Police robot debate - World's priciest drug approved - Brazil election challenge

Source: Associated Press and Business Wire

1. Summary
   The treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration, called Hemgenix, is a gene therapy for hemophilia B. Hemophilia B is a rare genetic disorder that reduces blood clotting, which at worst can manifest as random bleeding episodes that take time to subside. 15% of hemophilia patients suffer from hemophilia B. In the overall population 1 in 40,000 do.
   
   At $3.5 million per dose, it is the most expensive drug in the world. However, existing treatments for hemophilia B are both expensive and routine, and can wane in effectiveness after time. As a result, estimates suggest the adult lifetime cost of treating severe hemophilia B is $21-$23 million per patient. In contrast, Hemgenix only needs to be administered once, leading analysts to consider it a relatively good price in the U.S.
   
   Hemgenix is an "orphan drug," an FDA classification intended to incentivize medical research into treatments for diseases that are very rare. Because of the designation, Hemgenix's producer has exclusive rights to the U.S. market for the next seven years.

   Highly-rated - last 48 hrs
   The FDA just approved the most expensive drug in the world.
   Science Alert (Center) • Factual Grade 78% • 4 min read
   

1. Different political viewpoint
   Gene therapy at $3.5m a dose approved for US adults with hemophilia B.
   The Guardian (Moderate Left) • Factual Grade 73% • 3 min read

1. Selected long-read
   Why does America spend so much on health care?
   City Journal (Right) • Factual Grade 86% • 9 min read

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