This is very-likely to be one of many states (and perhaps -- the federal Medicaid system, itself, as well) to require "prior authorization" before Vytorin® may be submitted for reimbursement, by any doctor whose patient is a New York Medicaid recipient.
This probability was predicted by several writers in February 2008 (including the author of this blog). Consequently, it is unlikely that Vytorin® will ever again show significant quarter over quarter sales growth in the United States. This franchise (along with Zetia®) represents at least 50 percent of Schering's expected 2008 profitability. It is hard to overstate the importance of this event. Buckle your chin-strap, Kenilworth -- as Round Two of the Layoff Crash Car Derby is about to begin. . . .
An image of the actual page of the New York State Medicaid document coming -- in mere moments -- here (click to enlarge):
NEW YORK STATE MEDICAID
PREFERRED DRUG LIST
All non-preferred drugs in these classes require prior authorization. . . .
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
NON-PREFERRED AGENTS
Vytorin®. . . .
Oddly, Zetia -- of which Vytorin is partially comprised -- retains preferred status as an LDL lowering agent -- but apparently not a CV outcomes-approved (Reductase Inhibitor) agent. I am actively seeking feedback on that portion of this event. Any comment? Any docs out there?
[All with a sincere, and huge, Hat Tip to Anonymous Commenter No. 24, at CafePharma.com, here.]
6 comments:
Vytorin is off but Zetia on in Illinois as well
That's interesting -- and probably the way most states will break. A regular at CafePharma commented that the Zetia listing may be explained in terms of being the only drug in the class of (non-CV-outcome effecting) simple cholesterol lowering compounds.
That comment reminded us that Zetia is to be a "last line" therapy.
Thanks for the new Illinois information!
actually, zetia is only drug in class as 'absorption inhibitor' not as 'non-CV outcome.'
The latter needs to be confirmed or disproved.
True. It might be more simply stated -- in plain English -- that Zetia is the only FDA approved drug that uses a gut-absorption mechanism to lower cholesterol. The ones with favorable CV event reduction outcomes data in their favor all use a liver mechanism -- they are called statins.
Zetia is NOT a statin. VYTORIN is a statin, mixed with the active compound in Zetia. VYTORIN is now NON-Preferred in New Yorka nd Illinois, apparently.
Namaste
Fair enough?
bingo~~well said.
Keep up the torch.....despite Frank over on Yahoo.
What do you think are the direct financial impacts of the Wall Street debacle on S/P operations? Didn't many of the houses 'support/fund/broker' the Organon acquistion?
Cash flow must be hurting in Kenilworth, no?
Even more bad news for spending capital in Kenilworth:
Schering-Plough's chief executive officer told Dow Jones Newswires early Thursday that a European recession would be hurtful to the company, as a majority of its sales are made overseas
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