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This tho: Orenitram won't be available for sale for about six months, the company said, and its exact price hasn't been determined either. But it will be very expensive, about $150,000 a year, according to an estimate by Dr. Mark Schoenebaum, an industry analyst with ISI.

$150k/yr? Is that really necessary?

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yes, it needs to cover the cost in development and getting it through approval.

however, this also establishes a market - a competitor will now either come with something cheaper or something better (for the same or higher price).

same thing is happening with Hep-C, which is now curable (boo, bad pharma). initial drug was/is super expensive, record profits for the company. every single contender is driving the price down. and there contenders as the market has been proven.

this is the capitalist system at work, in full glory. even with patents in play. amazing shit right there.

Yes. The R/D is expensive and there are many more failed drugs than those that make it to market.

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