Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced an expansion of its direct-to-consumer offerings on Thursday, making its blood thinner Eliquis and psoriasis therapy Sotyktu available at sharply discounted prices for cash-paying customers.
The announcement comes days ahead of a Sept. 29 deadline President Donald Trump imposed on major pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices in the U.S. in line with his most-favored-nation pricing policy.
The Princeton, New Jersey-based company currently offers Eliquis at a 40% discount through a DTC service launched with its partner Pfizer (PFE) in July.
“Eligible cash-pay patients can now purchase these medicines directly from BMS and significantly lower their out-of-pocket costs,” Bristol Myers (NYSE:BMY) said, adding that Sotyktu will be available through its new BMS Patient Connect platform from January at over 80% discount to its list price.
“We are proud to now offer Sotyktu at a lower price via BMS Patient Connect, our new direct-to-patient platform designed to make our innovative medicines more accessible and affordable for patients living with serious conditions,” CEO Christopher Boerner said.
Trump sent letters to 17 pharma executives, including Boerner, in July, calling on them to take steps within 60 days to lower the U.S. prices of their pharmaceutical products to match those in other developed countries in line with his MFN policy.