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Donkees

(31,387 posts)
Wed May 8, 2019, 05:17 PM May 2019

Sanders Statement on FDA Approval of Drug to Treat Pediatric LEMS

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

WASHINGTON, May 8 – Senator Sanders released the following statement in response to news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved treatment for pediatric Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS), a rare neuromuscular disorder. In February, Sanders sent a letter to the CEO of Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, demanding an explanation for its decision to set the price of its drug, Firdapse, at $375,000 a year.

“This week marks a victory for patients with LEMS and American taxpayers, and a blow to the greed of Big Pharma. Suffering patients used to receive life-saving medication for free from Jacobus Pharmaceuticals—until a competitor, Catalyst, bought the rights to the drug, received market exclusivity, and started charging $375,000 a year to those in desperate need.

“I welcome the news that Jacobus Pharmaceuticals has now received approval for its product to treat pediatric LEMS. I urge Catalyst to respond by lowering its own outrageous prices. If not, Congress must act. No patients should worry about whether they will suffer or die just to increase the obscene profits of a pharmaceutical company.”

https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-fda-approval-of-drug-to-treat-pediatric-lems

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Sanders Statement on FDA Approval of Drug to Treat Pediatric LEMS (Original Post) Donkees May 2019 OP
that was bad news for Catalyst KayF May 2019 #1
I urge Catalyst Pharmaceuticals to respond to this FDA decision by lowering its own outrageous price Donkees May 2019 #2
BernieSanders will never take credit, but without his relentless pressure ... Donkees May 2019 #3
This price gouging is outrageous ZeroSomeBrains May 2019 #4

ZeroSomeBrains

(638 posts)
4. This price gouging is outrageous
Wed May 8, 2019, 09:54 PM
May 2019

It's a systematic problem with having capitalists involved in the pharmaceutical industry without any government controls on price. We need M4A so that we can provide the drugs and care needed by so many in this country who go without them due to cost.

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