Insurers Will Likely Require Step Therapy for New Schizophrenia Drug
March
28
Bristol Myers Squibb on March 18 completed its $14 billion acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., whose lead drug, KarXT (xanomeline-trospium), is expected to gain FDA approval for treating schizophrenia later this year. That deal and results from clinical trials suggest KarXT could gain significant market share in a crowded schizophrenia medication marketplace.
However, two drug pricing experts tell AIS Health that it remains to be seen how payers will cover KarXT, especially if it’s priced significantly higher than its generic competitors, as it is expected to be. KarXT, an oral medication, has an FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Act data of Sept. 24, meaning the FDA will make an approval decision by then.
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