CVS tells HIV activists that pharma company Gilead needs to lower price of PrEP drug if it wants it covered

""We believe that easy access to PrEP medications is critical for Americans who may be exposed to HIV," Gourdine wrote. "Our formularies cover several PrEP options, both injectable and oral. For drugs excluded from our standard formularies, exceptions are available when medically justified.""

""It is clear, Gilead can lower its price in the U.S. for Yeztugo, and we continue to call upon them to do so," the email reads. "It is inappropriate for branded pharmaceutical manufacturers to try to manipulate pre-existing guidelines with clinically similar products that are priced far higher than what's already on the market.""

""In increasingly crowded therapy classes of highly effective options, a generics-first policy remains the best approach for affordability and, by extension, health outcomes," Guardine wrote. "We will continue to urge Gilead to lower the U.S. price for Yeztugo.""

CVS Health's chief medical officer contacted PrEP advocacy groups urging Gilead to reduce the U.S. price of Yeztugo (lenacapavir). CVS declined to add Yeztugo to its standard formularies citing a U.S. price of $28,000 versus generic pricing of $40 in other countries. CVS said its formularies already include several injectable and oral PrEP options and that exceptions are available when medically justified. CVS emphasized a generics-first policy to support affordability and better health outcomes while continuing to cover alternative PrEP therapies. The CDC issued guidance permitting twice-yearly Yeztugo injections.

Read at Advocate.com