GSK's Once-Daily Inhalers For Smoker's Lung Has Potential Benefits: Independent Organization Report

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) released a report on Monday assessing the clinical effectiveness and value of GSK Plc's GSK chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments, Trelegy Ellipta and Breo Ellipta.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, CMS is negotiating prices for select Medicare Part D drugs. In the current cycle, Trelegy Ellipta and Breo Ellipta are among the medications under review, alongside 15 other drugs slated for pricing changes in 2027.

The findings will be submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of ongoing Medicare drug price negotiations.

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ICER President and CEO Sarah K. Emond emphasized the significance of the report, highlighting that over 15 million Americans suffer from COPD.

Both inhalers provide the advantage of once-daily dosing, a key difference from their comparators, which typically require multiple inhalers used twice daily.

Observational data suggest that patients are more likely to adhere to once-daily therapies, potentially reducing COPD exacerbations, although the certainty of this outcome remains moderate.

Patient feedback also indicated a preference for single-inhaler, once-daily treatments. No major differences in adverse effects were observed between these inhalers and their alternatives.

Trelegy Ellipta, a triple-therapy inhaler containing an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), was found to offer comparable or incremental net health benefits compared to generic triple therapies that require multiple inhalers.

Breo Ellipta, a dual-therapy inhaler combining an ICS and LABA, was similarly found to provide comparable or incremental net health benefits when compared to generic ICS/LABA inhalers.

ICER's report also analyzed cost-effectiveness, framing pricing calculations based on comparator therapies, including low-cost, authorized, and discounted brand-name drugs.

The report provides estimated price thresholds that CMS should consider in negotiations, though the actual prices paid by CMS for comparator drugs remain undisclosed.

Price Action: GSK stock is up 2.55% at $38.92 at the last check Tuesday.

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