9 of the Most Expensive Drugs in the World

Could you afford a $700,000 treatment each year? We’re covering 9 of the most expensive medications modern medicine has to offer, and what it’s supposed to help cure.

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Medicine can be incredibly costly, and some drugs reach staggering prices that can leave anyone in shock. In this article, we will explore the top 9 most expensive drugs in the world, revealing their costs and the conditions they treat. From life-saving treatments to rare diseases, these medications often sit on the cutting edge of medicine – and carry price tags to match.

9. Luxturna

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Luxturna is another gene therapy, specifically for a rare form of inherited vision loss known as Leber congenital amaurosis. Priced at approximately $850,000, this treatment aims to restore vision by delivering a healthy copy of the RPE65 gene directly to retinal cells. Patients have reported significant improvements in their vision, making it a groundbreaking option in ophthalmology.

8. Folotyn

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Folotyn, or pralatrexate, is used to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer. With a cost of about $800,000, this drug works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Its high price reflects the complexity of cancer treatments and the ongoing need for innovative therapies in oncology.

7. Actimmune

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Actimmune is an interferon used to treat chronic granulomatous disease and severe osteopetrosis. At a price of $600,000, it helps boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections. This medication is vital for patients with these rare conditions, emphasizing the importance of specialized treatments.

6. Myalept

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Myalept is a leptin replacement therapy for patients with generalized lipodystrophy, a rare disorder that affects fat distribution in the body. Costing around $400,000, it helps manage metabolic complications associated with the disease. The drug’s high price reflects the rarity of the condition and the specialized nature of the treatment.

5. Kymriah

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Kymriah is a CAR T-cell therapy used to treat certain types of blood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia. With a price tag of $373,000, this innovative treatment involves modifying a patient’s own T-cells to better attack cancer cells. The personalized nature of this therapy contributes to its high cost, but it has shown remarkable success in many cases.

4. Yescarta

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Similar to Kymriah, Yescarta is another CAR T-cell therapy, but it is used for adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma. Priced at $373,000, it also involves re-engineering T-cells to target cancer. The effectiveness of these therapies has revolutionized cancer treatment, despite their steep prices.

3. Soliris

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Soliris is used to treat rare blood disorders such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. At a cost of $500,000 per year, it works by inhibiting the complement system, which can cause severe complications in these conditions. The drug’s high price reflects its critical role in managing life-threatening diseases.

2. Brineura

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Brineura is a treatment for a rare genetic disorder called Batten disease. With a cost of $700,000 per year, it is administered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid to slow the progression of the disease. This innovative approach highlights the challenges and costs associated with treating rare neurological conditions.

1. Zolgensma

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Topping the list is Zolgensma, which we mentioned earlier. This groundbreaking gene therapy not only has a staggering price of $2.1 million but also represents a significant advancement in the treatment of genetic disorders. Its one-time administration offers a potential cure for SMA, making it a beacon of hope for affected families.

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