Novartis’ new gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is soon to hit the market with an expected price of roughly $2 million, the Wall Street Journal reports.
While the drugmaker has not yet set the price of Zolgensma, according to the report, executives say the health benefits more than justify a seven-figure price tag.
American’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Spokeswoman Cathryn Donaldson, however, told the Wall Street Journal that the price is a significant barrier.
“A therapy is useless if no one can afford it,” she said.
According to the report, Novartis said the drug would be cost-effective between $4 million – $5 million, but a report from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) said the drug should be priced below the $1.5 million mark.
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