News Briefs: CarelonRx Launches New Specialty Offering

CarelonRx, the PBM arm of Elevance Health, Inc., has a new “comprehensive approach to specialty medication savings across pharmacy and medical benefits,” according to an April 22 press release. The new product will use “advanced analytics” to “identify members whose health is at the greatest risk,” which will prompt “a thorough review of a member’s clinical diagnoses, medications, whole-health integrated support, and a review of their site of care options.” At that point, identified members will receive “proactive pharmacist-led outreach to address any barriers to care, and to further coordinate integrated care with their whole health team, including medical and behavioral health professionals.” Elevance recently announced a pending deal to acquire Kroger Inc.’s specialty pharmacy division as it grows its Carelon health services division.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on April 24 that he has launched an investigation into the “outrageously high prices” that Novo Nordisk is charging for its popular treatments for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes, Wegovy and Ozempic. In a letter to the Danish drugmaker’s CEO, Sanders — who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee — noted that the list prices for Wegovy and Ozempic ($1,349 and $969 per month, respectively) are far higher than what the drugs can be purchased for in countries like Canada and Germany. In his letter, Sanders requested information about how Novo Nordisk determined the prices for Ozempic and Wegovy, what it spent on research and development, and more.