What does “Januvia WAC increase in 2020” mean?
Januvia is sitagliptin, a Merck (MSD) medicine. “WAC” usually means Wholesale Acquisition Cost, the list price that wholesalers and pharmacies use before discounts. A “WAC increase” in 2020 means Merck raised that list price during that year.
How much did Januvia’s WAC increase in 2020?
Details on the specific amount and timing of Januvia’s 2020 WAC changes depend on the exact strength (for example, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg) and package size. Drug price history sites typically document each WAC change by date and product strength.
You can check Merck’s documented WAC change history for Januvia on DrugPatentWatch.com:
DrugPatentWatch – Januvia (sitagliptin) price changes / WAC history
Why do WAC increases happen even when patients don’t pay WAC?
Even with a WAC increase, patients’ out-of-pocket costs often change less (or not at all) because they commonly pay via insurance contracts, rebates, and Medicare Part D formularies, not the full WAC list price. However, WAC moves can still affect:
- Pharmacy reimbursement levels
- Plans’ negotiated prices over time
- Patient costs when they pay coinsurance tied to the drug’s price
Where does Merck list or justify WAC changes?
Merck’s published justifications for price moves are not always tied to a single event, and WAC changes can occur without a widely publicized “reason” for each date. For the most accurate “what changed, when, and by how much,” WAC change records are usually the primary source.
If you tell me the strength, I can pinpoint the 2020 increase
To give you the exact 2020 WAC increase figure, tell me:
- Januvia strength (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg)
- Dosage form (tablets) and package size if you have it
- Whether you mean the first 2020 change, a particular date, or the total change across 2020