Vertex newly approved pain treatment in Unitedhealth’s Optum RX formula room with higher cost 3 placement – vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX)

In January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. VRTX JORNAVX, a non-opia-based oral pain signal inhibitor, can resist acute pain.

This marks the first approval of a new painkiller in more than 20 years, providing an alternative to traditional opioid treatments.

According to a formula update released in February, Journavx has been placed on the 3rd floor of Optum RX Premium and Septial Groumaries and is further evaluated by the Optum RX National Pharmacy & Therapeutics Clinical Value and Safety Committee. Many grade 3 drugs have lower cost options in grade 1 or 2.

optum rx, is a pharmacy welfare manager UnitedHealth Group Inc Unh

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According to Bloomberg, temporary decisions ensure that the drug is covered, but patients may pay more because it is not in the lower cost tier and often includes generic or preferred brand drugs. This works with premium and selected recipes for Optum RX.

“With increasing concern about opioid use disorders, new non-opia alternatives, such as Journavx, offer additional options for treatment,” the document said.

Bloomberg reported that the Bloomberg report pointed out that less favorable formulation placement may make it more difficult for some patients to obtain medication. The report also notes that Vertex will face a challenge: convince insurance companies to cover their drugs at a much higher cost than opioids. Wholesale prices are twice a day for every 50 mg tablet.

Meanwhile, the UK Drug and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Vertex’s Alyftrek (deutivacaftor/tezacaftor/vanzacaftor) The next class of triple combination therapy for patients with cystic fibrosis once a day, at least 6 years old F508del Mutation or another reactive mutation CFTR Gene.

In February, Vertex Pharmaceuticals reported earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $3.50, a consensus of $3.57 was missing.

Sales reached $2.91 billion, up 16% year-on-year, surpassing the consensus of $2.78 billion. Annual sales reached US$11.22 billion.

Vertex expects sales of $11.75 billion to $12 billion in 2025, while the consensus is $11.84 billion.

Price action: VRTX stock rose 0.32%, up $487.26 on its previous check on Friday.

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