Pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) RxPreferred has unveiled its plan to provide the Humira biosimilar Yusimry through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, an online pharmacy launched by celebrity investor Mark Cuban in 2022.
Commencing in July 2023, RxPreferred aims to offer Yusimry to its members for a price of $569.27, in addition to dispensing and shipping fees. This cost represents a significant 92% discount from the list price of Humira, which was $6,922.62 for a 4-week supply as of January 2023. This move is expected to be a game-changer for patients who previously struggled to afford this vital medication.
“For the last 12 years, RxPreferred has been a catalyst for healthcare transparency, and with strong partnerships, we are constantly evolving to maximize value and lower costs for our plans and members. This development with Cost Plus Drugs is about more than one medication; it represents a shift in healthcare, prioritizing patients and bringing to light many of the misaligned incentives that have negatively impacted our healthcare system for years.”
– Jeff Malone, CEO of RxPreferred
Humira is the most widely used drug in the US and is known for its effectiveness in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. However, it has faced criticism due to its high price, which has been a major barrier for many patients and their health plans. RxPreferred believes that the introduction of Yusimry, developed by Coherus BioSciences, will enhance access to medication for patients who previously could not afford Humira.
Yusimry received FDA approval in 2021 and is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker used to treat various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
“Cost Plus Drugs is saving patients hundreds and thousands of dollars a month by pricing our medications fairly at our cost plus 15%. Adding YUSIMRY, a biosimilar of Humira, to Cost Plus Drugs will extend these savings to biologics. This is just our first step in making biologics affordable for patients.”
– Mark Cuban, Co-Founder of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
The availability of Yusimry at a lower price through RxPreferred and SmithRx is certainly a step for patients, and according to RxPreferred, represents “the next iteration of strategic innovation it provides customers as part of an ever-evolving environment with the goals of sustainable prescription drug spend, improved member access, and transparency for employers and their members”.
