Egrifta Patient Support Information Now Available

In a letter to community advocates late last week, EMD Serono released details about their patient support, patient assistance, and drug co-pay programs for Egrifta (tesamorelin). Egrifta is an injectable medication used in the treatment of lipohypertrophy, or excess abdominal fat, in HIV and is the first ever FDA-approved drug for lipodystrophy.

Details of the various programs follow; for more information talk to your doctor or visit www.egrifta.com.

The AXIS Center

The AXIS Center offers dedicated reimbursement, teaching, and adherence support for patients on Egrifta. With a team of dedicated Reimbursement Case Managers, the AXIS Center assists patients throughout the process of getting access to and staying on Egrifta.

The AXIS Center offers in-home or in-office injection training to every new patient through a national network of Injection Trainers. Every new patient also receives an Education Kit that provides video and print administration guides along with other useful tools. Support continues throughout treatment, with product support specialists available 24 hours-a-day/7 days-a-week to answer patients’ questions about mixing and injecting Egrifta.

To start the process, licensed healthcare providers must fax a Statement of Medical Necessity (SMN) (i.e., prescription), signed by the healthcare provider, and Patient Authorization, signed by the patient, to the AXIS Center at 866-823-9554. SMNs will be provided by the EMD Serono sales team or can be requested by calling the AXIS Center at 877-714-AXIS (2947).

Co-Pay Assistance Program

For commercially insured patients with a prescription drug benefit that covers Egrifta, the Co-pay Assistance Program covers up to $2,400 of patients’ out of pocket cost over a 12-month period. Patients must use the card for the first time in 2011 and can off-set up to $200 of their co-pay or co-insurance for up to 12 uses prior to 12/31/12, not more than once every 21 days. Patients may not use the Co-pay Assistance Program if they receive drug benefits from state or federal health care initiatives (including Medicare or Medicaid). This program is not valid in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

The PAP program provides free Egrifta for eligible patients who are uninsured or under-insured. Patients must meet other eligibility requirements, including a household income that does not exceed 600% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Patients must also have a diagnosis of the indicated condition and be a resident of the United States. The Egrifta PAP program provides free drug for one year and patients will need to reapply if they seek to continue receiving Egrifta. The Egrifta PAP program is coordinated by the AXIS Center at 877-714-AXIS (2947).