E-drug: Thalidomide, access and price
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This week there was a major change in thalidomide access and price in
Norway. The manufacturer is the same (Penn Pharmaceuticals) but the
marketing has been taken over by Pharmion.
The supply has been cut short with a weeks notice to the wholesalers.
They have nothing in stock in Norway now, and we don't yet know when
it will be possible to obtain under the new regimen.
Both physician and pharmacist has to do an online registration (not
unreasonable). The patient has to be registered with full details
(both on person and diagnosis) online for every prescription. The
prescription has to be in writing, and must not be more than seven
days old, and not for more than thirty days supply. And the price,
the price has risen to about 300$ (to the wholesaler) for 28 tablets
of 50mg.
Thalidomide is a kind of symbol substance, but with such a regimen
and such prices it is only of academic interest that thalidomide may
have beneficial effects. It is not possible to maintain a longterm
continous treatment.
Pharmion seems to have obtained some kind of world monopoly on
thalidomide, and is squeezing as much juice as possible out of it.
I am wondering how such an old substance seems to be so strongly
trade protected.
Stein Lyftingsmo
Hospital Pharmacy of Elverum, Norway
www.lyftingsmo.no
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