UnitedHealth's Oxford unit favors Praluent

The Oxford Health Plans unit of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) issued a policy update favoring Praluent alirocumab from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) over competing PCSK9 inhibitor Repatha evolocumab from Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN). Oxford covers beneficiaries in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Starting Jan. 1, Oxford will require primary hyperlipidemia patients to demonstrate a history of failure after 12 consecutive weeks of treatment with Praluent, or a history of intolerance to Praluent, before it will cover Repatha. Oxford will also reimburse Repatha for patients who are already receiving treatment with the drug as of Jan. 1. ...