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ARTICLE | Company News

Amgen examines barriers to PCSK9 inhibitor access

March 23, 2018 5:37 PM UTC

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) reported data from two retrospective studies suggesting that payer utilization management criteria does not accurately identify high-risk patients who should have access to PCSK9 inhibitors.

The first study found that 65% of 3,472 commercially insured and Medicare patients requesting access to PCSK9 inhibitors Repatha evolocumab or Praluent alirocumab were denied by their health plan. The rate of acute cardiovascular events was higher in the 65% of patients denied access than in the overall patient population requesting access over a 6 month period following access decisions (7.29 vs. 6.73 per patient years, respectively)...