Express Scripts Champions $1 Per Pill Access To Alternative For Daraprim

(RTTNews) - Express Scripts (ESRX) said it would partner with Imprimis Pharmaceuticals (IMMY) to drive access to a low-cost alternative to Daraprim (pyrimethamine), a drug for the treatment of toxoplasmosis that has been recently priced out of reach for people with HIV, pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems.

Imprimis is offering a compounded oral formulation of pyrimethamine and leucovorin for $1 per capsule for people whose pharmacy benefit is managed by Express Scripts.

While the 62-year-old Daraprim was priced $13.50 per pill earlier this year, its owner, Turing Pharmaceuticals, made the decision in September to increase the price to $750 per pill.

The companies expect that prescriptions for the pyrimethamine and leucovorin from Imprimis will be processed starting as early as this week for Express Scripts patients who need the treatment.