TLDR
- Amgen slashes Repatha price 60% and launches AmgenNow direct sales portal.
- Amgen’s bold Repatha discount reshapes U.S. drug pricing, investors react.
- Repatha price cut, AmgenNow debut mark major shift in pharma sales model
- Amgen drops Repatha to $239/month, bypassing insurers with AmgenNow.
- Drug giant Amgen tackles pricing pressure with discount and direct sales.
Amgen Inc. witnessed a sharp decline in early Monday trading, with its stock falling by 1.33% to $293.92.
This movement followed a bold pricing strategy involving its cholesterol drug Repatha, now offered at a 60% discount. The company simultaneously launched AmgenNow, a direct-to-consumer online sales portal, reflecting strategic adaptation to political pricing pressures.
The pricing update marked a significant milestone in U.S. drug market dynamics, aiming to expand affordability. The initial market reaction reflected investor uncertainty surrounding short-term revenue implications. While the new $239 monthly price boosts access, it could compress margins in the short term, triggering the stock drop.
Analysts expect this move to reshape U.S. pharmaceutical pricing structures, especially for high-cost specialty drugs. The portal bypasses traditional pharmacy benefit managers and insurer negotiations. Thus, Amgen positions itself to establish a direct relationship with patients, particularly those without insurance.
Repatha Discount Aligns with Global Price Pressures
Repatha’s new U.S. price of $239 per month matches its lowest price across developed countries. Amgen previously sold the PCSK9 inhibitor at $6,876 annually, down from $14,100 in 2015. This 60% reduction sets the yearly out-of-pocket cost at $2,868.
This pricing shift aligns with the Trump administration’s push for “most-favored-nation” drug pricing. Amgen was one of 17 companies that received a presidential directive demanding global price parity. The company responded by launching AmgenNow and reducing Repatha’s price to its international floor.
This change opens access to more U.S. patients who lack insurance or prefer to pay cash. The online platform does not process insurance, and users are exempt from prior authorization hurdles. This streamlining enhances patient autonomy while fulfilling regulatory demands for transparency and affordability.
AmgenNow Platform Bypasses Traditional Gatekeepers
The AmgenNow platform enables eligible U.S. patients to order Repatha directly without insurance interference. Amgen confirmed the program targets cash-paying customers who often face coverage barriers. This approach eliminates the need for step therapy or physician authorization.
While few Americans pay cash for prescriptions, the platform fills a gap for the uninsured or those with high-deductible plans. Amgen emphasized this model would remove delays and simplify access to treatment. This method also reduces reliance on complex rebate systems that dominate traditional pharmaceutical pricing.
Amgen collaborated with GoodRx to offer Repatha at $239 through 70,000 participating U.S. pharmacies. This expands access beyond the direct sales channel and supports broader reach. Amgen intends to add more drugs to AmgenNow, further disrupting conventional distribution models.
