#USA #Patient Support #copay assistance #Valeris #Morrisville, NC

Valeris Restores Copay Assistance to Support Patient Care

In a significant move to prioritize patient assistance, Valeris, a comprehensive life sciences commercialization partner, has announced that several of its client brands will regain their full copay assistance value. This announcement follows the removal of the SaveOn SP copay maximizer program, which previously diverted funds meant for patient support towards other costs rather than allowing them to reduce patients' deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.

This change reflects a broader strategy by Valeris to protect patient access to essential medications while ensuring that pharmaceutical manufacturers can effectively support their therapeutic programs. The affected brands had been caught in the crosshairs of the maximizer program, which aimed to capture the complete value of assistance offered by manufacturers throughout the plan year instead of enabling that support to directly benefit patients.

Matt Harper, Senior Vice President of Operations at Valeris, expressed pride in this outcome, emphasizing the impact it has on patient welfare. He stated, "When a brand is removed from a maximizer list, it signifies that patients can receive the total benefit of the assistance crafted for them by manufacturers. Additionally, it enables our partners to see their funding utilized as intended, rather than being absorbed by payer strategies."

Valeris has actively criticized the increasing use of copay maximizer initiatives, a trend that now affects a substantial portion of those with commercial insurance in the U.S. These strategies have become a growing concern for both patients and drug manufacturers, as they can hinder access to necessary medications.

Michael Harris, Vice President of Patient Support Services Strategy at Valeris, elaborated on the complexity of removing a brand from a maximizer list, stating, "Achieving this kind of success is the result of sustained monitoring, strategic mitigation, and robust advocacy. Our team maintains a proactive approach towards these challenges, as every manufacturer navigating this landscape should."

While the removal of specific brands from the maximizer list marks a win, Valeris cautions that the overarching trend of increased usage of such programs is still expanding within the commercial insurance market. The Patient Affordability team is committed to continuously monitoring plan and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) activities that may impact their client brands and aims to provide manufacturers with timely updates and strategic insights as conditions evolve.

About Valeris

Valeris positions itself as a vital player in the life sciences sector, delivering integrated commercialization solutions that cater to the entire healthcare value chain. Dedicated to optimizing the patient experience, the company works diligently to enhance access to critical medication for patients. Armed with deep industry insight, advanced technology, and a passionate team, Valeris strives to facilitate successful product launches for more than 500 life sciences customers, thereby supporting access and affordability initiatives for millions of patients. The company's dual headquarters are located in Morrisville, North Carolina, and Jeffersonville, Indiana.

To explore more about Valeris and its efforts, visit www.valeris.com.