By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress disorder
    5 Ways To Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    October 27, 2021
    Medical device classification and development strategies
    Medical device classification and development strategies
    January 19, 2022
    varicose veins
    Varicose Veins Prevention: 3 Lifestyle Changes to Make Right Now
    May 1, 2022
    Latest News
    6 Essential Strategies for Improving Your Medical Practice
    January 25, 2023
    Staying Positive While Living with Mesothelioma
    January 24, 2023
    The Many Health Benefits of Being Outdoors
    January 17, 2023
    How to Assess a Safe Placement of a Nasogastric or Nasoenteric Tube and Its Complications
    January 19, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    9 Great Resources For Your Medical Assistant Training
    August 16, 2018
    Waiting for HIPAA Clarity? Who Has Time?
    September 19, 2014
    Topics You Need To Study And Prepare For When Taking The NCLEX
    August 12, 2020
    Latest News
    Simplifying the Genetic Testing Process: How At-Home Kits are Changing the Game
    January 25, 2023
    9 Hospitals That Have Introduced Green Initiatives
    January 25, 2023
    Why a Health Retreat Can Be the Best Medicine
    January 12, 2023
    Best Money-Saving Tips for Health Managers
    January 12, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Four reasons Praluent is not Sovaldi
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Latest News
ABA therapist
Everything You Need to Know About Applied Behavior Analysis
Health
Small Lifestyle Changes That Can Have A Big Impact On Your Well-Being
lifestyle Wellness
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
Technology
medical practice and technology advancement
6 Essential Strategies for Improving Your Medical Practice
Technology
digital dental x-ray
How Does A Digital Dental X-Ray Work?
Dental health
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Uncategorized > Four reasons Praluent is not Sovaldi
Uncategorized

Four reasons Praluent is not Sovaldi

DavidEWilliams
Last updated: 2015/07/27 at 12:04 PM
DavidEWilliams
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
Watch out budget busters!

Watch out budget busters!

Watch out budget busters!

Watch out budget busters!

More Read

changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare

What is the Future of Blockchain Technology in the Healthcare Sector?

6 Foods That Can Improve Your Autoimmune System
Essential Steps to Take to Recover from a Slip and Fall Injury
The role of digital therapy in changing the future of healthcare
Healthcare Services You Can Receive From the Comfort of Your Home

From the New York Times (New Drug Sharply Lowers Cholesterol, But it’s Costly)

Praluent, which analysts project will become a huge seller, is expected to become the next flashpoint in the growing controversy of escalating pharmaceutical prices, and health plans are expected to put in place strict measures to control which patients can use the drug and prevent it from becoming a budget buster.

This story and similar ones say Praluent may be like Sovaldi, an expensive Hepatitis C drug that has driven up healthcare costs over the past year or so. According to this narrative, health plans and pharmacy benefits managers are gearing up to do battle with the manufacturer and have learned their lesson from the Sovaldi experience. Maybe the payers will do a better job of managing Praluent expenses –I assume they can devise something better than whining about the expense to the general public while simultaneously rallying against price controls. But when the Praluent crisis is “averted” don’t let the payers pat themselves on the back too much.

I see four main reasons why Praluent will not be as much of a “budget buster” as Sovaldi:

  1. Praluent doesn’t cure anything
  2. There are good alternatives for most patients
  3. Praluent is an injection
  4. Praluent will have competition from the start

1. Praluent doesn’t cure anything

Sovaldi cures Hepatitis-C in something like 90 percent of patients. You can quibble with the numbers if you like, but the fact is this is a cure for many people who have waited for one –in many cases for decades. Take it for three months and you’re done with the drug and the illness.

What does Praluent do? It lowers cholesterol dramatically. Does it prevent heart attacks or strokes? No one knows, and we won’t have evidence about that for a couple years at least. In any case I’m sure it won’t cure heart attacks or strokes and I doubt it will reduce their likelihood by anything approaching 90 percent. And patients will have to keep using the drug indefinitely.

2. There are good alternatives for most patients

Statins work well and are available as inexpensive generics. Starting on a statin or increasing statin dosage is an option for most patients, including those who have already had a stroke or heart attack. A smaller group has a genetic condition that can’t be addressed by statins. Praluent sounds like a good choice for them.

3. Praluent is an injection

Sovaldi comes in a pill. It’s easy to swallow. Same with statins.

Praluent is an injection. Ouch. Sure it only has to be done twice a month and you can do it yourself, but who really likes a needle? I expect patients to want to try statins first.

4. Praluent will have competition from the start

Sovaldi was on the market for about a year before an (arguably inferior) competitive offering was introduced. That gave Gilead a big first-mover advantage, especially important for a drug people had been awaiting for a long time and then only needed to take for three months.

It appears that Repatha, a similar drug to Praluent, will come to market about the same time, with others to follow. Competitive pressures should keep prices in check.

5. The name evokes something nasty

I know I promised only four reasons, but I have fifth. The name reminds me too much of Soylent, the disgusting meal replacement product.

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
—

By healthcare business consultant David E. Williams, president of Health Business Group.

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
DavidEWilliams July 27, 2015
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Warning! Cell Phones Can Kill You!
Next Article Product target calculation Measure What You Manage, With Caveats: Thoughts on Surgeon Ratings

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

ABA therapist
Everything You Need to Know About Applied Behavior Analysis
Health January 26, 2023
Small Lifestyle Changes That Can Have A Big Impact On Your Well-Being
lifestyle Wellness January 26, 2023
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
The Future Of Medicine: How Immunotherapy Is Saving Lives
Technology January 26, 2023
medical practice and technology advancement
6 Essential Strategies for Improving Your Medical Practice
Technology January 25, 2023

You Might also Like

clinical trial
Uncategorized

Clinical Trials and the Time it Takes to Complete Them

August 31, 2022
choose the right software to develop healthcare apps
Uncategorized

Choosing the Best Software for Developing Healthcare Applications

July 25, 2022

California Medicare Coverage

July 12, 2022
managing alcohol addiction
Uncategorized

Tips to Create a Plans To Stay the Course of Sobriety

May 26, 2022
Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?