New analysis shows median net price of recently launched drugs rose sharply last year
A recent study found the median net price for 202 newly launched medicines jumped 35% to $257,000 last year, while list prices increased 24% to $293,000.
An analysis by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review together with West Health examined pricing trends for 202 medicines launched recently. When inflation and manufacturer discounts were accounted for, the median net price reached $257,000, representing a 35% increase from the prior year’s $173,000. The median list price, also inflation-adjusted, grew 24% to $293,000.
Roughly 25% of the new drugs carried an annual net price above $500,000, while 34% were priced between $200,000 and $500,000. The report notes that list prices normally exceed net prices because discounts are subtracted, but it does not assess the reasons behind differing discount levels. These findings highlight the continuing upward pressure on prescription drug costs.
