With the best-selling osteoporosis drug Fosamax on trial amid allegations that it causes “jaw death” in patients, you might think healthcare consumers would rejoice at the prospect of a new alternative to Fosamax on the market.
You might think that — until you look at the price.
The new drug, Amgen’s Prolia (denosumab), is up for approval by an FDA advisory committee this week. The aspect of Prolia that has received the most attention is that it is a product of biotechnology. It is a new class of drug, a “fully human monoclonal antibody” designed to target a protein that causes bone loss.
Studies indicate that it works as well as or slightly better than Fosamax and other bisphosphonates, such as Actonel and Boniva.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
The drug “does everything you would want a drug to do in women to prevent fractures,” said Dr. John S. Adams, an orthopedic surgeon at UCLA’s Geffen School of Medicine…
“This appears to be the most potent of the osteoporosis drugs,” [said Dr. Frederick R.] Singer … director of the endocrine/bone disease program at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica.
That’s the good news. Now the bad news: the price.
Amgen, the manufacturer of denosumab, has not said how much the drug will cost, but analysts expect it to be at least $2,000 a year — and potentially much higher — and predict yearly sales of $2 billion to $3 billion.
Already, many insurance companies are pushing physicians to the generic version of Fosamax, alendronate, which costs about $100 a year.
Keep in mind also that, in all likelihood, insurance companies will not cover Prolia with a simple copay, but instead will require patients to pay for a significant percentage of the cost of the drug out of pocket.
The backstory here is that Amgen has been touting Prolia as a new “blockbuster drug” to Wall Street for some time now. And Wall Street has rewarded Amgen handsomely. As BusinessWeek reports:
Wall Street has set an exceptionally high bar for Amgen (AMGN)’s new bone-loss treatment. Shares of the world’s largest biotechnology company have jumped 27% in the past three months, to 60, largely on news of clinical trials that showed the drug is as at least as effective, and sometimes better, than standard osteoporosis treatments when it comes to preventing and treating dangerous fractures.
Wall Street is expecting a windfall, and Amgen will price Prolia to deliver that windfall. Which means the drug won’t be such a windfall for healthcare consumers.
19 responses so far ↓
1 Mary R Stauffer MD // Aug 15, 2009 at 1:39 pm
What is the product do, osteoblastic? osteoclastic inhibitor? Calcium depositor? Or?
2 Walter // Dec 18, 2009 at 11:53 am
A new drug is great news! I am a 54 y/o man w/ severe osteoporosis. It is unfortunate that the price is so high. Another example of the GREED that drives corporations nowadays and that is also driving the “health care overhaul” in the US! What happened to the concept of people helping out others to make life better for all of us?
3 Jean Danley // Aug 27, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I have been taken off of Fosamax as I have been on it for over 12 years. My Doctor first prescribed Forteo, which is a daily injection for 2 years. I refused due to the cost of the drug. He then prescribed Prolia. Which is an injection twice a year. Is the a time frame for Prolia, such as 2 years like Forteo? What is the difference in the cost of Prolia and Forteo? Whick of these treatments is the best?
4 Elizabeth smith // Aug 28, 2010 at 11:02 pm
I have Rhumatoid arthritis and food and preservative allergies. I’m worried about Prolia injection side affects.
5 Jean Danley // Sep 15, 2010 at 12:25 pm
My question is posted above, but I have received no answer to my question. The only thing I have heard is that Forteo builds bone as well as prevents bone loss and Prolia only prevents loss. Is this correct? Oh, and Forteo is much much more expensive.
6 ann b // Sep 23, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Jean, Prolia has no time frame…patients have been taking it since 2004 in the clinical trials, and it costs less than Forteo. It will increase your bone density and prevent fractures.
7 Rena Solomon // Sep 25, 2010 at 1:09 pm
does Prolia have Bioshofonates
8 Marilyn A. Hatfield // Nov 2, 2010 at 8:04 pm
How much does prolia cost?
9 Stephanie Brody // Dec 29, 2010 at 4:43 am
I am thinking about
taking Prolia injections but would
like to hear from some women who have
already been treated
with this drug to find out about any side effects they have experienced. Please write to me at accesssteph@yahoo.com.
10 Joyce Murph // Feb 2, 2011 at 9:55 am
I had reaction of vertigo and had to go to the ER I was so sick after taking Prolia. Now I have worse pain in my bones. How long do these side effects last?
11 chris kruta // Jun 4, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Please compare Prolia vs Boniva so that I can make an informed decision.
12 Joyce Murph // Jun 7, 2011 at 10:11 am
In my opinion, I wish I had taken the Boniva like my orthopedist suggested. Instead I took my family doctors advice and after taking Prolia I have been nothing but sick with UTIs,vertigo and more trouble with walking.
13 Joyce C // Aug 5, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Would like to see comparison between Prolia and Reclast
14 Cary Byrd // Aug 15, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Please register and submit all your drug reviews and feedback here: http://www.edrugsearch.com/drug-ratings-reviews
We would love to here what you’ve learned so you can help others
15 Ruby C // Nov 3, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I wish you would answer Mailyn’s question (“How much does Prolia cost). Even if you are not dirt poor, and ins. does not cover is, is there anyway to get some assistance?
16 Cary Byrd // Nov 4, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Here are some prices on Prolia: http://www.edrugsearch.com/compare-drug-prices-buy-online/Prolia
17 Bev // Jan 19, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I’d like to know if this drug is more risky for someone my mother’s age – 93. Her primary physician recommends it, but I’d like to know the experiences other people over 85 had after getting this.
18 Elaine M // Jan 26, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I have suffered from vertigo in the past and am afraid to try Prolia. And the thought of my skin returning to those teenage years if unsettling.
19 Elaine M // Jan 27, 2012 at 9:35 am
I just found out that the price for Prolia is $2,000 a year. OMG that is $1,000 per injection! Clearly the drug company does not care about the user–they are only looking at their profits! How sad!
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