A key trial released over the weekend of Praluent, the cholesterol-lowering drug developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi, likely impacted the recent decision to lower the drug’s price.
The drug, which was originally priced at $14,000 for a year’s treatment, will be priced between $4,500-$8,000, according to the drugmakers.
According to a report on the Chicago Tribune, the trial found the treatments reduced cardiovascular complications by 15 percent, which missed the 20-percent mark market analysts predicted would lead to broader insurance coverage.
“Maybe price before was for an aspiration of benefit that did not materialize,” Yale University Cardiologist and Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation Director Dr. Harlan Krumholz said. “(The) benefit for this population for the class of drugs seems clearer. Now for the proper pricing. And Coverage.”
Regeneron, according to the Tribune’s report, reached the new price after working with the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER).
“The drug pricing landscape and companies’ approaches to it is very different that it was a few years ago,” ICER Founder and President Steven Pearson said. “They think true strategic success for the pharmaceutical industry is going to mean that they will have to master value-based pricing.
To read more on the latest move by Regeneron and Sanofi, click here.
