Report Details AbbVie’s Substantial Drug Price Increases Amid Profiteering of US Patent System

May 28, 2021

A recent report details AbbVie’s drug price increases for two leading drugs: Humira and Imbruvica. Humira, used in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, has risen in price by 470% while oncology drug Imbruvica has increased by 82% since its arrival on the market. The United States faces higher price tags than the rest of the world for these drugs as criticism builds that AbbVie is exploiting the patent system to stop Humira biosimilars from entering the US market.

“In the 48-page report released ahead of AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez’s appearance on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform found that Humira is the nation’s top-selling drug “due in large part to AbbVie’s price increases.” Those costs have “placed significant strain on U.S. patients and their families” who have been left with greater out-of-pocket expenses…According to the congressional inquiry, AbbVie abused the U.S. patent system to block biosimilar competition for its top-selling Humira, including its settlements with competitors to delay their entry into the market until 2023.” Read more here.

(Source: Noah Higgins-Dunn, 5/18/21)

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