Why does the NIH think it’s okay for one prostate cancer treatment to cost nearly $200,000?
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
Xtandi is a frequently prescribed medication for treating prostate cancer. It costs a staggering $189,800.
You read that right: for one medication, Astellas Pharmaceuticals is charging a wholesale price of $189,800.
Even with insurance, copays can range as high as $10,000 or more.
What’s even worse: Taxpayers funded the development of this drug. We already paid for it―but Astellas is charging a fortune because patients have no choice but to pay or let cancer consume them.
A group of prostate cancer patients objected to that outrageous and unreasonable price, asking the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use the government’s legal authority to allow generic manufacturing of Xtandi to create a low-cost alternative.
These ‘march-in rights’ are part of the deal when accepting federal funds. The law is there to counterbalance the public interest against Big Pharma’s greed.
But in a breath-taking giveaway to Big Pharma, the NIH just said no.
Broken promises are not enough. It’s time for a new way of doing business at the NIH.
Sponsored by
.png)
To:
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
From:
[Your Name]
The NIH’s decision on Xtandi is a disaster for prostate cancer patients. You must review this appeal immediately. Further, we demand big changes at the NIH to stop these Big Pharma giveaways!