Amgen makes Repatha available through AmgenNow, a direct-to-patient programme in the US

Amgen announced the launch of AmgenNow, a new direct-to-patient programme starting with Repatha (evolocumab). This follows landmark results demonstrating Repatha significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in individuals without a prior history of heart attack or stroke in the VESALIUS-CV phase 3 trial.

In support of the Trump Administration's efforts to lower drug prices for Americans, Repatha will be available through AmgenNow at a monthly price of $239, nearly 60% lower than the current US list price. The program is open to all patients, including those who are uninsured or in high-deductible health plans or prefer to pay with cash or out of pocket. The new direct-to-patient price is the lowest among the economically developed (G-7) countries and is being offered exclusively for the first time to US patients.  

"Amgen is committed to finding new ways to help patients benefit from our medicines," said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of global commercial operations at Amgen. "Repatha has already helped more than 5 million patients, and the AmgenNow programme will make it easier for uninsured patients or those who choose to pay out-of-pocket to access treatment. This will allow even more Americans at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events to benefit from this effective medicine." 

Beginning on 6th October, AmgenNow will be available to all Repatha patients, including those who participate in government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Patients who use this program are not subject to insurer requirements for step therapy or prior authorization. The company also plans to make AmgenNow accessible via the TrumpRx website.

Repatha is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Repatha binds to PCSK9 and inhibits circulating PCSK9 from binding to the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR), preventing PCSK9-mediated LDLR degradation and permitting LDLR to recycle back to the liver cell surface. By inhibiting the binding of PCSK9 to LDLR, Repatha increases the number of LDLRs available to clear LDL from the blood, thereby lowering LDL-C levels. The clinical benefits and safety of Repatha have been studied for 15 years in 50 clinical trials with over 57,000 patients.

Repatha is approved in more than 74 countries, including the US, Japan, Canada and in all 28 countries that are members of the European Union. Applications in other countries are pending.

Repatha is a PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitor indicated:

• To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, or coronary revascularization) in adults at increased risk for these events.
• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in:
• adults with hypercholesterolemia.
• adults and paediatric patients aged 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
• adults and paediatric patients aged 10 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).