As the pharmaceutical landscape evolves, staying informed about pricing changes is crucial for both pharmacies and patients. Two significant announcements recently highlighted upcoming adjustments that will impact inventory management and patient costs. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of these updates and their implications.

Merck’s WAC Reductions for Januvia, Janumet, and Janumet XR

Merck has announced plans to reduce the Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) of Januvia, Janumet, and Janumet XR by up to 40% starting January 1, 2025. While this is a positive development for patients, it presents challenges for pharmacies managing their inventory.

Key Considerations for Pharmacies:
    1. Inventory Value Decline: Any inventory of these products on your shelves as of December 31, 2024, will lose up to 40% of its value overnight. This represents a significant financial risk.

      • Action: Return any excess inventory immediately to avoid financial losses.

    2. Adopt “On-Demand Inventory” Practices:

      • Only order these products when you have an adjudicated claim to fulfill.

      • Encourage patients to call at least two days in advance for refills to facilitate efficient ordering.

    3. Wholesaler Return Policies:

      • Cardinal Health will not accept returns for these products after December 1, 2024.

      • McKesson typically allows returns up to 30 days before WAC reductions, aligning with the December 1 cutoff.

      • Stay updated on communications from your wholesaler to ensure compliance and minimize losses.

Additional Insights:

Interested in savings on prescription medications? RxPost can help you buy or sell excess drug inventory to improve your profits and offer better patient service. Learn more about RxPost here.