Coverage and Co-pays

Sensipar® has broad coverage and low average co-pays^1-3

100% of Medicare Part D plans cover Sensipar®
100% of commercial plans cover Sensipar®

Based on an analysis of almost 15,000 patients on Sensipar®, 85% of all co-pays were $5.50 or less (dual-eligible patients), 8% of co-pays were between $5.51 and $50, and only 7% were more than $50 (non–dual-eligible patients).

With regard to the 32% of patients taking Sensipar® who are on dialysis and will have commercial coverage, 62% of all commercial co-pays are $24 or less, 85% of all co-pays are less than $50, and only 15% are $50 or more.¹

These data are based on the Wolters Kluwer Dynamic Claims Analyzer, which accesses a database of prescription medicine claim information, including Medicare Part D, from more than 24,000 retail pharmacies.¹

The majority of Sensipar® patients under Medicare Part D qualify for a low-income subsidy (co-pay
≤ $5.50) and will not experience a gap in coverage^1-3

The majority of Sensipar® prescription claims are approved³

For patients who require PA, the criteria are easily obtained and typically include:

Drug name, dose, dosage form, strength, quantity
Length of treatment
Confirmation that patient is on dialysis
Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) lab levels (parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus)
Previous secondary HPT medications (vitamin D, phosphate binders)
Statement that the medication is medically necessary to treat secondary HPT
Physician signature

Read more about:

Improving Care for Patients
Monitoring and Titration Are Key
Patient Support Materials

Important Safety Information

Significant reductions in calcium may lower the threshold for seizures. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) patients, particularly those with a history of seizure disorder, should be carefully monitored for the occurrence of low serum calcium or symptoms of hypocalcemia.

In Sensipar® postmarketing use, isolated, idiosyncratic cases of hypotension, worsening heart failure, and/or arrhythmia were reported in patients with impaired cardiac function. The causal relationship to Sensipar® therapy could not be completely excluded and may be mediated by reductions in serum calcium levels.

Sensipar® lowers serum calcium; therefore, it is important that patients have a serum calcium ≥ 8.4 mg/dL when initiating therapy.

Adynamic bone disease may develop if intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels are suppressed below 100 pg/mL.

Patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment should be monitored throughout treatment with Sensipar®, as cinacalcet exposure assessed by area under the curve (AUC) was higher than in patients with normal hepatic function.

Serum calcium and serum phosphorus should be measured within 1 week and PTH should be measured 1 to 4 weeks after initiation or dose adjustment of Sensipar®. Once the maintenance dose has been established, serum calcium and serum phosphorus should be measured approximately monthly, and PTH every 1 to 3 months.

The most commonly reported side effects were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

References

CMS PlanFinder website, October 2007.
Data on file, Amgen; 2008.
Wolters Kluwer Dynamic Claims Analyzer, 2007.

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