Emmaus Life Sciences Inc has announced that it has launched an innovative full-service telehealth solution with its strategic partners, including Asembia LLC, US Bioservices Corporation and UpScript IP Holdings, LLC.
The telehealth program capitalizes on the expansion of telemedicine in the US to afford patients and providers online access to Endari, Emmaus' prescription-grade L-glutamine oral powder for the treatment of sickle cell disease, the commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company and leader in the treatment of sickle cell disease said.
"The launch of our full-service telehealth solution reflects our stated commitment to make Endari accessible to sickle cell patients in need and we are excited to be launching the program," Emmaus chairman and CEO Yutaka Niihara, MD, MPH, said in a statement.
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"Our solution will allow patients to see a doctor without leaving home, thereby eliminating unnecessary travel time and expense and the risk of infection that can occur with hospital visits. Eligible patients will be able to receive a same-day physician authorization and prescription for Endari and to have the prescription delivered to their homes within just a few days.
“As the telehealth solution grows, we are optimistic that it will help us to reach new patients and add meaningful revenue for Emmaus," said Niihara.
According to the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the share of Medicare visits conducted through telehealth in 2020 increased 63-fold, from approximately 840,000 in 2019 to 52.7 million.
The HHS report noted that telehealth was particularly helpful in offsetting potential foregone behavioral health care and that states with the highest use of telehealth in 2020 included Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Other industry sources suggest that the trend toward telehealth accelerated in 2021 and is likely to be sustained, Emmaus noted.
"We believe that affording patients and telehealth prescribers access to Endari in a quick and convenient way will improve their experience and potentially increase adherence rates," stated George Sekulich, senior vice president of global commercialization at Emmaus.
"We look forward to working with our strategic partners on this important project."
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com