AbbVie joins US pilot to test new drug discount rebate model

AbbVie (ABBV) said it would take part in a US government pilot designed to test a new rebate system for discounted medicines, joining a group of large drugmakers that includes Amgen (AMGN), AstraZeneca (AZN), and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY).

The pilot, which begins on January 1 2027, falls under the government's 340B program, which helps hospitals and clinics serving low-income patients buy medicines at a discount.

Under the new model, eligible healthcare providers will submit claims through a platform called Beacon to obtain 340B pricing on three AbbVie products: the cancer drug Imbruvica, the irritable bowel syndrome treatment Linzess and the antipsychotic Vraylar.

AbbVie said it would give healthcare groups free access to the system, along with customer service and special assistance for providers that encounter operational difficulties.

The company said the rebate test would improve pricing transparency and help prevent duplicate discounts as new Medicare-negotiated drug prices take effect. It added that it planned to work closely with federal health regulators and healthcare providers throughout the rollout.