When doctors talk about a new leukemia drug from Novartis, they ooze enthusiasm, using words like “breakthrough,” “revolutionary” and “a watershed moment.”
But when they think about how much the therapy is likely to cost, their tone turns alarmist.
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Switzerland-based Novartis hasn’t announced a price for the medicine, but British health authorities have said a price of $649,000 for a one-time treatment would be justified given the significant benefits.
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The treatment, CTL019, belongs to a new class of medications called CAR T-cell therapies, which involve harvesting patients’ immune cells and genetically altering them to kill cancer.[…] In a clinical trial, 83 percent of those treated with CAR T-cell therapy—described as a “living drug” because it derives from a patient’s own cells—have gone into remission.
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Rather than wait for Novartis to announce a price, an advocacy group called Patients for Affordable Drugs has launched a pre-emptive strike, asking to meet with company officials to discuss a “fair” price for the therapy.
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Saltz, an oncologist who has long spoken out about high drug prices, said he applauded the patients group’s efforts. But he said he doubts their efforts will persuade Novartis to set a reasonably affordable price.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: “Breakthrough” Leukemia Drug Portends “Quantum Leap” In Cost
