CER Daily Newsfeed

Value Viewpoint: September 20, 2024

(9/20, Kimberly Westrich, LinkedIn) comments “...New research published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP) seeks to identify those 15 drugs likely to be included in the 2025 CMS Medicare DPNP (yes, both of the products from ICER’s special assessment are included in the anticipated list). Using the criteria established in the Inflation Reduction Act, the authors – including NPC Summer Scholar Emma Cousin Cousin as lead author – identified 13 products they believe are most likely to be included in the DPNP. These include 4 anticancer therapies, 3 noninsulin antidiabetic products, 2 inhalers, 1 antifibrotic therapy, 1 gastrointestinal agent, 1 enzyme replacement therapy, and 1 product indicated for dyskinesia. They also identified 7 products that have the potential to be included but have some uncertainty. This group includes an insulin, an antiviral, an antibiotic, an immunologic agent, an antidiabetic, and 2 cancer drugs.” Full

Naltrexone vs Buprenorphine: No Significant Difference in Overdose Risk

(9/23, Lisa Kuhns, PhD, Rheumatology Advisor) reports “When evaluating the comparative effectiveness of naltrexone vs buprenorphine, extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) and sublingual buprenorphine (SL-BUP) are similarly effective for reducing overdose risk. However, XR-NTX had higher discontinuation rates than SL-BUP. These study results were recently published in Addiction.” Full

No Major Differences Identified Between R-CHOP21 Regimens for Treatment of Advanced-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

(9/20, Luke Halpern, Pharmacy Times) reports “No significant differences were observed in event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) between treatment with 6 cycles of rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP)21 or 6 cycles of R-CHOP21 with 2 additional administrations of rituximab (6x R-CHOP21 + 2R) for patients with advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to an analysis published in Blood Cancer Journal.” Full

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists vs SGLT2 Inhibitors and Kidney, Heart Outcomes in T2D

(9/23, Ron Goldberg, Renal & Urology News) reports “Similar kidney and cardiovascular outcomes are found with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) vs sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to study findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.” Full

Optum Rx's Vision for the Future of Specialty Care

(9/23, Fierce Healthcare) reports “...[Tricia Purdy, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Product, Optum Rx:] We really believe that fundamentally value-based care, and again, versus a fee-for-service payment model, is the path forward to creating a high-performing modern health system. A system that seamlessly brings together primary care, specialty, behavioral pharmacy care to give patients that high-quality, affordable care is what we are driving toward.” Full

An Appeals Court Has Revived a Challenge to President Biden’s Medicare Drug Price Reduction Program

(9/20, Kevin McGill, Associated Press) reports “...Friday’s ruling was handed down by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It does not derail the program, but the ruling sends the case back for further consideration by the Texas-based federal district court that tossed it in February. And it means the case is likely to wind up back before the conservative-dominated appeals court where opponents of President Joe Biden’s initiatives often pursue challenges on issues ranging from abortion access to immigration to gun rights.” Full