Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines Face Scrutiny Over Sky-High Prices

The recent FDA approval of Amgen's Repatha has brought attention to the prices of cholesterol-lowering medicines, with Amgen's new treatment and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi's Praluent costing patients over $14,000 per year. The high prices of these medications pose a significant challenge for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited disease that causes high levels of LDL cholesterol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 600,000 individuals die from heart diseases in the US, highlighting the need for affordable and effective treatments.

Key Takeaways:

• The FDA has approved Amgen's Repatha, a cholesterol-lowering medicine, despite concerns over its high price tag.
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi's Praluent is another newly launched cholesterol-lowering medicine that costs over $14,000 per year.
• The target population for these medications is large, but the prices are too high for some patients.
• Amgen and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have signaled their willingness to work with payers to address the issue of high costs.
• John Jenkins, director of the Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, views the FDA's approval of Repatha as an additional option for people with high levels of LDL cholesterol.
• Cardiovascular disease is a significant public health concern in the US, with over 600,000 individuals dying from heart diseases annually.

Statistics:

• The FDA has approved Repatha, a cholesterol-lowering medicine, to treat familial hypercholesterolemia.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 600,000 individuals die from heart diseases in the US annually.
• The cost of Amgen's Repatha is over $14,000 per year, making it inaccessible to some patients.
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi's Praluent has a similar price point to Repatha.

Sources:

• "US FDA Approves Repatha, Amgen's New Cholesterol-Lowering Medicine" - FDA (no date)
• "Regeneron, Sanofi's Praluent, a Cholesterol-Busting Drug, Wins FDA Approval" - Bloomberg (no date)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (no date)