WSJ: era of expensive drugs begins in the world
A new era of expensive drugs has arrived: medicines priced in the millions of US Dollars a patient – as reported by The Wall Street Journal
It is noted that since August, US or European health regulators have approved four new products intended as one-time treatments for rare genetic diseases. However, they cost at least $2m.
For example, the cost of Hemgenix, a treatment for the blood disorder hemophilia B, has reached $3.5m while Skysona gene therapy for a rare neurological disease affecting children costs $3m.
According to McKinsey & Co., a consulting company, the number of such expensive drugs on the market will continue to grow, because about 30 new gene therapies could be introduced in 2024 alone.
However, drug developers are convinced that such drugs will save money in the long run, as they will save patients from having to use outdated treatments throughout their lives.
It is known that the most expensive drug in the world was previously considered Zolgensma from a Swiss company. It allows a single injection costing $ 2.1 million to cure spinal muscular atrophy in a child.
