Express Scripts creates list of non-covered therapeutics

Express Scripts Holding Co. (NASDAQ:ESRX) published a list of 44 therapies that will not be covered on its National Preferred Formulary starting Jan.1, 2014. The list includes drugs that the pharmacy benefit manager previously covered, including diabetes drug Victoza liraglutide from Novo Nordisk A/S (CSE:NVO; NYSE:NVO). The list, which also includes newly approved drugs, does note covered alternatives. In lieu of Victoza, the list suggests once-weekly Bydureon exenatide or twice-daily Byetta exenatide, which Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) gained through its acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for a year of Victoza therapy is $3,985.80 at the low dose and $5,978 at the high dose, compared with $4,904.51 for Bydureon and $4,295.80 for both approved maintenance doses of Byetta.

Express Scripts said the National Preferred Formulary covers 30-40 million of its members and estimated that less than 2% of these members will be affected by the exclusions. Physicians can pursue an off-formulary "medically necessary" drug when on-formulary drugs are not appropriate. ...