Express Scripts Oks coverage for migraine drugs by Amgen and Lilly — but not Teva

One of the largest prescription benefit managers has decided into include coverage for the recently approved migraine medications developed by Amgen and Eli Lilly. 

But the group declined to also include a similar drug made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. The move is a blow to Teva, which is hoping that sales for its migraine med, Ajovy, will help the company rebound from the corporate restructuring and layoffs it began last year. 

Like Amgen’s Aimovig and Lilly’s Emgality, Ajovy works by blocking CGRP antibodies to prevent migraines. All three medications received positive trial results compared to existing treatments. And with 39 million Americans struggling with migraines, all three are expected to have high sales in the market.

PBMs like Express Scripts have been using their negotiating power to leverage lower prices for drugs, and according to an analyst quoted in Reuters, the decision to exclude Ajovy could have to do with the other companies providing better discounts and rebates.

Read the full Reuters report.    

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