Amgen Announces Significant Repatha List Price Reduction

Amgen has announced that it will reduce the price of its cholesterol drug evolocumab (Repatha) by 60%, from its annual list price of $14,100, according to a company press release.

Once the price cut is implemented, Amgen will make evolocumab available at a reduced list price of $5850 by introducing new National Drug Codes.

In a statement, Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of Global Commercial Operations at Amgen, called it a “unique solution for a unique situation.”

Evolocumab, which is a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, was approved in 2015 by the FDA as an adjunct to diet and other low-density lipoprotein- (LDL) lowering therapies, such as statins, in patients with primary hyperlipidemia and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, who require additional lowering of LDL cholesterol. Evolocumab is also indicated for adults with established cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary revascularization.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and remains a significant public health issue. Approximately 630,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, according to the CDC.2 PCSK9 inhibitors offer an effective option to help patients reduce their risk of serious cardiovascular events, providing potentially life-saving benefits. However, the high cost of these medications result in barriers to access.

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