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Pfizer raised prices by a hundred products a few weeks after US President Donald Trump claimed that the pharmaceutical industry was about to implement "huge" voluntary cuts.
The rising cost of drugs in the United States, Pfizer has increased the price of some of its best-known drugs, including Viagra, the treatment of erectile dysfunction, according to the figures that have seen the Financial Times. ]
The increases came into effect on July 1 and, in most cases, they exceeded 9%, well above the US inflation rate, which is about 2%.
In May 30 statements, Trump said that "some of the big pharmaceutical chains in two weeks will announce … huge price reductions in a untaria manner." Since then, no ads this has not been done, and it is unclear why Trump – who campaigned to reduce the price of drugs – predicted impending price reductions.
Pfizer, the largest independent pharmaceutical company in the United States, has reduced According to the figures, the prices of five products are between 16 and 44%.
"The latest increases indicate that everything is in a" normal situation "instead of the voluntary concessions that Trump has announced," added Michael. Rea, executive director of Rx Saving Solutions, which produces software that helps employers and health insurers reduce the amount they spend on prescription drugs.
The high cost of drugs in the United States in recent years has sparked public outrage and they have become a big problem for Trump, who last year accused the pharmaceutical industry to "get by with it". [196] 59002] This is the second time this year that Pfizer is increasing the price of many of its medications. Taking into account a series of increases implemented in January, the price of some drugs increased by almost 20% in 2018.
The average wholesale price of a Viagra pill 100 milligrams went from $ 73.85 at the beginning of $ 88.85 on July 1, an increase of 19.8%.
Although in December, the treatment of erectile dysfunction was competed with by cheaper generic alternatives, some patients and doctors prefer Pfizer's version. The company's website advises people to "ask the original brand, the little blue pill" when they consult their doctor.
Chantix, a drug that helps people quit smoking, has increased by 17%. year, while a bottle of Xalatan ophthalmic drops, against glaucoma, went from $ 89.38 to $ 107.05
Pfizer stated that current prices did not reflect what the Most patients and insurance companies pay, and insisted that the net price increase – which represents discounts and reimbursements – should be between "one and five percent".
"The current price remains unchanged for most of our medicines" the company said in a statement; "We changed the prices of 10% of our medicines, which included some cases in which we reduced the price."
Pfizer said recognize that the increase in direct expenses of patients affects the accessibility of drugs. drugs, and said that he is trying to ensure that discounts negotiated by insurers are transferred to patients. He said he had a set of financial aid programs for patients struggling to pay for their medications.
Practice in the United States to raise prices twice a year -10 percent in January and again in the summer.
However, in response to the heightened political scrutiny of the industry, many large companies raise their prices only once a year, in January, usually within a range of 6 and 9%, which means that annual inflation remains below 10%.
Several other pharmaceuticals also increased the price of their drugs on July 1, according to the figures they saw on FT including Acella Pharmaceuticals, which applied increases in 20 of his products.
Acorda Therapeutics increased the price of its multiple sclerosis drug by 9.5 per cent, to $ 53.85 per tablet, making the bottle of 60 tablets or more at a price of more than $ 3,000. Intercept has increased Ocaliva's price by 7 percent to $ 263.48 per pill or nearly $ 8,000 for a pack of 30 pills.
Acella, Acorda and Intercept did not respond to requests for comment.
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