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Specialty Pharmacy Clinical Policy Bulletins
Aetna Non-Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Subject: Cibinqo SGM 5142-A P2026

Drug
CIBINQO  (abrocitinib)


Policy:

Indications

The indications below including FDA-approved indications and compendial uses are considered a covered benefit provided that all the approval criteria are met and the member has no exclusions to the prescribed therapy.

FDA-Approved Indications1

Treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with refractory, moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with other systemic drug products, including biologics, or when use of those therapies is inadvisable.

All other indications are considered experimental/investigational and not medically necessary.

Documentation

Submission of the following information is necessary to initiate the prior authorization review:

Initial requests

·       Chart notes or medical record documentation showing affected area(s) and body surface area.

·       Chart notes, medical record documentation, or claims history supporting previous medications tried, including response to therapy. If therapy is not advisable, documentation of clinical reason to avoid therapy (where applicable).

Continuation requests

Chart notes or medical record documentation supporting positive clinical response.

Prescriber Specialties

This medication must be prescribed by or in consultation with a dermatologist or allergist/immunologist.

Coverage Criteria

Atopic Dermatitis1-7

Authorization of 4 months may be granted for treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in members 12 years of age or older when all of the following criteria are met:

·       Affected body surface is greater than or equal to 10% body surface area OR crucial body areas (e.g., hands, feet, face, neck, scalp, genitals/groin, intertriginous areas) are affected.

·       Member meets either of the following:

§  Member has had an inadequate treatment response with one of the following:

·       A medium potency to super-high potency topical corticosteroid (see Appendix)

·       A topical calcineurin inhibitor (e.g., pimecrolimus, tacrolimus)

·       A topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor (e.g., Opzelura)

·       A topical phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor (e.g., Eucrisa, Zoryve)

·       A topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist (e.g., Vtama)

§  The use of medium potency to super-high potency topical corticosteroid, topical calcineurin inhibitor, topical JAK inhibitor, topical PDE-4 inhibitor, and topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist are not advisable for the member (e.g., due to contraindications, prior intolerances).

·       Member has had an inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to treatment with other systemic drug products, including biologics (e.g., Adbry, Dupixent, Ebglyss, Nemluvio, Rinvoq) indicated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in the past 12 months.

Continuation of Therapy

Authorization of 12 months may be granted for members 12 years of age or older (including new members) who are using the requested medication for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and who achieve or maintain a positive clinical response as evidenced by low disease activity (i.e., clear or almost clear skin), or improvement in signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (e.g., redness, itching, oozing/crusting).

Other1,8

Member has had a documented negative tuberculosis (TB) test (which can include a tuberculosis skin test [TST] or an interferon-release assay [IGRA]) within 12 months of initiating therapy for persons who are naïve to biologic drugs or targeted synthetic drugs associated with an increased risk of TB.

If the screening testing for TB is positive, there must be further testing to confirm there is no active disease (e.g., chest x-ray). Do not administer the requested medication to members with active TB infection. If there is latent disease, TB treatment must be started before initiation of the requested medication.

Member cannot use the requested medication concomitantly with any other biologic drug, targeted synthetic drug, or potent immunosuppressant such as azathioprine or cyclosporine.

Appendix

Table. Relative Potency of Select Topical Corticosteroid Products7

Potency

Drug

Dosage form

Strength

I. Super-high potency (group 1)

Augmented betamethasone dipropionate

Ointment, Lotion, Gel

0.05%

I. Super-high potency (group 1)

Clobetasol propionate

Cream, Gel, Ointment, Solution, Cream (emollient), Lotion, Shampoo, Foam Aerosol, Spray Aerosol, Solution (scalp)

0.05%

I. Super-high potency (group 1)

Fluocinonide

Cream

0.1%

I. Super-high potency (group 1)

Flurandrenolide

Tape

4 mcg/cm2

I. Super-high potency (group 1)

Halobetasol propionate

Cream, Lotion, Ointment, Foam

0.05%

II. High potency (group 2)

Amcinonide

Ointment

0.1%

II. High potency (group 2)

Augmented betamethasone dipropionate

Cream

0.05%

II. High potency (group 2)

Betamethasone dipropionate

Ointment

0.05%

II. High potency (group 2)

Clobetasol propionate

Cream

0.025%

II. High potency (group 2)

Desoximetasone

Cream, Ointment, Spray

0.25%

II. High potency (group 2)

Desoximetasone

Gel

0.05%

II. High potency (group 2)

Diflorasone diacetate

Ointment, Cream (emollient)

0.05%

II. High potency (group 2)

Fluocinonide

Cream, Ointment, Gel, Solution

0.05%

II. High potency (group 2)

Halcinonide

Cream, Ointment, Solution

0.1%

II. High potency (group 2)

Halobetasol propionate

Lotion

0.01%

III. High potency (group 3)

Amcinonide

Cream

0.1%

III. High potency (group 3)

Betamethasone dipropionate

Cream

0.05%

III. High potency (group 3)

Betamethasone valerate

Ointment

0.1%

III. High potency (group 3)

Betamethasone valerate

Foam

0.12%

III. High potency (group 3)

Desoximetasone

Cream, Ointment

0.05%

III. High potency (group 3)

Diflorasone diacetate

Cream

0.05%

III. High potency (group 3)

Fluocinonide

Cream (aqueous emollient)

0.05%

III. High potency (group 3)

Fluticasone propionate

Ointment

0.005%

III. High potency (group 3)

Mometasone furoate

Ointment

0.1%

III. High potency (group 3)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Cream, Ointment

0.5%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Betamethasone dipropionate

Spray

0.05%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Clocortolone pivalate

Cream

0.1%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Fluocinolone acetonide

Ointment

0.025%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Flurandrenolide

Ointment

0.05%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Fluticasone propionate

Cream

0.05%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Hydrocortisone valerate

Ointment

0.2%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Mometasone furoate

Cream, Lotion, Solution

0.1%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Cream, Paste (mouth/throat), Ointment

0.1%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Ointment

0.05%

IV. Medium potency (group 4)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Aerosol Spray

0.2 mg per 2-second spray

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Betamethasone dipropionate

Lotion

0.05%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Betamethasone valerate

Cream

0.1%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Desonide

Ointment, Gel

0.05%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Fluocinolone acetonide

Cream

0.025%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Flurandrenolide

Cream, Lotion

0.05%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Fluticasone propionate

Lotion

0.05%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Hydrocortisone butyrate

Cream, Lotion, Ointment, Solution

0.1%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Hydrocortisone probutate

Cream

0.1%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Hydrocortisone valerate

Cream

0.2%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Prednicarbate

Cream (emollient), Ointment

0.1%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Lotion

0.1%

V. Lower-mid potency (group 5)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Ointment

0.025%

VI. Low potency (group 6)

Alclometasone dipropionate

Cream, Ointment

0.05%

VI. Low potency (group 6)

Betamethasone valerate

Lotion

0.1%

VI. Low potency (group 6)

Desonide

Cream, Lotion, Foam

0.05%

VI. Low potency (group 6)

Fluocinolone acetonide

Cream, Solution, Shampoo, Oil

0.01%

VI. Low potency (group 6)

Triamcinolone acetonide

Cream, lotion

0.025%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone (base, greater than or equal to 2%)

Cream, Ointment, Lotion, Solution

2.5%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone (base, greater than or equal to 2%)

Cream, Gel, Lotion

2%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone (base, less than 2%)

Cream, Ointment, Liquid, Lotion, Solution

1%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone (base, less than 2%)

Cream, Ointment

0.5%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone acetate

Cream

2.5%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone acetate

Lotion

2%

VII. Least potent (group 7)

Hydrocortisone acetate

Cream, Ointment

1%


Place of Service:

Outpatient

The above policy is based on the following references:

1.      Cibinqo [package insert]. New York, NY: Pfizer Inc.; December 2023.

2.      Eichenfield LF, Tom WL, Chamlin SL, et. al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: Section 1. Diagnosis and assessment of atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70:338-51.

3.      Sidbury R, Alikhan A, Bercovitch L, et. al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(1):e1-e20.

4.      Davis DMR, Drucker AM, Alikhan A, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with phototherapy and systemic therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(2):e43-e56.

5.      Davis DMR, Frazer-Green L, Alikhan A, et al. Focused update: Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025;93(3):745.e1-745.e7.

6.      Sidbury R, Tom WL, Bergman JN, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis: Section 4. Prevention of disease flares and use of adjunctive therapies and approaches. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71:1218-1233.

7.      Comparison of Representative Topical Corticosteroid Preparations (Classified According to the United States System). Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts and Comparisons. UpToDate Inc. https://fco.factsandcomparisons.com. Accessed November 7, 2025.

8.      Testing for TB Infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on November 7, 2025 from: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/testing/index.html.

Copyright Aetna Inc. All rights reserved. Pharmacy Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical advice. This Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating providers are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.

June 06, 2026
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