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The Trouble With Female Libido Pill Is a Symptom of Valeant Woes

  • Patient says drugstore charged her $1,200 for a month's supply
  • Insurers typically don't include it in standard plans
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Female Libido Pill Gives Valeant a Headache

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Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.’s struggles to ramp up sales of its new female libido pill offer a window into the drugmaker’s woes.

The mail-order pharmacy that could have helped distribute the drug is now out of the picture following a scandal that forced Valeant to sever the relationship in October. Insurers are denying or limiting coverage for the daily pill, called Addyi, and large pharmaceuticals benefit managers are blocking it. The result: Many prescriptions written by doctors aren’t getting filled.