Bernie: 'something profoundly wrong' Exelan can raise the price of a generic HBP drug by 536%

[Donkees]

Link to tweet

In all, about 150 drugmakers raised prices on 866 products in the U.S. through Jan. 20, according to an analysis from Rx Savings Solutions, which sells software to help employers and health plans choose the least-expensive medicines.

Exelan Pharmaceuticals Inc. raised the price of its generic lisinopril to treat high blood pressure by 536% to a range of $6.17 to $549.85, depending on the dosage and package size.

Exelan President Brian Christensen said in an email that the price increase is only a placeholder that doesn’t reflect the price that purchasers will pay. Exelan only sells drugs to government agencies, which pay a price set under a national contract, he said.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-raised-prices-by-6-6-on-average-early-this-year-11643538782

[Vinca]

1. Holy shit. I wasn't aware of that. Both my husband and I take Lisinopril. That's outrageous.

It's a drug that's been around forever and has been an affordable option for the masses. Hope Bernie can spur Congress to do something about it. Better cheap pills than expensive stroke and heart attack victims.

[JohnSJ]

2. It is a complete distortion of reality. Even without insurance, you can buy lisinopril

(generic) for a 90 day supply for anywhere from $10 to $35 dollars.

https://www.goodrx.com/lisinopril?dosage=20mg&form=tablet&label_override=lisinopril&quantity=90&sort_type=popularity

No one pays that much money for generic lisinopril.

It has been out in the market since 1978

[Donkees]

3. 'Exelan President Brian Christensen said in an email that the price increase is only a placeholder'

Exelan President Brian Christensen said in an email that the price increase is only a placeholder that doesn’t reflect the price that purchasers will pay. Exelan only sells drugs to government agencies, which pay a price set under a national contract, he said.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-raised-prices-by-6-6-on-average-early-this-year-11643538782

[Vinca]

5. Thanks. I couldn't get past the paywall to read the whole thing.

[Donkees]

7. I just do a quick 'copy all' as their page is loading and then paste it here to read and edit

[Hav]

10. That sounds embarrassing for Bernie

He may often point to important issues but if he was just complaining about what turns out to be a placeholder, he didn't do his homework.

[Donkees]

11. Bernie knows what he's doing. He's focusing on pharma lobbyists blocking Build Back Better ...

...drug pricing provisions.

[Emile]

4. Predatory Capitalism

[JohnSJ]

6. No one pays 536 dollars for generic lisinopril. I don't know where they pulled that 549 figure out,

but generic lisinopril without insurance, costs anywhere from 5 to 35 dollars for a 3 month supply

https://www.goodrx.com/lisinopril?dosage=20mg&form=tablet&label_override=lisinopril&quantity=90&sort_type=popularity

[ornotna]

8. Free at the Publix pharmacy

They have a list of common genetic drugs that are free. Two of my pills are free. The reason I go there.

[JCMach1]

9. US consumers need to be paying same rate as international

Customers. The differences can be insane.