There are many cases when the development of scientists, carried out on the basis of new discoveries, which make it possible to successfully fight diseases considered incurable. But more often than not, it does not come to the industrial production of such drugs. The cost of making them interferes.
For example, you can recall the problem with gene therapy, which has been developing quite rapidly lately. In the course of the work, the drug "Kymriah" was created, which is able to cope with a number of forms of oncology in the blood and bone marrow. However, the full course will require $ 475,000. The question arises - will effective drugs created in the future also have a similar cost?
"Kymriah".
Of course, some billionaire can pay that amount. But for most people, it will simply not be lifting. The Internet portal “New Atlas” became interested in the problem of the cost of such drugs. His journalists managed to stumble upon the announcement of the dosage form "Luxturna", which can cope with a rare form of inherited disease. It is about damage to the retina of the eye. The developed medicine restores the retina, vision returns. However, the price of the drug is such that even experienced specialists have to be surprised. For the full course of treatment, you need to pay 850 thousand dollars.
The activities of the pharmaceutical industry are sometimes just puzzling
Medicines are needed. The companies involved in their development and production incur huge costs, sometimes reaching billions of US dollars, to create a good drug, develop it, and conduct all the necessary research. That is, they take all possible measures to restore health to people, to save them. But it happens that some drugs are sold several times more expensive than their cost, together with all the costs that occur in the chain from developers to manufacturing plants and then to pharmacies and hospitals. Those who created Luxturna know that there are few people who can pay 850 thousand dollars at once. In their press release, they offer to purchase the drug with an installment plan or a loan.
Stuart Orkin is the head of the pediatric oncology department at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
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By the way, the company offers various options for which discounts are provided. It is directly dependent on the effectiveness of the treatment process. So, if it turns out that the medicine will not be able to restore vision, or it will not give any effect within a period from a month to three, then a partial reimbursement of the client's costs will follow.
Of course, such prices for medicines can be called frightening. But when it comes to health, and even life, price no longer plays a major role. Therefore, everyone who has the slightest opportunity to do this will agree to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for something that will restore health, save life.
To cure some diseases, approximately 300 thousand are required throughout the year. An example is hemophilia. With her, you need to be treated all your life. So, in comparison with the total amount, 850 thousand is not so scary.
Another situation can be called terrible. It may happen that scientists will find a way to cure what is now recognized as incurable. However, in this case, the speech will no longer be about hundreds of thousands, but about hundreds of millions of dollars, or even billions. This means that no one but a handful of billionaire wealthy people will be able to benefit from expensive treatment.