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Vertex Opens New Front In Patient Assistance Conflict Between Pharma, HHS Inspector General

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Vertex’s fertility preservation assistance program would provide up to $70,000 in financial support for in vitro fertilization and other services to patients prescribed Casgevy.

Vertex is challenging the HHS Government Watchdog.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is taking pharma’s opposition to the Department of Health and Human Services oversight of patient assistance programs to a new level in a recently-filed lawsuit, seeking to overturn Office of Inspector General opposition to the company’s plan to underwrite a fertility preservation program for patients enrolled in government-sponsored insurance that are treated with its gene therapy Casgevy.

Key Takeaways

  • The Vertex lawsuit challenges the HHS Office of Inspector General position that a fertility preservation program for patients prescribed Casgevy, the company’s gene therapy for sickle cell disease, could violate the Anti-Kickback statute.

The program, which now is only available to those with commercial insurance, could cost up to $70,000 per patient, though...

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