New CF Treatment Trikafta Now Available Through AllianceRx Walgreens Prime

Trikafta, a recently approved treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF), is now available through the U.S. home delivery and specialty pharmacy AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, as part of its limited distribution therapeutic offerings.

Trikafta is a next-generation combination of three CF medications: elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor. Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the therapy was approved last October by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat CF patients 12 years and older who have at least one F508del mutation in the CFTR gene, the most common CF-causing genetic defect. About 90% of the CF patients have this mutation.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this new therapy,” Tracey James, AllianceRx Walgreens Prime’s senior vice president of pharmacy services, said in a press release. “Many patients living with CF previously had no approved therapeutic options to treat the underlying cause of this disease. Having access to this medicine means more of our patients will have a better quality of life.”

Trikafta is available through a limited network of specialty pharmacies and distributors, now including AllianceRx Walgreens Prime. Formed in 2017, the Orlando, Florida-based company is a collaboration between Walgreens (one of the nation’s largest drug store chains) and pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics.

“Having manufacturers select AllianceRx Walgreens Prime as their limited distribution drug partner means they realize we’re committed to helping our patients, families, communities and providers,” James said. “Manufacturers know they can trust us to help our patients throughout their healthcare journey.”

Trikafta is considered a CFTR modulator, as it helps the defective CFTR protein (produced from a mutated CFTR gene) to work more effectively. Its FDA approval, which came five months ahead of its expected approval date, was based on positive results from two Phase 3 clinical trials, part of the AURORA program.

The trials showed that treatment with Trikafta can significantly improve lung function in CF patients, and also lower the annual rate of pulmonary exacerbations (worsening respiratory symptoms), and reduce the levels of chloride in their sweat. The treatment is generally well-tolerated by patients.

Cystic Fibrosis News Today interviewed Jeffrey Leiden, Vertex’s chairman, president, and CEO, shortly after Trikafta was approved by the FDA. That article can be found on this link.