Vivus Announces Partnership with HarborPath to Make Pancreaze Available to Uninsured Patients

Vivus recently announced a partnership with HarborPath Direct to facilitate access to Pancreaze (pancrelipase) for eligible patients who do not have health insurance or are underinsured.

The treatment will be available through the Pancreaze Advantage Program, which is integrated with HarborPath’s patient assistance program. Patients can access the web page and register to see if they are eligible.

Cystic fibrosis often affects the pancreas, leading to a decrease in the production of pancreatic enzymes, which in turn leads to poor digestion.

Pancrease is an oral prescription medication consisting of a lab-made pancreatic enzyme, which replaces the enzymes lost due to cystic fibrosis and helps improve digestion, and the absorption of nutrients and fats, proteins, and sugars.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 87% of cystic fibrosis patients currently take enzyme supplements to improve digestion.

“Following the launch of Pancreaze under the Vivus brand in the first quarter of 2019, we are now working to ensure access to this important therapy for as many eligible patients as possible, regardless of their health insurance status,” John Amos, CEO at Vivus, said in a press release.

The Pancreaze Advantage Program is a component of the Vivus Health Platform. The company is developing this platform to facilitate communication between healthcare professionals, health insurers, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and patients in order to provide them with appropriate treatments.

Currently, the platform includes a physician sampling program and a patient assistance program.

“HarborPath Direct’s focus on leveraging technology and innovative approaches to maximize program benefits is very well aligned with our plans for the Vivus Health Platform and the Pancreaze Advantage Program. We believe that HarborPath Direct is a critical partner in helping Vivus to meet its goal of making the Pancreaze Advantage Program the most user-friendly and efficient patient support program in the United States,” Amos said.

Trond Waerness, VP of strategy at HarborPath Direct, added: “We are committed to innovating [patient assistance programs] that truly address the critical and growing needs of uninsured and underinsured patients. We welcome the opportunity to work with Vivus, a company that shares our commitment to taking innovative approaches to improve patient access to important therapies.”