Acorda annouces pricing AMPYRA

[Bear2]

Formally called Fampridine-SR is now called AMPYRA and priced according to the ms drug method of $$$$.



http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix ... highlight=



Jim

[CureOrBust]

very interesting. I used to pay around $100 (approx from memory) for around 2 months supply (100 capsules at 1-2 a day) of compounded slow release 4-AP capsules.

Does the release of this medication in anyway stop or hinder compounding pharmacies from providing their product?

[Bear2]

I don't think so.

[Frank]

@cure:
Is the pharmacy-compounded product chemically exactly the same as the now approved AMPYRA?

If so, how was ACORDA able to get a patent on it, when its an already known and used compound?
But if they have got a patent then I would suspect this would prohibit the production of 4-AP by any other party (including pharmacists).

Thanks
--Frank

[Algis]

"Acorda's goal is to ensure that cost is not a barrier to any person with MS who may benefit from this important medication, regardless of their level of income or healthcare coverage," said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics.

That's a joke?

A 1,000 bucks a month...

They really take us as the milking cow

[Frank]

I really wonder how they are going to generate adequate sales volume.

I regard my health insurance as to be pretty good (private health insurance in germany) but I rather doubt that they are willing to cover a moderately effective symptomatic drug to improve my gait for 1000 $/month.
Individuals who are able/willing to pay that ammount of money out of their pocket will also be hard to find.

Eventually they will certainly find some people / insurances that would cover the cost but I do think they could reach much higher overall sales in USD if they offered their drug for - lets say - 100 USD/month, because I assume many more people / insurances would accept it then.

--Frank