Humira’s Drug Formula: Start at a High Price, Go Higher

Re:Humira’s Drug Formula: Start at a High Price, Go Higher by manyxcxi on Monday January 08, 2018 @08:36AM (#16096576)

I take Remicaid, which has technically been on the market longer than Humira and still requires me to go in to an Infusion Center to get hooked up to an IV for 2hrs every 8 weeks. The ‘full price’ cost of my treatment: $16,000 just for the Remicaid.

They have a co-payment plan that, for the most needy, would effectively make the drug free. For me, my insurance gets billed a few thousand and I would have a $250 copay, which they pay.

It makes me wonder though, has anyone ever paid the full price, or is it just astronomically high to maximize the ‘charitable’ deduction side of their business?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Humira’s Drug Formula: Start at a High Price, Go Higher by blonky on Monday January 08, 2018 @01:12PM (#16098570)

I haven't had to pay full price. But, last year I had to pay 20% of the cost. It gets out of control fast since I have to take Remicade every 4 weeks. I was on the hook for about $6000. My bill was cut down because I qualified for charitable funds from my hospital.

It's shocking to see the bill before insurance pays it's share. I was getting bills for $25k. !!!

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Humira’s Drug Formula: Start at a High Price, Go Higher by cnewey on Monday January 08, 2018 @08:48AM (#16096659)

I can't speak for the US, but I've been told by the clinical specialists at my local hospital that Humira cost £400+ per pen (this was back in 2015). I don't think that AbbVie can offset any of that price as a charitable donation, so I guess that price must be what they actually charge.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Humira’s Drug Formula: Start at a High Price, Go Higher by kgwgk on Monday January 08, 2018 @09:10AM (#16096787)

Note that the list price in the US is way higher than that (over $2000). But list prices are not actual prices (the average discount may be around 25% for Humira).

[ Parent | on HN ]