Optum Rx will add two more Humira biosimilars to its formulary later this summer.
The pharmacy benefit manager—one of the three largest in the market—will place Boehringer Ingelheim's Cyltezo and Sandoz's Hyrimoz on its formulary at parity with Humira starting July 1. Optum added Amgen's Amjevita to its formulary at parity with Humira earlier this year.
Humira, manufactured by AbbVie, is an injectable treatment for a range of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and others. It's a high source of cost, and PBMs have had high hopes that biosimilars coming to market could be critical in addressing those expenses.
“As an industry leader driving competition and biosimilar access, we are bringing unprecedented choice and value in this highly utilized but historically very expensive drug class,” said Heather Cianfrocco, CEO of Optum Rx, in the release.
“PBMs have a responsibility to leverage competition to lower cost and create choice," Cianfrocco added. "Access to new biosimilars and their available list price options provides physicians, clients and patients with affordable treatment options.”
Optum Rx was the first PBM to add a Humira biosimilar to its formulary earlier this year. It said that it will continue to review new entrants in the class for its formulary and that its pharmacists are ready to support patients with questions about their options.
Rival Express Scripts also placed Humira biosimilars on the formulary as preferred products.