Express Scripts Drive Access to $1 Alternative to Turing's Daraprim

Express Scripts has announced it will partner with Imprimis Pharmaceuticals (San Diego, CA) 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 (a form of folic acid) 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.

Working with leading organizations like Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), Express Scripts will help educate physicians on the value of prescribing this viable, far less expensive alternative to Daraprim.

Mark L. Baum, CEO of Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, commented: "We are pleased to partner with Express Scripts to take positive action to counterbalance companies like Turing and others in order to address the growing drug pricing crisis in America."