Prices have ballooned by 100 percent or more for a growing number of drugs, according to a new study. In fact, the number of branded meds whose prices have grown that much could double this year from four years ago. In 2007, the average wholesale price of 26 brand-name meds jumped 100 percent or more in a single price increase, up from 15 in 2004. In the first half of 2008, 17 made that list.
Many of the price increases have come on drugs that treat rare but serious conditions. For example, Questcor Pharmaceuticals boosted the price of Acthar [1], which treats spasms in babies, to $23,000 from $1,650 a vial.
- read the story [2] in USA Today
Related Articles:
Congress decries drug price-gouging [3]
Obama, McCain united against drug costs [4]
Americans prioritize medication prices [5]
PBMs profit off expensive niche meds [6]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercepharma.com/special-reports/questcor-best-pharma-stocks-2007
[2] http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2008-08-07-costlydrugs_N.htm
[3] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/congress-decries-drug-price-gouging/2008-07-28
[4] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/obama-and-mccain-united-war-big-pharma-drugs/2008-07-16
[5] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/americans-prioritize-medication-prices/2008-06-11
[6] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/pbms-profit-off-expensive-niche-meds/2008-04-21