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STAT+: ‘Skinny labels’ on generic medicines saved Medicare $15 billion over a recent six-year period

STAT

A controversial provision of a federal law designed to speed copycat drugs to market and foster competition saved Medicare Part D nearly $15 billion from 2015 to 2021 on just 15 medicines during that period, according to a new analysis. In short, this is a so-called carve-out.

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STAT+: ‘Skinny labels’ on biosimilar medicines saved Medicare $1.5 billion over a recent five-year period

STAT

billion from 2015 to 2020 — or nearly 5% of the $30.2 The provision is known as skinny labeling , which refers to a move by a company that seeks regulatory approval to market a generic or biosimilar medicine for a specific use, but not for other patented uses for which the brand-name drug is prescribed.

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Health Canada expands Orkambi label to include access to infants

Pharmaceutical Technology

This label expansion makes Orkambi the only disease-modifying CF medication available to patients of this age in Canada. This label expansion follows a similar label change in the US in September 2022. Health Canada is granting this new label expansion based on recent results from a Phase III study.

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Teva asks SCOTUS to overturn “skinny label” verdict on GSK drug

pharmaphorum

The case hinges around the concept of “ skinny labelling ” which was introduced to stop drugmakers extending the exclusivity period for their branded medicines – through a stream of new indications or patient populations – that can be protected with so-called “use” patents. The substance patent expired in 2007.

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Vertex gets EU okay to treat younger cystic fibrosis patients

pharmaphorum

The new EU approval comes after the FDA approved the expanded label last year, and provides the first treatment option that tackles the underlying cause of CF in patients aged six to 11 with these mutations. Together these drugs cover the CFTR mutations seen in around half of all CF patients.

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The Guardian view on cystic fibrosis treatments: a rollercoaster ride for the sick | Editorial

The Guardian - Pharmaceutical Industry

Then came Orkambi in 2015 and Symkevi in 2018 – both two-drug combinations. Kaftrio is the latest to be labelled unaffordable for a cash-strapped NHS. The drugs that have caused such a stir are made by the US biotech company Vertex. Since 2020, there has been Kaftrio, which is a triple combination. Continue reading.

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Novartis bags elusive US approval for cholesterol drug inclisiran

pharmaphorum

There are signs of momentum building with the antibodies, with Repatha seeing a 33% increase in sales to $272 million in the third quarter, finally approaching the blockbuster run rate that was predicted when it was first approved in 2015. billion in 2019, and will be hoping for a swift uptake in the US to get a return on its big investment.

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