Biogen's new drug for a rare genetic disorder will cost $375,000

[TexasTowelie]

Biogen Inc.’s groundbreaking new drug to treat a rare genetic disorder in children will be priced at about $375,000 a year per patient — its most expensive medicine ever — the Cambridge biotech company said Wednesday.

That will make the treatment, called Spinraza, one of the costliest medicines in the world when it hits the market in January. During its first year of use, the price will be even higher — about $750,000 – because six doses, instead of the subsequent three a year, are initially required, said Biogen spokesman Matt Fearer.

Analysts project the drug will become a so-called blockbuster treatment, generating annual revenue of at least $1 billion within a few years. Its per patient cost was first reported by Bloomberg News.

Spinraza is the first treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, a devastating condition that affects muscle control in children and is the leading genetic cause of infant death. The disease often limits patients’ ability to breathe, swallow, and move.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/12/28/biogen-new-drug-for-rare-genetic-disorder-will-cost/EEgZZSlovtUGy43zTk8unK/story.html

[safeinOhio]

1. Need to cut back on

the patent time on drugs to what it use to be. Hell I'd nationalize big drug companies. Public universities, that we pay for, do most of the research anyway.

[sarcasmo]

2. Only the elite will be able to afford the pharmacy.

[spanone]

3. obscene death panel...

no money no life....pretty simple

[KamaAina]

4. The Wisconsin teenager who ended her life as the world cheered her on had SMA.

And now there's a treatment for it.

[Drahthaardogs]

5. While the cost is excessive, I can see some rationale for high priced drugs that just came out of

trials and are in first production. It makes some sense (but $750,000 is insane).

Is the rebranding of old drugs, like albuterol inhalers, insulin, etc. and jacking up the prices just to make money that should be criminal.