An effective eye drug is available for $50. But many doctors choose a $2,000 alternative.
By Peter Whoriskey and Dan Keating, WashPost, Published: December 7
The two drugs have been declared equivalently miraculous. Tested side by side in six major trials, both prevent blindness in a common old-age affliction. Biologically, they are cousins. They’re even made by the same company.
But one holds a clear price advantage.
Avastin costs about $50 per injection.
Lucentis costs about $2,000 per injection.
Doctors choose the more expensive drug more than half a million times every year, a choice that costs the Medicare program, the largest single customer, an extra $1 billion or more annually.
(More here.)
The two drugs have been declared equivalently miraculous. Tested side by side in six major trials, both prevent blindness in a common old-age affliction. Biologically, they are cousins. They’re even made by the same company.
But one holds a clear price advantage.
Avastin costs about $50 per injection.
Lucentis costs about $2,000 per injection.
Doctors choose the more expensive drug more than half a million times every year, a choice that costs the Medicare program, the largest single customer, an extra $1 billion or more annually.
(More here.)
Powered by Blogger
1 Comments:
Medicare is not necessarily a bad program however, it does alter the free market (independent individuals who make their own choices). The $2,000 'alternative' is but one more example of the failed notion of central command and control.
Post a Comment
<< Home