Express Scripts Rewards Low List-Priced Brands In 2019 Formulary, Retains Focus On Rebates

Mylan’s Symfi and Merck’s Zepatier gain preferred status on PBM's national preferred formulary for 2019. But more drugs are excluded from coverage – 242, up from 196 in 2018.

Express Scripts HQ

Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts Holding Co. rewarded two low-priced single source drugs in high-cost categories with preferred status in its 2019 national preferred formulary – Mylan NV’s combination pills for HIV, Symfi and Symfi Lo, and Merck & Co. Inc.’s Zepatier for hepatitis C.

Express Scripts’ national preferred formulary is an option for payer clients and currently covers more than 25m Americans, giving the PBM’s coverage policies significant clout in the employer-sponsored insurance market....

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