Price Break: Cigna Welcomes Trio of Discounted Biosimilars to Preferred Drug Roster

What You Need to Know:

Cigna Group’s unit, Express Scripts, is adding three biosimilar versions of AbbVie’s arthritis treatment Humira to its preferred drugs list.
Reuters explains that “The biosimilars include Hyrimoz and an unbranded version of Humira from Swiss drugmaker Novartis’ (NOVN.S) Sandoz generics division, as well as German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo.”
Sandoz announced its unbranded biosimilar will be priced at an 81% discount to Humira’s current market price of $6,922 per month and Hyrimoz at a 5% discount.
Boehringer Ingelheim plans to launch Cyltezo at 5% – 7% below the Humira list price.
Express Scripts voiced that they will include these biosimilars in the formulary or drug reimbursement list.
There is no information on whether patients will have the same access to Sandoz’s lower-priced biosimilar. Patients may have to pay higher out-of-pocket rates or meet specific criteria to access the cheaper, unbranded biosimilar.
Available starting in July, these biosimilars increase competition for Humira, joining Amgen’s Amjevita and others on Express Scripts’ reimbursement list.