Aerosolized ribavirin: the most expensive drug for pneumonia

Transpl Infect Dis. 2016 Aug;18(4):634-6. doi: 10.1111/tid.12551. Epub 2016 Jul 5.

Abstract

Dramatic, overnight cost increases of important orphan and generic medications have recently come under public and government scrutiny. We highlight the case of aerosolized ribavirin, an important antiviral agent in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which, because of substantial price increases, may now cost more than the transplant procedure itself.

Keywords: average wholesale price; cost; hematologic malignancy; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; pediatrics; respiratory syncytial virus.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adult
  • Aerosols
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / economics*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Drug Costs*
  • Drug Industry / ethics
  • Drugs, Generic / economics*
  • Drugs, Generic / therapeutic use
  • Economics, Hospital / ethics
  • Health Policy / economics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / economics
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Orphan Drug Production / economics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage
  • Ribavirin / economics*
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Drugs, Generic
  • Ribavirin