Harrow announced a new initiative targeting expanded access and affordability of VEVYE (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.1% for dry eye disease (DED) patients.
The program is dubbed VEVYE Access for All.
First, a refresh on VEVYE.
What it is: A prescription-based, twice-daily (BID)-administered formulation containing proprietary, preservative- and water-free technology properties with a low surface tension and viscosity.
- Its claim to fame: VEVYE’s approval made it the first and only cyclosporine solution indicated to treat DED’s signs and symptoms—with efficacy demonstrated at 4 weeks.
- Specifically: The solution contains a unique combination of 0.1% cyclosporine solute and a pH- and osmolarity-free semifluorinated alkane.”
Its regulatory background: Approved by the FDA in 2023 while under the ownership of Novaliq GmbH, the formulation was acquired by Harrow later that year.
And when was it launched in the US?
January 2024—see here for those details.
Now to this new program.
Now available across the United States through Harrow’s PhilRx, a national mail-order specialty pharmacy partner, VEVYE Access for All is reported to offer four key benefits for eligible DED patients:
- No prior authorization submissions delays
- No-delay prescription processing
- PhilRx expedites prescription fulfillment with free home delivery
- Lower patient costs
- First prescription costs could be as low as $0
- Refills available at $59 per bottle (additional discounts for 3-bottle orders)
- Money-back guarantee
Go on …
We have a few clarifying notes about the “lower patient costs” portion of these benefits:
- Patients with prescriptions covered by commercial insurance could reduce their copayment so they pay as little as $0
- Patients with prescriptions not covered by commercial insurance could use the program to reduce their prescription cost to as low as $59
And in regards to that “money-back guarantee”: Applicable for one refill only, this is reserved for eligible DED patients paying cash and who do not have commercial or government insurance (such as Medicaid or Medicare).
And what’s the intent behind this?
In the words of CEO Mark L. Baum: “This program puts power back where it belongs—in the hands of eyecare professionals (ECPs) and patients.”
- How, you ask? “By simplifying the prescribing and dispensing process and removing access impediments for all patients,” according to Baum.
Nice! So how does it work?
The company shared just two steps for ECPs to follow:
- First: ECPs send patients’ VEVYE prescriptions to PhilRx via their electronic medical records (EHR).
- Then: Once processed, eligible DED patients will receive discounted pricing and benefits through the PhilRx pharmacy.
Important note for the future: Harrow stated it plans to make the program “widely available through all pharmacy networks.”
Any ECP feedback?
Indeed there is. Veteran DED expert Paul Karpecki, OD, director of Cornea and External Disease at the Kentucky Eye Institute, praised the program’s efforts to address “the elephant in the room” of prescription dry eye treatments: “Insurance company tactics that often prevent or delay critical care.”
“VEVYE Access for All is a game‑changer, eliminating these barriers, cutting out‑of‑pocket expenses, and empowering physicians to focus on delivering the best possible care,” he stated in the company’s launch announcement.
- See here for other ECP input.
This sounds promising … but it’s not the first program of its kind for VEVYE, right?
That’s correct! The company already offers the following accessibility options for patients:
- Prescription overage through partnerships with three healthcare technology platforms:
- PhilRx
- Apollo Care
- PARx Solutions
- Direct availability through wholesale distributors such as McKeesson, Cardinal, and Cencora (Amerisource Bergen)
- VEVYE Patient Access Program
- For eligible commercially-insured patients only who receive VEVYE via PhilRx or another participating pharmacy
- 100% Money-Back Guarantee Program
- For patients who pay cash and who do not have commercial or government insurance (Medicare and Medicaid)
See the full rundown of options here.
Lastly, where can I learn more about this program?
Click here to reach out to a VEVYE representative.