annual cost of $12,850
Acorda Therapeutics Announces Pricing and Patient Assistance Programs for AMPYRA(TM) (dalfampridine)
Last update: 2/3/2010 6:00:03 AM
AMPYRA Wholesale Acquisition Price Set at $1,056 per 30-Day Supply
HAWTHORNE, N.Y., Feb 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Patient Assistance Program Launched for Uninsured and Underinsured To Provide AMPYRA at No Cost
--Co-Pay Program Implemented To Help Manage Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR) today announced the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for AMPYRA(TM) (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets will be $1,056 per 30-day supply (60-count pill bottle), an annual cost of $12,850. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is expected to be available in March 2010.
Acorda is launching a comprehensive set of services to ensure broad access to AMPYRA for people with MS, including patient assistance and co-pay programs that will be open as soon as AMPYRA is commercially available.
"AMPYRA is the first medication indicated to improve walking in people with MS, one of the most debilitating challenges associated with the disease. Acorda's goal is to ensure that cost is not a barrier to any person with MS who may benefit from this important medication, regardless of their level of income or healthcare coverage," said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. "To that end, our assistance programs account for people who are unable to afford their medications but whose income or healthcare coverage often exclude them from other patient assistance programs. And regardless of income, people with private insurance can benefit from our co-pay program, wherever allowed by law."
AMPYRA Patient Support Services
Acorda has established AMPYRA Patient Support Services, a dedicated resource for healthcare professionals and people with MS. Experienced customer care agents will be available to help healthcare professionals process prescriptions, work with insurance carriers to facilitate coverage, and direct patients to available assistance programs.
The AMPYRA patient assistance program is being managed by a third party organization with extensive experience in coordinating patient benefits. Patients who meet income and other requirements, regardless of their insurance status, may receive AMPRYA at no cost. This may include Individuals who have limited healthcare coverage.
Acorda has also put a program in place to help individuals with private insurance manage their co-payment costs, where allowed by law.
Healthcare professionals and people with MS can contact AMPYRA Patient Support Services at 888-881-1918 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time for more information about AMPYRA, and to learn more about the patient assistance and co-pay mitigation programs.
Important Safety Information
AMPYRA can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing AMPYRA doses. AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. Discontinue AMPYRA use if seizure occurs.
AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (CrClless-than or equal to 50 mL/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 51--80 mL/min) is unknown, but AMPYRA plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated CrCl should be known before initiating treatment with AMPYRA.
AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.
Urinary tract infections were reported more frequently as adverse reactions in patients receiving AMPYRA 10 mg twice daily compared to placebo
The most common adverse events (incidence greater-than or equal to 2% and at a rate greater than the placebo rate) for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, asthenia, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, paresthesia, nasopharyngitis, constipation, dyspepsia, and pharyngolaryngeal pain.
For full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, please visit: .
About AMPYRA (dalfampridine)
AMPYRA is a potassium channel blocker approved as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA, which was previously referred to as Fampridine-SR, is an extended release tablet formulation of dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine, 4-AP), which was previously called fampridine. In laboratory studies, dalfampridine has been found to improve impulse conduction in nerve fibers in which the insulating layer, called myelin, has been damaged. AMPYRA is being developed and commercialized in the United States by Acorda Therapeutics, and by Biogen Idec in markets outside the U.S. based on a licensing agreement with Acorda. AMPYRA is manufactured globally by Elan based on a supply agreement with Acorda.
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So over the $5-10k per year guideline. This is expected as companies are trying to avoid looking like they will come with a "high" price before FDA action, etc. |
