CMS OKs pegaptanib reimbursement rate

Washington, DC-The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that as of Jan. 1, 2005, the Medicare Part B allowable for pegaptanib sodium (Macugen, Eyetech Pharmaceuticals) is 106% of average sales price (ASP), or $1,054.70 per injection. The drug was approved by the FDA in December for use in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Eyetech and Pfizer launched pegaptanib sodium on Jan. 20, 2005.

For more information, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/drugs/asp.asp and download the document called Jan 2005 ASP Pricing File and ASP NOC Pricing File.