Zolgensma – $2,125,000. Zolgensma received FDA approval in May 2019. It has remained the most expensive drug in the U.S., with a one-time cost of $2.1 million for a course of treatment.
In 2021, the total cost of the prescription drug Aflibercept cost the Australian government 443.73 million Australian dollars, making it the most expensive prescription drug in Australia. Aflibercept is commonly used to treat macular degeneration and metastatic colorectal cancer.
Aflibercept (Eylea) was the most expensive PBS treatment for a second consecutive year. The Australian government spent $55 million more on anti-VEGF macular disease therapies in 2020-21 compared to the previous year, with aflibercept (Eylea) maintaining its title as the costliest subsided drug in the country.
In total, the government spent $392 million (not including rebates) on aflibercept to cover 315,200 prescriptions, making it the most expensive PBS treatment. For ranibizumab, which ranked seventh by cost, it paid $218 million for 190,126 injections.
Total Gross Spending on The Top 10 Medicare Part D Drugs in 2021 Ranged from $2.6 Billion for Ozempic, a Diabetes Drug, to $12.6 Billion for Eliquis, a Blood Thinner. Five of the 10 top-selling Part D drugs in 2021 are diabetes drugs: Trulicity, Januvia, Jardiance, Lantus Solostar, and Ozempic.
Penicillin (1942)
It is estimated that Penicillin has saved between 80 million and 200 million lives and without its discovery and implementation, 75% of people today would not be alive because their ancestors would have succumbed to infection.
The cephalosporins are among the most expensive antibiotics in use today; thus, use of these expensive agents must be justified by lower toxicity, greater efficacy, or both in comparison with drugs of more reasonable cost.
$3.5-Million Hemophilia Gene Therapy Is World's Most Expensive Drug. On 22 November, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first gene therapy for the genetic blood-clotting disorder haemophilia B—a one-time treatment that costs US$3.5 million.
However, if you're enrolled in a Medicare drug plan (Part D), the plan may cover these drugs. Generally, your Medicare drug plan only covers prescription drugs and won't pay for over-the-counter drugs, like aspirin or laxatives.
Medicare covers the use of inhaled steroids. Bronchodilators are inhaled steroids that help ease symptoms and open your airways. The most popular bronchodilator medications are Formoterol, Salmeterol, and Salbutamol. Inhaled steroids are covered through Medicare Part D benefits.
Tier 1: Least expensive drug options, often generic drugs. Tier 2: Higher price generic and lower-price brand-name drugs. Tier 3: Mainly higher price brand-name drugs. Tier 4: Highest cost prescription drugs.
Common and Costly Chemotherapy Drugs
Depending on the drug and type of cancer it treats, the average monthly cost of chemo drugs can range from $1,000 to $12,000. If a cancer patient requires four chemo sessions a year, it could cost them up to $48,000 total, which is beyond the average annual income.
Xarelto is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn't come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Hemgenix. With a whopping $3.5 million price tag, CSL Behring and uniQure have the world's new most expensive drug in Hemgenix.
From 1 January 2023, you may pay up to $30.00 for most PBS medicines, or $7.30 if you have a concession card. The Australian Government pays the remaining cost (with the exception of brand premiums and certain other allowable charges).
How much am I charged for non-PBS items? If your medicine is not listed under the PBS Schedule, you will have to pay full price as a private prescription; it is not subsidised by the Commonwealth. Pharmacies may charge differently for these non-PBS medicines, so you may want to shop around to find the best price.