The world's most expensive drug costs $850,000
According to a VNA reporter in New York, Luxturna - a drug to treat congenital retinal degeneration that can lead to complete blindness, will be sold for 850,000 USD in the US, becoming one of the most expensive treatments in the world.
(Source: CNN)
According to the drug's maker, Philadelphia-based Spark Therapeutics, patients only need a single dose of Luxturna.
The price is still lower than the $1 million initially expected before the company received FDA approval in mid-December.
The announcement comes amid a heated debate in the US over the high cost of drugs, especially for treatments that are considered innovative.
In response to criticism, Spark has promised to refund patients if the treatment fails, and said it hopes US health officials will allow payments for the drug in installments.
There are currently about 1,000 patients suffering from congenital retinal degeneration, and it is estimated that there are 10-20 new cases each year.
In addition to Luxturna, there are several other drugs that cost close to $1 million, but these drugs are usually prescribed in several doses.
For example, Spinraza (known as Nusinersen in Europe), made by Biogen and Ionis to treat muscular dystrophy, and Soliris, made by Alexion to treat a rare form of kidney disease, both cost about $750,000.
Currently, the most expensive drug in the world is Glybera, produced by the Dutch company UniQure and sold for $1 million to treat a number of genetic diseases.
