Avastin v. Lucentis: An Early Test Case For Medicare ACOs
Executive Summary
Medicare costs for covering Genentech's Lucentis for wet age-related macular degeneration will get heightened scrutiny now that a widely anticipated National Institutes of Health trial has confirmed that much-less-expensive treatment with the company's Avastin is as effective. Based on 2008 claims data, Medicare is spending about $500 million more on Lucentis than Avastin for treatment of wet AMD.
You may also be interested in...
Finally A FIBCO, Regeneron Sets Its Sights On Eylea And Beyond
The better-than-expected performance of Regeneron’s first significant commercial drug, Eylea, has fueled the company’s ambitions to build a sustainable, risk-adjusted portfolio based on a mix of best-in-class and first-in-class new drugs. Getting to this point took a mixture of perseverance, astute science, opportunism, and savvy partnering.
Market & Industry Briefs
Brief summaries of recent medtech market and industry developments. This month we cover new clinical data on TAVI, declining CABG rates in US hospitals, and results from the CATT study comparing Lucentis and Avastin.
Medicare ACO Plan Could Improve Rx Compliance But Lacks Guidance On Drug Management Policies
Medicare-sanctioned accountable care organizations could significantly improve drug adherence among beneficiaries as a way to prevent more costly medical interventions later, under a widely-anticipated CMS proposal.