What are some of the most expensive drugs?

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Just kind of curious. I have a few things wrong and get pissed at buying medicine, especially when there are no generics. But, I'll save the ranting and woe-is-me for another time.

But what are the more expensive drugs out there (legal)?

The most expensive I've come across are ones used to treat Cystic Fibrosis

I've had some Zofran which is used to stop nausea, most expensive thing I know of that I've taken. $30 each, $900 a fill if no co-pays. Really a fantastic drug though. Mostly used for chemo patients, it's incredibly effective, and for most people has 0 side effects.

Anyways...outside of that, Tobi, for CF, is $2,700 for 28 days (take it 28 days, off 28 days, repeat). Linky

Anyone have something more expensive?

 

[PatboyX]

cancer drugs, in general. especially the newest that have yet to show proven results but have "potential" i cant remember the name but one i just read about was like 10k a month.

 

[DigDug]

Wow. Tobi causes hearing loss at usual doses!

Tracleer is another expensive drug.

 

[BurnItDwn]

hmmm ... it's been a few years since I worked in the pharmacy, but i do recall Temodar 250mg capsules as being one of the most expensive capsules we carried. They were about $450 per capsule at that time. (They are used for brain tumors)

Some Fertility drugs cost upwards of $1000 for a weeks worth of therapy (for the woman who wants to be pregnant, but just can't hack it on her own)
Some Immune system drugs are upwards of $1000 (used to treat AIDS patients)

I know there are more expensive drugs out there ... but I can't think of them off the top of my head

 

[MikePanic]

morphine is up there too

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Interlukin 2 (sp?)

 

[IcemanJer]

how about the cocktail for treating AIDS?

 

[acemcmac]

the ones people take that result in them wrecking expensive cars (do not operate heavy equip)?

 

[prvteye2003]

Originally posted by: MikePanic
morphine is up there too

no its not. Morphine only costs about .25 for a 10mg vial.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: prvteye2003

Originally posted by: MikePanic
morphine is up there too

no its not. Morphine only costs about .25 for a 10mg vial.

Man I wish I could get my hands on some morphine....

 

[PoPPeR]

hehe.

I had to pay $80 for 10 pills at Costco when my sister had some infection. I was pretty mad at the time.

 

[digitalsm]

most newer anti-psychotic drugs are expensive, $1500+ a month.

 

[prvteye2003]

I used to do the ordering of meds when working as a medic for the ambulance service. We bought the vials at .25 a piece and charged like 5.00 for their use.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: digitalsm
most newer anti-psychotic drugs are expensive, $1500+ a month.

Zyprexa was around 2000+ for a 30 day supply of 15mg back in 1999 I think. I believe it is till pretty expensive until a generic form comes out. Any new drug, AIDs drug, Cancer drug, or specialized drug for a disease if going to be expensive. If you don't have insurance you'll have to pay the insane prices or not be able to use the drug. Like you know some insurance companies won't cover all new drugs when used outside of what their normal usages are.

 

[Acanthus]

Acutane is $8 a pill.

 

[mdbound]

Tissue Plasminogen Activator. About $2500 per dose....usually only given once though, to open up clogged arteries in the brain or heart.

MD.

 

[Eli]

dear fscking lord.

No wonder (people that can) turn to illegal drugs(marijuana). It's cheap compared to that sh!t, and almost certainly safer. :Q

 

[Amused]

The more rare the need for the drug, the higher the price. The drug companies spend billions each year in R&D and need to recoup that cost. If only 5% of the country needs the drug, then that 5% have to shoulder the R&D cost, thus the drug is priced quite high.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Amused
The more rare the need for the drug, the higher the price. The drug companies spend billions each year in R&D and need to recoup that cost. If only 5% of the country needs the drug, then that 5% have to shoulder the R&D cost, thus the drug is priced quite high.

Yep.... still pretty insane though. :Q There's no way like what, 80% of Americans could afford some of that stuff?.... at least without going into some major debt.

And don't get me wrong, I am very greatful to the scientists that spend their lives in the search for medicine. As should everybody be.

 

[Atlantean]

Originally posted by: Eli
dear fscking lord.

No wonder (people that can) turn to illegal drugs(marijuana). It's cheap compared to that sh!t, and almost certainly safer. :Q

I don't think thats why people smoke the reefer...

 

[OutHouse]

when my dad had leukemia the doc wrote a scrip once for some new anti-viral drug for him to take when they released him to go home for ThanksGiving 2002. I went into the pharmacy to pick it up and it was just over $500.00 a pill. He had to take two a day for the 4 days he was out of the hosipital.

It's all a scam. :|

 

[Atlantean]

Originally posted by: Citrix
when my dad had leukemia the doc wrote a scrip once for some new anti-viral drug for him to take when they released him to go home for ThanksGiving 2002. I went into the pharmacy to pick it up and it was just over $500.00 a pill. He had to take two a day for the 4 days he was out of the hosipital.

It's all a scam. :|

Consider the fact that most new drugs cost around a $800 million to develop, then ask why they cost so much.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Atlantean

Originally posted by: Eli
dear fscking lord.

No wonder (people that can) turn to illegal drugs(marijuana). It's cheap compared to that sh!t, and almost certainly safer. :Q

I don't think thats why people smoke the reefer...

That isn't what I meant.

There are people that use it for legitimate medical reasons.

People who have AIDS, for example. There is no better appetite stimulant known to man.

 

[Atlantean]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Atlantean

Originally posted by: Eli
dear fscking lord.

No wonder (people that can) turn to illegal drugs(marijuana). It's cheap compared to that sh!t, and almost certainly safer. :Q

I don't think thats why people smoke the reefer...

That isn't what I meant.

There are people that use it for legitimate medical reasons.

People who have AIDS, for example. There is no better appetite stimulant known to man.

hehe aah the memories

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Atlantean

Originally posted by: Citrix
when my dad had leukemia the doc wrote a scrip once for some new anti-viral drug for him to take when they released him to go home for ThanksGiving 2002. I went into the pharmacy to pick it up and it was just over $500.00 a pill. He had to take two a day for the 4 days he was out of the hosipital.

It's all a scam. :|

Consider the fact that most new drugs cost around a $800 million to develop, then ask why they cost so much.

Exactly. It amazes me that the people who are most upset about drug prices never even TRY to objectively find out why they are priced anywhere near as high as they are. Wait... that's probably why they are upset.

In this case, ignorance is far from bliss.