Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs

Biography

Biography: Anne Marie Finley

Abstract

Drug prices in the United States are higher than anywhere else in the world. Orphan products have long been perceived as pricier than many other drugs by payers, manufacturers and consumers. The Affordable Care Act’s expansion of insurance coverage and pharmaceutical benefits, along with a growing resistance to higher priced therapies, have added to the pharmaceutical pricing stress on the healthcare system and ultimately rare disease patients. Innovative responses to the current pharmaceutical pricing crisis have been developed by some drug companies, patient organizations, payers, regulators and legislators. The new Congress and new Administration have a number of options and opportunities by which to address pricing concerns in 2017.