Hemgenix, a one-time treatment for adults with hemophilia B, was approved by the FDA on November 22, 2022. The list price of this gene therapy infusion is going to be $3.5 million per use.
This sets a record for the priciest single-use gene therapy in the United States. While this drug has serious sticker shock, David Rind, M.D., chief medical officer of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), explains that this one-time treatment is significantly less expensive than the lifelong costs associated with having hemophilia B.
Hemophilia B can lead to excessive bleeding that can cause serious health complications. In addition, those with hemophilia B need infusions as often as multiple times per week.
The estimated total lifelong cost of severe and moderately severe hemophilia B is between $20-$23 million. In comparison, the $3.5 million treatment, Hemgenix, would be a major cost savings.
Those of us in the Medicare space are concerned about what this kind of price tag will mean for the Medicare program. It is our understanding that the bulk of what the FDA approved will route through Medicare Part D, which will put a lot of pressure on this program.
Every year, there are many drugs approved that are high in price, and this will continue to strain the Medicare system and increase costs.
When there are new developments about Hemgenix and the impacts to the Medicare program, we'll be sure to update you. Like us on Facebook to see these timely updates.
Sincerely,
Steve Spinner
Director of Medicare Advantage Sales
