Pfizer Inc. announced the introduction of Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) injection, the first available biosimilar to Procrit (epoetin alfa) and Epogen (epoetin alfa) in the U.S, at a substantial discount.
Pfizer began shipment of Retacrit to wholesalers in the U.S. on Nov. 12.
Retacrit will be introduced at a Wholesale Acquisition Cost of $11.03 per 1,000 units/mL, which is 57.1 percent below the WAC of Procrit (epoetin alfa) [$25.72 per 1,000 units/mL] and 33.5 percent below the WAC of Epogen (epoetin alfa) [$16.58 per 1,000 units/mL], its reference product.
WAC is not inclusive of discounts to payers, providers, distributors and other purchasing organizations.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has granted two unique assigned Q codes for Retacrit: Q5105 for End-Stage Renal Disease on dialysis and Q5106 for non-ESRD.
Additionally, Retacrit qualifies for pass-through status under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system.
Retacrit is Pfizer’s third available biosimilar in the U.S. Pfizer also has an extensive biosimilars pipeline, including three biosimilars products currently accepted for review by the FDA. Pfizer has entered into an agreement with Vifor Pharma Inc. for the commercialization of Retacrit in certain channels.
Last week’s issue of The Cancer Letter was dominated by one event: the meeting of the National Cancer Advisory Board, the group of experts which advises and assists the NCI director on the activities of the National Cancer Program.
