Drug prices are soaring into the stratosphere. Nine medicines now cost more than $200,000 per year.
When people talk about expensive drugs, they usually are referring to drugs like Lipitor for high cholesterol ($1,500 a year), Zyprexa for schizophrenia ($7,000 a year) or Avastin for cancer ($50,000 a year). But none of these medicines come close to making Forbes' exclusive survey of the most expensive medicines on the planet.
The nine drugs on our list all cost more than $200,000 a year for the average patient who takes them. Most of them treat rare genetic diseases that afflict fewer than 10,000 patients. For these diseases, there are few if any other treatments. So biotech companies can charge pretty much whatever they want.
Alexion Pharmaceutical's Soliris, at $409,500 a year, is the world's single most expensive drug. This monoclonal antibody drug treats a rare disorder in which the immune system destroys red blood cells at night. The disorder, paroxysymal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), hits 8,000 Americans. Last year Soliris sales were $295 million. Since Alexion started selling Soliris two years ago, its stock price is up 130%.
In the inverted world of drug pricing, the fewer patients a drug helps, the more it costs. Before testing Soliris for PNH, Alexion tested the drug for rheumatoid arthritis, which afflicts 1 million Americans. The trials failed. But if it had worked for arthritis, Alexion would likely have had to charge a much a lower price for this use, as would have to compete against drugs that cost a mere $20,000.
Three other drugs cost more than $350,000 per year. Shire Pharmaceuticals' ( SHPGY - news - people ) Elaprase ($375,000 per year) treats an ultra-rare metabolic disorder called Hunter's syndrome. Just 500 Americans suffer from the disease, which causes infections, breathing problems and brain damage. Last year domestic sales of Elaprase were $353 million.
Naglazyme from BioMarin Pharmaceuticals treats another rare metabolic disorder and costs $365,000 a year, according to investment bank Robert W. Baird. Viropharma predicts that sales of its Cinryze, a treatment to prevent a dangerous swelling of the face, will increase from $95 million last year to $350 million several years from now. The drug costs an estimated $350,000 a year.
"Soliris" Annual cost: $409,500
Manufacturer: Alexion Pharmaceuticals
This drug treats paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), an disorder in which immune system destroys red blood cells. Untreated, it is usually lethal within 10 years. It hits 8,000 people in the U.S.
"Elaprase"Estimated annual cost: $375,000
Manufacturer: Shire
This treats something called Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis II, MPS II), which causes flattened noses, enlarged tongues, breathing difficulty and brain damage. Two thousand patients in the world have it.
"Naglazyme"Annual cost: $365,000
Manufacturer: BioMarin Pharmaceuticals
This treats a metabolic disorder called Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome (MPS VI), which afflicts 1,100 people worldwide. Symptoms include enlarged head, thick lips and short stature. Patients may be wheelchair-bound by age 15.
"Cinryze"Annual cost: $350,000
Manufacturer: ViroPharma
Cinryze treats hereditary angiodema (HAE), an immune system disorder that causes swelling in the abdomen and lips. The disease affects 6,000 people in the U.S.
"Myozyme"Annual cost: $300,000
Manufacturers: Genzyme, Biomarin Pharmaceuticals
Myozyme replaces the enzyme that is missing in Pompe disease, a potentially fatal disease that weakens the muscles and enlarges the heart. Without treatment, late-onset patients eventually need wheelchairs and ultimately ventilators. Nine hundred people worldwide suffer from this.
"Arcalyst"Annual cost: $250,000
Manufacturer: Regeneron
Muckle-Wells, which this drug treats, hits 2,000 people worldwide and causes recurring fevers, rashes, joint pain and kidney damage.
"Fabrazyme"Annual cost: $200,000
Manufacturer: Genzyme
Fabry disease causes burning sensations, purple blemishes, enlarged hearts and kidney problems. The number of patients who have it is 2,200 worldwide.
"Cerezyme"Annual cost: $200,000
Manufacturer: Genzyme
In Gaucher disease fatty clumps accumulate in spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow and sometimes in the brain, causing skeletal disorder, lung and kidney impairment. The drug replaces the enzyme that Gaucher patients are missing. Worldwide, 5,200 patients have the disease.
"Aldurazyme"Annual cost: $200,000
Manufacturer: Genzyme, Biomarin
This treats Hurler syndrome (MPS I), which causes patients to stop developing mentally and physically by age 4. Six hundred people in the world have it.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=25769.0
