New Asthma and Diabetes Drugs Are Too Expensive, Independent Group Says

By Kelly Young

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review says that the price of the new asthma drug mepolizumab (Nucala) needs to be lowered by at least two thirds to be cost-effective for patients. Mepolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody to interleukin-5 approved for those aged 12 and older with severe eosinophilic asthma.

In its review, the group writes that the drug should cost between $7787 and $12,116 annually to reach the cost-effectiveness range of $100,000 to $150,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Its current list price is $32,500 per year.

In a separate review, the group says that the price of the new diabetes medication insulin degludec (Tresiba) would need to be discounted by 8%–10% — to $7006–$7154 annually — to be cost-effective.