Fampyra fampridine regulatory update

Biogen Idec and Germany's Statutory Health Insurance Funds Association (GKV-Spitzenverband) said they reached an agreement on the price for Fampyra fampridine to improve walking ability in multiple sclerosis patients. According to the joint statement, the negotiated price reflects a "balance of interest" between the 2 parties, who also said that the negotiations are the first for a drug which had a non-pharmaceutical comparator. Last August, Germany's Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) said in a benefit assessment that Fampyra provides no additional benefit over physiotherapy (see BioCentury, Aug. 6, 2012). Under AMNOG, Germany's drug pricing law that came into effect in January 2011, drugs without an additional benefit are reimbursed at a rate no higher than the comparator. ...