CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: XERS), a specialty pharmaceutical company leveraging its novel formulation technology platforms to develop and commercialize ready-to-use injectable and infusible drug formulations, today announced a limited-time $0 copay offering for commercially eligible patients effective now through April 30, 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this time of uncertainty, people with diabetes need a glucagon product they can easily administer if their blood sugar goes severely low. Unfortunately, most people with diabetes on insulin either don’t have glucagon at home or have an antiquated glucagon kit that studies have shown very few people can correctly administer especially under duress. To quickly change this paradigm and relieve the stress of financial barriers, we are offering a $0 copay card through the end of April. Simply put, anyone with commercial insurance that gets a prescription for Gvoke PFS will pay $0 out of pocket,” said Paul R. Edick, Chairman and CEO of Xeris. “We are committed to ensuring as many people as possible can replace the antiquated glucagon kits and have access to Gvoke PFS, which is premixed and prefilled, so it’s ready to use and easy to administer.”
The $0 copay card is available to commercially insured patients, who may or may not have Gvoke PFS covered by their insurance plan*. If a prior authorization is required, the $0 copay offer can be applied to the prescription.
To access a digital copay card, please go to https://www.gvokeglucagon.com/savings-and-support.
Xeris is committed to making Gvoke PFS easier and more convenient with its availability for home delivery through PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy. Patients can request a prescription online through the Gvoke website, and pharmacists at PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy will reach out to their doctor for a prescription. Gvoke PFS will be shipped to their home at no additional cost. Please note, this option is currently available only for people with commercial insurance. Learn more at https://www.gvokeglucagon.com/ordering-gvoke
*Offer not valid for prescriptions reimbursed under Medicaid, a Medicare drug benefit plan, TRICARE, or other federal or state health programs (such as medical assistance programs).
About Severe Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemic events of any severity are a daily concern for people with diabetes. Mild or moderate hypoglycemia can occur multiple times a month. Severe hypoglycemia is characterized by severe cognitive impairment, requiring external assistance for recovery, and can be extremely frightening for patients and caregivers. Severe hypoglycemia can result in cardiovascular disease, seizure, coma, and, if left untreated, death. These severe hypoglycemic events can occur multiple times a year. Such events require emergency assistance from another person or caregiver such as a family member, friend, or co-worker.
About Glucagon
Glucagon is a metabolic hormone secreted by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by causing the liver to rapidly convert glycogen (the stored form of glucose) into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. Glucagon and insulin are two critical hormones in a glycemic control system that keep blood glucose at the right level in healthy individuals. In people with diabetes who are dependent on insulin, this control system is disrupted, and insulin must be injected to avoid high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia). The opposite effect, or low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), is also prevalent in this population due to dysregulated glucagon secretion. Severe hypoglycemia is a serious condition and can lead to seizures, coma, potential brain injury and, if untreated, death.
Glucagon is the standard of care for treating severe hypoglycemia. According to the American Diabetes Association, glucagon should be prescribed for all individuals at increased risk of clinically significant hypoglycemia, defined as blood glucose