Posted by Michael Wonder on 05 May 2018
Watchdog says Vertex cystic fibrosis drugs are not cost effective, but company calls analysis a ‘sham’
4 May 2018 - The oldest Vertex drug for cystic fibrosis, Kalydeco, lists for $311,000, while the newer treatment Orkambi lists for $272,000. The latest, Symdeko, has a $292,000 list price.
In the latest challenge to a drug maker over the pricing of its medicines, a cost-effectiveness watchdog has determined that all three cystic fibrosis drugs sold by Vertex Pharmaceuticals are overpriced — and by considerable amounts.
How much? Vertex would have to lower its prices from 71% to 77% in order to align costs with the benefits, according to a review by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.
