day) would be $309.71 if done via mail order, $411.99 if filled at local CVS pharmacy. I expressed concern about Tier 4 designation, and asked that such concern be forwarded.

I also asked that my concern about CVS' apparent, mistaken belief that there is a "lower-cost, clinically equivalent alternative drug" and CVS' not covering Vascepa in some of its plans be forwarded so that I can discuss same and provide information to appropriate persons at CVS.

Rep said my concerns are being forwarded and I would be contacted further.

Also sent a message to a company that works with PBMs, PDMI, http://www.pdmi.com/pdmi/home. No reply yet.

Noticed that some board members are considering a DTC campaign and other members' concerns with same (with which concerns I generally agree). Might that energy be better spent communicating instead with the right people at insurance companies and PBMs, providing them with links to NEJM article, Vascepa hcp webpage, pleiotropic effects article zumantu recently posted, Mason presentation, etc., and pointing out that they would be reducing their costs and increasing their profits (and saving their patients' lives and suffering) by moving Vascepa immediately to Tier 2? I don't expect such a change, but at least would hope they might be more receptive when approached by Amarin.

What would happen if informed insureds began communicating, in numbers, with their PBMs/insurers, alerting them to recently reported science that, when acted upon by physicians and PBMs, will save lives and reduce their costs? Some companies might be receptive to listening to their customers (to be sure, their decision-makers have heard of NEJM and AHA).

cmm3rd