Accredo giving us the run around, wouldn't fill prescription. Said we'd missed the "one day prior authorization cut off" ???
After spending all morning on the phone with insurance, neuro and the pharmacy----I think I know what's going on.
Teva does not want to lose business with all the new generics.
The stand to lose a half billion dollars.
http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/teva- ... z2udxsyR8xGeneric competition for its top-selling Copaxone drug will hit Teva Pharmaceutical Industries ($TEVA) hard. Now, we know just how hard--at least according to Teva itself. The company expects sales and operating profits to come in $550 million lighter next year if copies of the multiple sclerosis treatment make it to market.
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So, what does Teva do to keep business? They create a "new" product they can patent--and push.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1657223a-0f24 ... z2udzSSIakTeva can now market Copaxone for use as a 40-milligram shot three times a week, the Petach Tikva, Israel-based company said yesterday in a statement. Teva sells a 20-milligram daily injection, which last year generated $4.2 billion in sales, based on analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1657223a-0f24 ... z2udzB2SCl“I don’t think these [patents] will affect the generic launch for the 20mg injection, but if the new dosing regimen is approved and is significantly superior, Teva will be better able to preserve its Copaxone franchise,” Gould noted. The patents for the new dosing regimen will not expire until 11 February 2030, plus there would likely be six months of pediatric exclusivity after that date, he added.
They make it difficult for current patients to stay on the 20mg. dosage....like what happened to us this week. I explained it to my insurer--and told them to be on the look out for this activity.
It's all about market share.
cheer