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Akynzeo® (fosnetupitant/palonosetron) (Intravenous)

Policy Number: VP-0363

Last Review Date: 03/31/2023

Date of Origin: 05/01/2018

Dates Reviewed: 05/2018, 06/2018, 02/2019, 02/2020, 10/2020, 04/2021, 4/2022, 04/2023

FOR PEEHIP Members Only -Coverage excludes the provider-administered medication(s) outlined in this drug policy from being accessed through a specialty pharmacy. It must be obtained through buy and bill.

I. Length of Authorization

Coverage is provided for 6 months and may be renewed.

II. Dosing Limits

  1. Quantity Limit (max daily dose) [NDC Unit]:
  • Akynzeo 235 mg/0.25 mg (fosnetupitant/palonosetron) single-dose vial: 1 vial per 7 days
  1. Max Units (per dose and over time) [HCPCS Unit]:
  • 1 billable unit per 7 days

III. Initial Approval Criteria 1

For PEEHIP Members Only

Akynzeo is a non-covered product.

Coverage is provided in the following conditions:

  • Patient is at least 18 years of age; AND

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) † 1-5

  • Used in combination with dexamethasone; AND
    • Patient is receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC)*; OR
    • Patient is receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC); AND
  • Akynzeo is NOT covered for:
  • Breakthrough emesis; OR
  • Repeat dosing in multi-day emetogenic chemotherapy regimens; OR
  • CINV related to an anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy regimen

*Highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC):

 

Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy (HEC)

Carboplatin

Carmustine

Cisplatin

Cyclophosphamide

Dacarbazine

Doxorubicin

Epirubicin

Fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki

Ifosfamide

Mechlorethamine

Melphalan ≥140 mg/m2

Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy

Streptozocin

The following can be considered HEC in certain patients

Dactinomycin

Daunorubicin

Idarubicin

Irinotecan

Methotrexate ≥250mg/m2

Oxaliplatin

Trabectedin

The following regimens can be considered HEC

FOLFOX

FOLFIRI

FOLFIRINOX; FOLFOXIRI

AC (any anthracycline + cyclophosphamide)

** Failure is defined as:

  • Two or more documented episodes of vomiting attributed to the current chemotherapy regimen

FDA-approved indication(s); Compendia Recommended Indication(s); Ф Orphan Drug

IV. Renewal Criteria 1-3

Coverage can be renewed based upon the following criteria:

  • Patient continues to meet indication-specific relevant criteria such as concomitant therapy requirements (not including prerequisite therapy), performance status, etc. identified in section III; AND
  • Disease response; AND
  • Absence of unacceptable toxicity from the drug. Examples of unacceptable toxicity include: severe hypersensitivity reactions, serotonin syndrome, etc.

V. Dosage/Administration 1-3

Indication

Dose

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults

Administer the contents of 1 vial, intravenously, on Day 1 of each chemotherapy cycle approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of chemotherapy

VI. Billing Code/Availability Information

HCPCS Code:

  • J1454 - Injection, fosnetupitant 235 mg and palonosetron 0.25 mg; 1 billable unit = fosnetupitant 235 mg and palonosetron 0.25 mg

NDC(s):

  • Akynzeo (235 mg fosnetupitant/0.25 mg palonosetron); single-dose vial for injection (lyophilized powder): 69639-0102-xx
  • Akynzeo (235 mg fosnetupitant/0.25 mg palonosetron per 20 mL); single-dose vial for injection (solution; to-be-diluted): 69639-0105-xx
  • Akynzeo (235 mg fosnetupitant/0.25 mg palonosetron per 20 mL); single-dose vial for injection (solution; ready-to-use): 69639-0106-xx

VII. References

  1. Akynzeo [package insert]. Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc., Iselin, NJ, under license of Helsinn Healthcare SA, Switzerland. February 2023. Accessed March 2023.
  2. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Drugs and Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) fosnetupitant/palonosetron. National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2023. The NCCN Compendium® is a derivative work of the NCCN Guidelines®. NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK®, NCCN®, and NCCN GUIDELINES® are trademarks owned by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. To view the most recent and complete version of the Compendium, go online to NCCN.org. Accessed March 2023.
  3. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) Antiemesis. Version 1.2023. National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2023. The NCCN Compendium® is a derivative work of the NCCN Guidelines®. NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK®, NCCN®, and NCCN GUIDELINES® are trademarks owned by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. To view the most recent and complete version of the Compendium, go online to NCCN.org. Accessed March 2023.
  4. Roila F, Molassiotis A, Herrstedt J, et al. MASCC and ESMO Consensus Guidelines for the Prevention of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. Ann Oncol (2016) 27 (suppl 5): v119-v133.
  5. Hesketh PJ, Kris MG, Basch E, et al. Antiemetics: American Society of Clinical Oncology Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2020 Aug 20;38(24):2782-2797. Doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.01296.
  6. Karthaus M, Szabo P, Voisin D, et al. Phase III study of palonosetron (PALO) given as 30-min IV infusion (IV inf) versus 30-sec IV bolus (IV bol) for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) associated with highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). Journal of Clinical Oncology 35(31_suppl):227-227; November 2017. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2017.35.31_suppl.227. 
  7. Schwartzberg L, Roeland E, Andric Z, et al. Phase III safety study of intravenous NEPA: a novel fixed antiemetic combination of fosnetupitant and palonosetron in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Ann Oncol. 2018 Jul 1;29(7):1535-1540. Doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdy169.

Appendix 1 – Covered Diagnosis Codes

ICD-10

ICD-10 Description

R11.0

Nausea 

R11.10

Vomiting, unspecified

R11.11

Vomiting without nausea

R11.12

Projectile vomiting

R11.2

Nausea with vomiting, unspecified

T45.1X5A

Adverse effect of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs, initial encounter

T45.1X5D

Adverse effect of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs, subsequent encounter

T45.1X5S

Adverse effect of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs, sequela

T45.95XA

Adverse effect of unspecified primarily systemic and hematological agent, initial encounter

T45.95XD

Adverse effect of unspecified primarily systemic and hematological agent, subsequent encounter

T45.95XS

Adverse effect of unspecified primarily systemic and hematological agent, sequela

T50.905A

Adverse effect of unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter

T50.905D

Adverse effect of unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, subsequent encounter

T50.905S

Adverse effect of unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, sequela

Z51.11

Encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy

Z51.12

Encounter for antineoplastic immunotherapy

Appendix 2 – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Medicare coverage for outpatient (Part B) drugs is outlined in the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (Pub. 100-2), Chapter 15, §50 Drugs and Biologicals. In addition, National Coverage Determination (NCD), Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), and Local Coverage Articles (LCAs) may exist and compliance with these policies is required where applicable. They can be found at: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/search.aspx. Additional indications may be covered at the discretion of the health plan.

Medicare Part B Covered Diagnosis Codes (applicable to existing NCD/LCD/LCA): N/A

Medicare Part B Administrative Contractor (MAC) Jurisdictions

Jurisdiction

Applicable State/US Territory

Contractor

E (1)

CA, HI, NV, AS, GU, CNMI

Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC

F (2 & 3)

AK, WA, OR, ID, ND, SD, MT, WY, UT, AZ

Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC

5

KS, NE, IA, MO

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp (WPS)

6

MN, WI, IL

National Government Services, Inc. (NGS)

H (4 & 7)

LA, AR, MS, TX, OK, CO, NM

Novitas Solutions, Inc.

8

MI, IN

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp (WPS)

N (9)

FL, PR, VI

First Coast Service Options, Inc.

J (10)

TN, GA, AL

Palmetto Government Benefit Administrators, LLC

M (11)

NC, SC, WV, VA (excluding below)

Palmetto GBA, LLC

L (12)

DE, MD, PA, NJ, DC (includes Arlington & Fairfax counties and the city of Alexandria in VA)

Novitas Solutions, Inc.

K (13 & 14)

NY, CT, MA, RI, VT, ME, NH

National Government Services, Inc. (NGS)

15

KY, OH

CGS Administrators, LLC