Amid growing congressional efforts to contain drug costs, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has accused Catalyst Pharmaceuticals (CPRX) of “fleecing” Americans and “immoral exploitation” by setting a “staggering” price for a recently approved drug used to treat a rare neuromuscular disorder.
In a blistering letter, Sanders accused Catalyst of “corporate greed” for charging a $375,000 list price for Firdapse, which is used to contain Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, or LEMS. Until December, patients could obtain an unapproved version for free from Jacobus Pharmaceuticals, a small, family-run company, thanks to a compassionate use program overseen by the Food and Drug Administration.
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Looks to me like some people at the FDA either did not do their homework on this issue or, perhaps, were influenced to not do their homework. Did they not know how cheaply is was being produced by compounding pharmacies and did they not know, from experience, that when a drug gets “orphan drug” status, its price goes through the roof?
Perhaps, Senator Sanders should be looking at the FDA and its decision making process regarding “orphan drug” status.
Sanders is one of the few elected representatives telling the truth. It is time to control the price gouging and outright fraud of the pharma industry.