In a groundbreaking move, a coalition of families affected by cystic fibrosis has partnered with a generic manufacturer to establish a buyer’s club aimed at providing affordable access to a generic version of Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ high-priced treatment, Trikafta. This initiative comes in response to the exorbitant annual cost of over $300,000 for the branded drug in the U.S., which has left many patients without viable options.
The newly formulated generic will be priced significantly lower, at $6,375 per year for children and $12,750 for adults, and will be produced by Beximco Pharmaceuticals, a Bangladesh-based company. This pricing strategy marks a critical shift in the landscape of cystic fibrosis treatment, potentially enabling broader access for patients in regions where financial barriers have previously hindered treatment.
Gayle Pledger, leader of the Right to Breathe campaign, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “We’ve watched children suffer and die while a treatment sat on the shelf, priced out of reach. Today, that changes. We’ve proven that patient power can change what billion-dollar corporations refuse to.” This initiative not only highlights the pressing need for affordable medications but also signals a growing trend of patient advocacy influencing pharmaceutical pricing and accessibility.
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