For millions of Americans, accessing the medications they need at prices they can afford has gotten increasingly difficult. Affordability is the cornerstone that enables access, adherence, and ultimately healthier lives.
In 2023, there were more than 39,000 new HIV cases diagnosed, according to the most recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic men. Easy access to PrEP medications is critical for Americans who may be exposed to HIV.
Yeztugo (lenacapavir) is a prescription, long-acting injectable medication used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV infections in adults and adolescents at risk. Yeztugo represents a significant advancement in HIV prevention, offering nearly total protection with a twice-yearly injection. Unfortunately, the list price for Yeztugo (the wholesale cost set by a drug manufacturer) is $28,000 for an annual course of treatment – a price that puts access to this groundbreaking medicine out of reach for most who need it.
This high price is why it was not initially included on our formulary. As a pharmacy benefit manager, CVS Caremark is hired by businesses, big and small, health plans, unions, and government entities to negotiate down the cost of drugs in their benefits plans. And that’s exactly what we did with Yeztugo. Our negotiations led to an agreement with the manufacturer that provides our customers some financial relief for Yeztugo.
There are several highly effective pills and injections for PrEP – daily pills taken orally as well as another injectable medication given every two months. All these methods, when taken as directed, are effective at preventing HIV transmission.
The core benefit of Yeztugo is that it is administered every six months, compared to other effective products that are administered more frequently. The long-acting injection significantly reduces the burden of daily or bi-monthly medication adherence. This is especially important for patients who may have difficulty taking a daily pill.
Improving PrEP adherence is integral to reducing HIV incidence in the United States. Affordability remains a significant barrier—people can’t take their medication if they can’t afford it. Our ability to continue working to further lower the cost of this drug will directly impact patient care.
Every patient is unique. By offering more treatment options, we’re giving patients more choices in their care. CVS Caremark will continue doing its job: advocating for consumers and leveraging our size and scale to help get better prices for lifechanging drugs.
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