FormularyWatch

Optum Rx saw revenue increase 13% in the second quarter compared with last year to more than $32 billion, and adjusted scripts grew to nearly 400 million, compared with 380 million last year. https://lnkd.in/gafwgH8m

The switch to biosimilars helped Navitus clients offset increased utilization in the non-specialty category and the introduction of higher-cost specialty drugs. https://lnkd.in/eXCdnXtb

The FTC’s interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) was just the latest effort to highlight what some say is an industry that profits at the expense of patients and independent pharmacists. The PBMs say the report paints an incomplete, misleading picture. Others say it shows the FTC is prepping its antitrust case. https://lnkd.in/eAzrfzvJ

The PBM industry said the FTC has not been objective, and that efforts to limit PBM negotiating tools would put patients at the mercy of drug manufacturers. https://lnkd.in/eEzqKNcp

Genentech had recalled the Susvimo ocular implant two years ago. The FDA has approved changes to the implant and needle. https://lnkd.in/edTjvZdX

Company officials have said the bundled payment program could negatively impact sales of Xphozah, which was approved last year to reduce serum phosphorus in patients with kidney disease on dialysis. https://lnkd.in/eT-BQ5X3

Donanemab — now with the brand name of Kisunla — slows cognitive and functional decline by up to 35% and has a list price of $695.65 per vial. https://lnkd.in/efSvD4g3

The 3Axis Advisors analysis suggests PBMs’ spread pricing practices leads to employers being charged different amounts for the same medications and to pharmacists facing reimbursement challenges. https://lnkd.in/erATpSQX

Nathan Downhour, Pharm.D., discusses the Pharmacy Match program, which will engage with physicians to make sure a specialty prescription gets to the best-fit pharmacy across a network powered by Free Market Health. https://lnkd.in/enSfsarq

Skyrizi is also available to treat patients with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease and has a list price of $21,017.36 for one dose. https://lnkd.in/ekNxx4kB