The cost of healthcare in the United States has been a topic of ongoing debate and concern for many years. One area of particular concern is the cost of prescription drugs, which can be incredibly high, even for individuals with insurance coverage. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most expensive drugs available in the United States, and explore the reasons behind their high costs.
- Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) – $2.1 million
- Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec) – $850,000
- Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) – $62,000 to $38,892
- Spinraza (nusinersen) – $125,000 per injection
- Myalept (metreleptin) – $27,000 per month
- Soliris (eculizumab) – $440,000 to $700,000 per year
- Ravicti (glycerol phenylbutyrate) – $312,000 per year
- Kalydeco (ivacaftor) – $307,000 per year
- Exondys 51 (eteplirsen) – $300,000 per year
- Naglazyme (galsulfase) – $300,000 per year.
One of the most expensive drugs in the United States is Zolgensma, which is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy. The cost of this drug is a staggering $2.1 million for a one-time treatment. Another expensive drug is Luxturna, which is used to treat inherited retinal disease. The cost of this drug is $850,000 per treatment.
Acthar Gel, which is used to treat a variety of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, is also an expensive drug with costs ranging from $62,000 to $38,892. Spinraza, which is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, is also costly with a price of $125,000 per injection. Myalept, which is used to treat lipodystrophy, costs $27,000 per month.
Soliris, which is used to treat a rare blood disorder, can cost anywhere from $440,000 to $700,000 per year. Ravicti, which is used to treat urea cycle disorders, costs $312,000 per year. Kalydeco, which is used to treat cystic fibrosis, costs $307,000 per year. Exondys 51, which is used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, costs $300,000 per year. Naglazyme, which is used to treat mucopolysaccharidosis VI, also costs $300,000 per year.
So, why are these drugs so expensive? There are a number of factors that contribute to the high cost of drugs in the United States. One of the main reasons is the cost of research and development. Developing a new drug can be an incredibly expensive and time-consuming process, and companies often need to recoup these costs through high prices for the drugs. Additionally, there is a lack of price regulation in the United States, which allows companies to set prices as high as they want.
Another factor that contributes to the high cost of drugs is the lack of competition. Many of the drugs on this list are used to treat rare or orphan diseases, and as such, there is little to no competition in the market. This allows companies to charge high prices without fear of losing customers.
Finally, the cost of drugs is also affected by the cost of healthcare in the United States as a whole. The United States has a unique healthcare system, where patients are often responsible for a large portion of the cost of their care. This can make it difficult for patients to afford expensive drugs, even with insurance coverage.
In conclusion, the cost of drugs in the United States can be incredibly high, even for individuals with insurance coverage. Some of the most expensive drugs available in the United States include Zolgensma, Luxturna, Acthar Gel, Spinraza, Myalept, Soliris, Ravicti, Kalydeco, Exondys 51, and Naglazyme. The high cost of these drugs is due to a number of factors, including the cost of research and development, lack of price regulation, lack of competition, and the cost of healthcare in the United States as a whole.
