CVS To Return Vemlidy To List of Covered Prescriptions

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Our Voices Made a Difference: CVS Caremark to Cover Vemlidy Prescriptions

The Hepatitis B Foundation, along with our network of patients, providers and partners, has successfully advocated for improved access to the hepatitis B medication Vemlidy in the US. Recently, the Hepatitis B Foundation learned that CVS Caremark, one of the nation's leading pharmacy benefit management companies, providing comprehensive prescription benefit management services to over 2,000 health plans, stopped providing coverage for Vemlidy as of July 1, 2019. This decision impacted thousands of Americans who rely on this life-saving drug to manage their hepatitis B.

HBF worked with our Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, our coalition partners, providers and patients across the United States to put pressure on CVS Caremark to reverse their decision, and return Vemlidy to their list of covered prescriptions. We organized a grassroots advocacy effort, sending over 20 letters from partner organizations, and 250 individuals signed a petition encouraging CVS Caremark to provide coverage for this essential medication.

As a result, CVS Caremark announced this week that they will resume coverage of Vemlidy for their plan members as early as October 2019! Thank you to everyone who helped us to advocate for this important change. HBF firmly believes that all FDA-approved medications should be available for doctors to prescribe to their patients, and this change will ensure that those on CVS Caremark plans have access to this life-saving drug.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, wrote a letter, or simply shared the information. Because of you, those who rely on Vemlidy now have one less barrier to accessing their needed treatment!