This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
Life-changing medicines are now within reach for patients suffering from rare diseases, thanks to pharmaceutical companies' investment in orphan drugs. However, the high prices of these treatments, which can reach far beyond $1 million a year, pose a significant challenge to those who need them.
Reed Abelson and Katie Thomas, health care and drug industry experts, investigated the impact of these high prices on patients and their health plans. Their report, featured in 'The Weekly,' highlights the power imbalance between pharmaceutical companies and patients, leaving those who need these treatments with few options and little recourse.
As treatments for rare diseases become more available, the health care industry is racing to find ways to provide promising new drugs to many more people. However, the high costs associated with these treatments threaten to limit access to those who need them most.
Join the conversation about this issue on Twitter @theweekly and Instagram @theweekly.
