ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The FDA just made a move that could prevent the next drug price gouger

The FDA published a list of more than 200 drugs that have fallen off patent and that the FDA hasn't received an application for a generic drug version.

The FDA just took a step that could increase competition and prevent price gouging on drugs that seemingly jump in price overnight.

In May, Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said he wanted to make it more difficult for drugs that are off patent to jack up the price of the medication because they don't face any competition. The biggest example of this was Daraprim, a decades-old drug that then-Turing CEO Martin Shkreli increased in price from $13.50 to $750 a pill.

To keep that from happening in the future, the FDA on Tuesday published a list of more than 200 drugs that have fallen off patent where the FDA hasn't received any applications for a generic drug version of that drug.

Before now, it wasn't too clear which drugs had generic alternatives and which didn't. That left room for drug companies to buy up those drugs without people noticing and quietly raise their prices. The list could help keep a closer eye on the pool of drugs without generic competition. Ideally, other companies could make generic alternatives to increase competion, lower prices, and keep the drugs from becoming the target of price hikes.

ADVERTISEMENT

"No patient should be priced out of the medicines they need, we must do our part to help patients get access to the treatments they require," Gottlieb said in a tweet. "Competition and access are foundational elements to continued pharmaceutical innovation, public health improvement," he said in a follow-up tweet.

The list includes everything from simple chemical compounds to antibiotics, and glucagon hydrochloride, an emergency diabetes drug that raises the level of blood sugar when it falls too low.

Here's the full list:

The FDA is responsible for regulating food and drugs. It's also responsible for regulating medical devices, blood donations, veterinary products, cosmetics, and tobacco. The FDA doesn't directly play a role in setting drug prices. Even so, Gottlieb has said there are a few main ways he thinks the agency can help.

  • for years

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT