Novartis To Payers: Entresto Works Or You Get A Discount

Performance-based reimbursement agreements with US payers, like the deals that Novartis AG recently struck with Cigna Corp. and Aetna Inc. for the heart failure drug Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan), are rare, but Novartis US Head Christi Shaw said she's hopeful that the concept will catch on.

If Entresto reduces the number of heart failure patients who require hospital stays, then Cigna and Aetna will pay a...