Express Scripts Says Novo Insulin Data Not Convincing Enough
- Novo seeking preferred status for Tresiba on formulary
- Eli Lilly's forthcoming cheaper copy of Lantus looms large
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The studies Novo Nordisk A/S conducted to win better coverage for its newest insulin Tresiba aren’t convincing enough to sway Express Scripts Holding Co., the largest U.S. manager of prescription-drug benefits.
Express Scripts designates Tresiba as a “non-preferred” option available on a higher co-payment tier than Sanofi’s best-seller Lantus and other insulins. It won’t be easy for Novo to improve that positioning, even though two studies have shown its long-acting insulin shot works better than Lantus in reducing the number of dangerous episodes of low blood sugar known as hypoglycemia.