When Biogen received regulatory approval last month to sell the Spinraza rare disease drug, the company surprised Wall Street by setting a price that few expected — $750,000 for the first year of treatment and $375,000 each year thereafter. At the time, at least one analyst suggested the price tag amounted to “sticker shock” that may cheer investors, but also invite criticism amid growing outrage over drug pricing.
Already, the scrutiny has begun.
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This is not a WMD, it’s a therapy. There is no compelling national interest for the government to start seizing the intellectual property it wants to. Shouldn’t we be thankful that Tim Berners-Lee (or the true inventor Al Gore) didn’t patent the internet after they invented it. They could have licensed it to the Government, and then then the government would control the content and revenues derived therefrom. If such were the case we could change our name to China.
Thanks for the article. Just wanted to note the spelling of Spiranza v. Spinraza
Hi Casey,
I believe Spinraza is the correct spelling…
http://media.biogen.com/press-release/neurodegenerative-diseases/us-fda-approves-biogens-spinraza-nusinersen-first-treatment
Regards,
ed