Valeant to Cover Philidor Prescription Costs After Severing Ties

Valeant is offering patients access to its dermatology products for zero dollar copay under a program through major pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies.

The program is intended to reassure physicians about access to the company’s drugs after it severed ties with specialty pharmacy Philidor Rx Services.

CEO J. Michael Pearson told doctors in a letter issued last week that all prescriptions submitted to Philidor before Nov. 8 will be filled wherever possible at no cost to patients. Patients with government insurance are not eligible for the interim program, according to the letter.

Valeant announced its decision to terminate its relationship with Philidor — which handled most prescriptions for the company’s medications — after the specialty pharmacy was accused of altering doctors’ prescriptions to acquire extra reimbursements from insurance companies. In addition, the embattled specialty pharmacy confirmed last week that it was shutting down its operation.

Philidor said in a statement that it is working cooperatively with Valeant over the next 30 to 90 days to proactively assist patients in transferring their prescriptions to other pharmacies.

Read Valeant’s letter here: www.fdanews.com/11-03-15-ValeantLetter.pdf.