Category: Healthcare finance

With a list price of over $2 million per dose, Zolgensma is one of the most expensive medications in the world. This staggering cost raises a critical question for families affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): who pays for Zolgensma? The answer involves a complex combination of health insurance coverage, manufacturer assistance programs, and innovative payment models.

In 2019, the FDA's approval of the gene therapy Zolgensma sent shockwaves through the healthcare world with a $2.125 million price tag per dose. This made the treatment for spinal muscular atrophy famously known as 'what is the 2 million dollar pill,' sparking widespread debate about the cost of revolutionary medicine.

While there is no single majority owner, major institutional investors collectively hold significant controlling stakes in most publicly traded pharmaceutical companies. The question, 'Who owns most of Big Pharma?', doesn't have a simple answer, as the ownership is distributed among thousands of shareholders, with a handful of large investment firms exercising considerable influence.

According to GoodRx, its coupon prices are better than insurance copays for 40% of the 100 most-prescribed drugs. This surprising statistic often leaves consumers wondering: why is it cheaper to use GoodRx than insurance for so many prescriptions?