Reply to 3526901 (PB)
Here is an example of why big Pharma does not want price clarity.
Look at what happened to this specialty drug Acthar gel
price went from $40 in 2001 for a vial of this drug to $34,000 in 2014.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallinckrodt
Mallinckrodt has two main product lines.[30]
Specialty Pharmaceuticals products include branded drugs as well as specialty generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Products include biologics, medicinal opioids, synthetic controlled substances, and acetominophen.
Medical Imaging products include contrast media and radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging applications.
In the fourth quarter of 2014, Specialty Pharmaceuticals accounted for 74% of net sales. Key specialty pharmaceutical products include[30]
Acthar gel, an injectable biopharmaceutical used for the treatment of infantile spasms, acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, and certain orphan diseases. Mallinckrodt acquired this product via its acquisition of Questcor Pharmaceuticals in 2014.[31] When Questcor acquired the drug in 2001 it sold for $40 a vial; within a year of the acquisition Questcor raised the price of the drug to $1,500 per vial and to $28,000 by 2013.[32] In 2013, Questcor acquired the US rights to a competing product, Synacthen Depot, from Novartis.[32] In 2014 Mallinckrodt raised the price of Acthar further to $34,000.[33]
The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from five states sued Mallinckrodt for anti-competitive behavior with regard to the acquisition of Synacthen Depot and the monopolistic pricing of Acthar, and in January 2017 the company settled, agreeing to pay $100 million and to license Synacthen Depot to a competitor.[31]
Offirmev is a proprietary IV formulation of acetominophen used in conjunction with opioid painkillers in the post surgical setting.
Xartemis XR is a controlled release oral combination of acetominophen and oxycodone for the treatment of acute pain.
Exalgo is a once-daily, long-acting form of hydromorphone, another pain drug.
Key generic specialty products include:[30]
Hydrocodone API and tablets
Oxycodone API and tablets
Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended release tablets
Dextroamphetamine sulfate controlled release tablets
Other controlled substances, including acetominophen-containing products