The PCSK9 inhibitor will cost approximately 60% less vs. the current U.S. list price.

Amgen announced the launch of its direct-to-patient program providing eligible patients discounted pricing for evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor.

Evolucumab (Repatha) will be available through the new program (AmgenNow) at a monthly price of $239, approximately 60% lower than the current U.S. list price, according to a company press release.

The program is open to all evolocumab-eligible patients, including people who are uninsured, have in high-deductible health plans, prefer to pay cash or out of pocket and those on Medicare or Medicaid. Patients who receive evolocumab via the program are not subject to insurer requirements for step therapy or prior authorization, according to the release.

The company plans to make the program accessible via the TrumpRx website, according to the release.

The announcement was preceded by the release of the topline results of the phase 3 VESALIUS-CV trial of evolocumab for patients people with no history of heart attack or stroke already taking a statin or other LDL-lowering therapy.

As Healio previously reported, evolocumab reduced risk for major adverse CV events in people with dyslipidemia (LDL at least 90 mg/dL, non-HDL at least 120 mg/dL or apolipoprotein B at least 80 mg/dL) and no history of heart attack or stroke already on optimal lipid-lowering therapy.

"Repatha has already helped more than 5 million patients, and the AmgenNow program will make it easier for uninsured patients or those who choose to pay out-of-pocket to access treatment. This will allow even more Americans at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events to benefit from this effective medicine," Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of global commercial operations at Amgen, said in the release.