Humana extends coverage to Sarepta's muscular dystrophy drug

Louisville, Ky.-based Humana will conditionally cover Sarepta Therapeutics' recently approved Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug.

Patients eligible for coverage include those with a confirmed diagnosis of DMD and the ability to walk without wheelchair assistance. The treatment must also be medically necessary and not used experimentally, according to Humana's policy.

Cambridge, Mass.-based Sarepta gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the drug eteplirsen in September after a months-long review process that sparked a heated internal debate.

Per patient per year, the drug costs about $300,000. Minnetonka, Minn.-based insurer UnitedHealthcare said it will cover the drug, but Indianapolis-based Anthem said it will not cover eteplirsen.  

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