UnitedHealth to Remove AbbVie's Humira from Reimbursement Lists in 2024, Introduce Biosimilars via OptumRx

Sep 10, 2024, 04:30 PM

UnitedHealth Group Inc. announced that it will remove AbbVie Inc.'s Humira from some U.S. drug reimbursement lists starting next year. This decision is part of UnitedHealth's broader strategy to introduce its own private label biosimilars through its OptumRx pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). The new biosimilars include Wezlana, a Stelara biosimilar, and a low-list-price version of Humira, known as Amjevita, developed in collaboration with Amgen, under its new Nuvaila business. These biosimilars will be offered at both high- and low-list prices. The move is expected to impact AbbVie's market share and could be a factor in the recent decline of UnitedHealth's stock price.