AMPYRA for MS: Acorda Therapeutics announces wholesale pricing and patient assistance program

Feb 3 2010

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets will be $1,056 per 30-day supply (60-count pill bottle), an annual cost of $12,850. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is expected to be available in March 2010.

“To that end, our assistance programs account for people who are unable to afford their medications but whose income or healthcare coverage often exclude them from other patient assistance programs. And regardless of income, people with private insurance can benefit from our co-pay program, wherever allowed by law.”

Acorda is launching a comprehensive set of services to ensure broad access to AMPYRA for people with MS, including patient assistance and co-pay programs that will be open as soon as AMPYRA is commercially available.

“AMPYRA is the first medication indicated to improve walking in people with MS, one of the most debilitating challenges associated with the disease. Acorda’s goal is to ensure that cost is not a barrier to any person with MS who may benefit from this important medication, regardless of their level of income or healthcare coverage,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “To that end, our assistance programs account for people who are unable to afford their medications but whose income or healthcare coverage often exclude them from other patient assistance programs. And regardless of income, people with private insurance can benefit from our co-pay program, wherever allowed by law.”

AMPYRA Patient Support Services

Acorda has established AMPYRA Patient Support Services, a dedicated resource for healthcare professionals and people with MS. Experienced customer care agents will be available to help healthcare professionals process prescriptions, work with insurance carriers to facilitate coverage, and direct patients to available assistance programs.

The AMPYRA patient assistance program is being managed by a third party organization with extensive experience in coordinating patient benefits. Patients who meet income and other requirements, regardless of their insurance status, may receive AMPRYA at no cost. This may include Individuals who have limited healthcare coverage.

Acorda has also put a program in place to help individuals with private insurance manage their co-payment costs, where allowed by law.

Healthcare professionals and people with MS can contact AMPYRA Patient Support Services at 888-881-1918 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time for more information about AMPYRA, and to learn more about the patient assistance and co-pay mitigation programs.