Drug-Price Hikes

New York–based Turing Pharmaceuticals recently caught flak for buying an old medication (the drug Daraprim, used to treat a dangerous parasite) and dramatically raising its price to make a profit–from $13.50 to $750 per pill. Although Turing reversed course, a health care industry group cites other examples to show such hikes are becoming common.

DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE

Common antibiotic

4¢ per tablet in 2013

$3.70 per tablet in 2014

+ 8,281%

ALBUTEROL SULFATE

Used to treat asthma

11¢ per tablet in 2013

$4.34 per tablet in 2014

+ 4,014%

GLYCOPYRROLATE

Used to treat irregular heartbeats during surgery

$6.50 per vial in 2013

$127.70 per vial in 2014

+ 2,728%

DIGOXIN

Used to treat irregular heartbeats and heart failure

11¢ per tablet in 2012

$1.10 per tablet in 2014

+ 884%

DIVALPROEX SODIUM ER

Used to prevent migraines and certain seizures

39¢ per tablet in 2013

$2.93 per tablet in 2014

+ 736%

PRAVASTATIN SODIUM

Used to treat high cholesterol and prevent heart disease

5¢ per tablet in 2013

39¢ per tablet in 2014

+ 573%

Percentages reflect price reporting variations noted in study

SOURCES: U.S. GOVERNMENT; HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN ASSOCIATION