New anti-cholesterol drugs, effective but too expensive

Two new anti-cholesterol drugs are too expensive, according to a report by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER).

The new drugs are Praulent (from Sanofi and Regeneron) and Repatha (from Amgen). Both of these drugs reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme called PCSK9.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the medications earlier this year, finding they reduced cholesterol by approximately 55-60% in patients who are already on or who can’t take cholesterol-reducing statin drugs.

The report said findings “provide moderate certainty that PCSK9 inhibitor therapy improves patient outcomes.” The report says the drugs are equally effective, and have a potential to help as many as 3.5 to 15 million Americans
Or maybe, just those who can afford them.

“With a list price over USD14,000 per year there are serious questions regarding the price at which these drugs would represent a sensible value to patients and to the health care system,” ICER researchers said in a statement. They said the drug-makers should bring their prices down to USD2,177 or below.

An annual price tag at or below USD2,177 is needed, ICER researchers said, “for the total costs of these new drugs to come down to a level at which doctors and insurers would not have to try to limit patient use in some way to keep overall health care cost growth within bounds.”

“If the cost is more than USD2,177 a year, drug companies, doctors, insurers, and other parties may need to work together to determine ways to limit the use of these drugs, find savings in other parts of the health care system, or adopt other measures to help make these drugs more affordable,” ICER president Steven Pearson said.

Elizabeth Baxter, of Sanofi, said “We need to better understand the ICER analysis, particularly their model and methodology, as we performed our own cost effectiveness model to help us determine the appropriate price.”

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Category: Features, Pharmaceuticals