PRINCETON, N.J., Oct. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medunik USA (member of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group, an international company selected in the Government of Canada's first Global Hypergrowth Project) is pleased to announce that as of January 1st, 2024, Pheburane® (sodium phenylbutyrate) will be covered by commercial plans representing ~80% of the US population. Working tirelessly to ease access to Pheburane® for Americans living with certain urea cycle disorders (UCDs), Medunik USA is continually expanding its network of governmental and private insurers covering Pheburane®.
Pheburane® is indicated as adjunctive therapy to standard of care, which includes dietary management, for the chronic management of adult and pediatric patients with UCDs involving deficiencies of carbamylphosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) or argininosuccinate synthetase (AS). Pheburane® is not indicated for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia which can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment. The most common side effects associated with sodium phenylbutyrate are menstrual dysfunction, decreased appetite, body odor and bad taste or taste aversion.1
Medunik USA has provided access to Pheburane® for Americans with certain UCDs since September 2022 and offers it at a discount to other therapies: one-third of the cost of RAVICTI® (glycerol phenylbutyrate)* and half the price of OLPRUVATM (sodium phenylbutyrate)*. As of October 2023, Pheburane® is covered by Medicaid programs with preferred status in 6 states and is also included on California Contract Drug List with no prior authorization required.
“Deciding to make our product available to UCD patients at a mere fraction of the price of our main competitors is not only a concrete demonstration of Medunik USA’s mission; it is also an illustration of the courage and patient-focused culture that drives our decisions” said Éric Gervais, President of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group.
UCDs are rare, chronic, genetic conditions that can be fatal if left untreated, and can impact children from the time of birth. UCDs disrupt the body’s urea cycle, and therefore, the body is unable to remove the dangerous buildup of toxic chemicals, particularly ammonia, that are created from the digestion of protein. One in 35,000 people in the United States or about 28 per one million residents suffer from UCDs of different levels of severity.2
“In today’s complex and pressurized reality, it is every stakeholder’s responsibility to consider cost-effective treatment options when patients’ conditions permit, to maintain the durability of the healthcare ecosystem” said Tanya Carro, Executive Vice-President of Medunik USA. “Medunik USA’s competitive pricing for Pheburane is a true testament of our commitment to provide Americans suffering from rare disease with access to orphan drugs.”
Pheburane® comes in the form of small oral pellets, about the size of grains of sugar, which are measured with its reusable, calibrated dosing spoon. It does not require any mixing or oral syringes and there is no weight restriction for patients. Pheburane® has a proven history in the treatment of UCDs on an international level, as it has been available in Europe since 2013, and in Canada since 2015.
Medunik USA offers Pheburane® through its UNIK Support Program – designed to support each unique patient. UNIK Support offers specialized services including a copay savings program, patient care liaison services, mail order pharmacy and other support services. Visit Pheburane.com for more information.
*Based on published pricing information
About urea cycle disorders (UCDs)
The main purpose of the Urea Cycle is to eliminate toxic ammonia from the blood and make urea, which is then excreted as urine. UCDs are rare genetic disorders that cause errors in this process, allowing high levels of ammonia, the key marker for UCDs, to build up in the bloodstream, potentially to dangerous and fatal levels. Ammonia is extremely toxic, particularly to the central nervous system. UCDs can cause catastrophic illness in newborns within 36 to 48 hours of birth despite the infants appearing normal, so they can be discharged from hospital before signs of UCDs develop. UCDs require lifelong monitoring and treatment.2
About Pheburane®
Pheburane® is a taste-masked oral formulation of sodium phenylbutyrate, approved by the Food and Drug Administration as adjunctive therapy to standard of care, which includes dietary management, for the chronic management of adult and pediatric patients with UCDs, involving deficiencies of carbamylphosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) or argininosuccinic acid synthetase (AS). Pheburane® is not indicated for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia.1
Pheburane®, developed by Lucane Pharma, is under exclusive distribution in the U.S. through Medunik USA. For further information, visit Pheburane.com.
INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is Pheburane®?
- Pheburane® is a prescription medicine, used along with a specific diet, for the long-term management of adults and children with urea cycle disorders (UCDs), involving deficiencies of carbamylphosphate synthetase (CPS), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) or argininosuccinate synthetase (AS).
- Episodes of sudden, rapid increase of ammonia in the blood (acute hyperammonemia) may happen in people during treatment with Pheburane®. Pheburane® is not used for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia, which can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment.
Before taking Pheburane®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have heart problems.
- have kidney or liver problems.
- have diabetes (Pheburane® contains sucrose), or have a history of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or sucrose-isomaltase insufficiency.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Pheburane® will harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Pheburane® passes into your breastmilk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Pheburane®.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you or your child take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Certain medicines may increase the level of ammonia in your blood or cause serious side effects when taken during treatment with Pheburane®. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you or your child take:
- corticosteroids
- valproic acid
- haloperidol
- probenecid
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your or your child’s healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
What are the possible side effects of Pheburane®?
Pheburane® can cause serious side effects, including:
Nervous system problems (neurotoxicity). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms during treatment with Pheburane®:
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Low potassium levels in your blood (hypokalemia). Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood potassium levels during treatment with PHEBURANE and treat if needed.
Conditions related to swelling (edema). Pheburane® contains salt (sodium), which can cause swelling from salt and water retention. Your healthcare provider will decide if PHEBURANE is right for you if you have certain medical conditions that can cause swelling, such as heart failure, liver problems or kidney problems.
The most common side effects of Pheburane® include:
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Your healthcare provider may do certain blood tests to check you or your child for side effects during treatment with Pheburane®.
These are not all the possible side effects of Pheburane®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information at Pheburane.com.
About Medunik USA
Based in Princeton, New Jersey, Medunik USA is part of the Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group and works to improve the health and quality of life of Americans living with rare diseases by making orphan drug therapies available in the United States. Through its strategic partnerships, Medunik USA develops and provides Americans suffering from rare disease with access to orphan drugs that are not currently available in the U.S. Medunik USA makes critical medications to treat rare diseases available to American patients who might not otherwise have access to these medications. For more information, visit www.medunikusa.com.
About Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group
Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG), with its affiliated companies, is headquartered in Blainville, Quebec. The group consists of five pharmaceutical companies to meet the needs of patients in Canada, the U.S., and abroad. The companies are Duchesnay and Duchesnay USA, both dedicated to women's health; Médunik Canada and Medunik USA, which provide treatments for rare diseases; and Analog Pharma, an American generic drugs company, specializing in authorized generics and orphan drugs. From its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, Duchesnay can export its innovative treatments to more than 50 countries. DPG is one of the 8 companies across the country chosen to participate in the first cohort of the Government of Canada's Global Hypergrowth Project. This appointment offers exclusive and personalized support for at least 2 years, in order to accelerate our growth to become one of the pillars of the Canadian economy.
Duchesnay and Medunik, through their proprietary research and development, and through partnerships, offer innovative treatments for a variety of medical conditions in women's health, urology, oncology as well as for rare diseases. The group of companies recognizes the dedication and professionalism of its employees and promotes a positive culture and flexible work environment. It is deeply committed to environmental responsibility and giving back to the community through the support of various charitable organizations. For more information, please visit: https://duchesnaypharmaceuticalgroup.com/en
References
1. Pheburane® (sodium phenylbutyrate) oral pellets [Prescribing Information]. Medunik USA, Inc.
2. Cleveland Clinic, Urea Cycle Disorder, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23470-urea-cycle-disorder
Media contact:
Email: msavchuk@duchesnay.com
Telephone: 1 877 833-7734 post 149
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06f1763c-9c77-4ab8-b08d-774c31360d51
