Article from San Diego Union-Tribune about generic biologics


http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stori.../?zIndex=67298

Interesting, River. I never considered the difference between Generic and Biosimilar medicines before. The savings in cost, probably won't be great at first, but, any savings would be welcome.

Thanks..

Good article, the cost savings would be fairly small since clinical trial would be required for approval. I am curious though, what is he taking that cost $7000 per month?

Not sure since I couldn't remember what the autoinjectors look like for the different drugs, but it looked like a Copaxone autoject to me.

Every insurance company and drugstore charges a different price. Just ask Vic!

It could be that his doc put him on Copaxone and the insurance only covers the interferons. I know when I was on Copaxone, they wanted me to do the fail on interferons first and my doc took care of that in short order, and I was able to do the Copaxone without interferons first.

There's no rhyme or reason to their pricing!

I don't know, maybe they should just regulate the profits that can be made on these drugs, but let the manufacturers keep the patent.

I mean why waste money testing another version when that money could go to r&d on other drug options.

A lot of consumables are regulated, like petrol, natural gas, etc. Just put a cap on how much they can gouge.

Cherie

yep, that is a copaxone auto injector, but he speaks of an interferon drug that his MD has him on. Maybe the reason his costs are 7k a month is that he is on two DMDs?? That would make more sense.

I have some troubles with meds when they change from brand name to generic. The problem is not with the active ingredient. its with the buffers, fillers, and colors they use. They sometimes cut cost and use far less superior ingredients to get it to market at a lower cost. I have been known to have rashes, and wheezing from the generic, but not from the brand. I want cheaper ways to get my meds, but I dont want to be sicker. Im torn.

I heard a good explanation about the cost of drugs from Bill Clinton on Larry King (Sanjay Gupta was sitting in for LK)

He said the US allows the drug companies to average their R&D costs into the drugs and charge the American consumer more than they charge ROW.

The US reaps the tax benefits from the profits, because the companies are located here or have to partner with an American drug company to file with the FDA for approval.

That is why the US consumer pays so much more than ROW.