Novartis fighting assessment of diabetes drugs in Germany

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) filed a complaint in a German court in December through which it is seeking to block an assessment of its Type II diabetes drugs in the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor (gliptin) class, which were launched before Germany's drug pricing law AMNOG came into effect. Last June, Germany's Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) said it would conduct benefit assessments of DPP-4 inhibitors in its first assessment of any drugs that were launched before the law (see BioCentury Extra, June 7, 2012).

Novartis said in a statement that there are undisclosed "uncertainties" in whether the assessment process for the drugs meets legal criteria, which the pharma said must be examined by a court. A decision is expected in the coming weeks. Dossiers for DPP-4 inhibitors marketed prior to AMNOG are due March 31. ...