Express Scripts to Offer $1 Daraprim Alternative
Express Scripts announced its plan to offer a $1 alternative to Daraprim, a generic drug used for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
On Dec. 1, 2015 Express Scripts announced its plan to partner with Imprimis Pharmaceuticals to create an inexpensive alternative to Daraprim, a 62-year-old generic drug used for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause death from foodborne illness in those with weakened immune systems. Daraprim is primarily used to treat patients with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV, cancer patients, and pregnant women.
Daraprim made headlines in September 2015, when Martin Shkreli, former hedge fund manager and current head of Turing Pharmaceuticals, hiked the price of the medication from $13.50 to $750 per pill. The hike spurred the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to send a letter to Shkreli, requesting information on the nearly 5000% increase.
In an interview with CBS News, Shkreli denied that that the company’s decision to raise the price of the drug was drastic.
“Well, it depends on how you define ‘so drastically,'” he said. “Because the drug was unprofitable at the former price, so anyone selling it would be losing money. And at this price it’s a reasonable profit. Not excessive at all.”
Express Scripts is now offering a compounded oral formulation of pyrimethamine, the same active ingredient as Daraprim, for $1 per capsule. The FDA prohibits exact replication of drugs like Daraprim, and this new formulation contains the addition of Vitamin B and leucovorin. The company says the drug will be processed as early as the beginning of December 2015 for patients.
In a press release, the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) said it is working with the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) to assist physicians in prescribing the Daraprim alternative. Physicians will be required to submit prescriptions for the new compound directly to Imprimis.
According to a report by New York Times, while the price of Daraprim has become a highly debated topic in the pharmaceutical industry, it is estimated that only approximately 2000 patients in the United States use Daraprim yearly. In 2014, there were only 350 patients that were prescribed Daraprim under Express Scripts plans.
Source: Express Scripts
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