The National Forum issued the following statement in response to Amgen’s announcement that it cut the price of its cholesterol-lowering drug, Repatha, by 60 percent.
Leaders representing patients, providers, public health, payers and pharma/biotech have joined forces through the National Forum Value & Access Initiative to enhance health and well-being by supporting people’s access to evidence-based care that is appropriate for them.
The price change announced by Amgen appears to support the Value & Access Initiative’s consensus strategy, to align incentives for all stakeholders
- It appears designed to reduce consumers’ out-of-pocket costs.
- It may mean that health plans and pharmacy benefit managers can better provide evidence-based drug therapy for patients who may benefit most.
- Amgen’s assumption that increased sales will offset reduced margins may mean this new pricing strategy will preserve incentives for future innovation
The National Forum and its members will watch eagerly, hoping to see improved access to this cholesterol-lowering therapy for the people who may benefit most.