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Boyer knows more than just about anyone about how antivenoms work, and how to study them in the lab. But she couldn't figure out why the price was so high. So, as she writes in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Medicine, she requested "cost data from factory supervisors, sales representatives, animal managers, hospital administrators, health care finance officers, hospital pharmacists, grants managers and insurance specialists representing over 20 organizations involved in antivenom work affecting Latin America and the USA." She and her colleagues at VIPER used the numbers to build a pricing model for a typical arachnid antivenom sold in the United States. Here's how that model breaks down:



Shockingly, the cost of actually making the antivenom — of R&D, animal care, plasma harvesting, bottling, and the like — added up to roughly one tenth of one percent of the total cost. Clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of the antivenom accounted for another 2 percent. Other miscellaneous costs, including licensing fees, wholesaler fees, regulatory, legal and office costs, and profit to medical providers, added up to 28 percent...

"My clinical trials can only benefit future patients if they can afford the drugs," Boyer said. "The U.S. needs to rethink how we manage these things, because we have reached the point where the developing world is getting more timely access to better drugs (at least in this field) than we are."

According to Boyer's model, a single vial of antivenom that would cost more than $14,000 in the United States would cost $100 to $200 in Mexico. Same medicine. Same manufacturer. But a totally different pharmaceutical market.

In Mexico, Boyer says, authorities determined some time ago that treating venomous snake and spider bites was a public health issue. "Their policy has always been that the government will provide adequate amounts of antivenom via a massive purchase of the drug which it distributes to health clinics." We could try to implement something similar here, but it would require an act of Congress to do so.

CAA Flagship wrote:So based on this "model" the costs associated with FDA fees, licensing, regulatory fees, etc. is approximately $3800 per vial. How does one get to $100 - $200 per vial in Mexico? Is there no regulatory oversight there?
The cost of the clinical trials and manufacturing alone is $300.
Is this common core math?

In Mexico, Boyer says, authorities determined some time ago that treating venomous snake and spider bites was a public health issue. "Their policy has always been that the government will provide adequate amounts of antivenom via a massive purchase of the drug which it distributes to health clinics."

Grizalltheway wrote:

CAA Flagship wrote:So based on this "model" the costs associated with FDA fees, licensing, regulatory fees, etc. is approximately $3800 per vial. How does one get to $100 - $200 per vial in Mexico? Is there no regulatory oversight there?
The cost of the clinical trials and manufacturing alone is $300.
Is this common core math?

Apparently you're doing common core reading.

In Mexico, Boyer says, authorities determined some time ago that treating venomous snake and spider bites was a public health issue. "Their policy has always been that the government will provide adequate amounts of antivenom via a massive purchase of the drug which it distributes to health clinics."

CAA Flagship wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
Apparently you're doing common core reading.

So the government is paying for it. Meaning the taxpayer is paying for it. That's a good idea. We should do this with everything.

bandl wrote:Don't get bit by snakes and you don't have a problem, assholes.

Also, ban snakes . And bites.

Grizalltheway wrote:

bandl wrote:Don't get bit by snakes and you don't have a problem, assholes.

Also, ban snakes . And bites.

Douche, if you actually did any farming, you'd realize that this shit happens, regardless of how careful you might be.

bandl wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
Douche, if you actually did any farming, you'd realize that this shit happens, regardless of how careful you might be.

Peon, why do you think I have other people farm for me? I'm a better person.

Grizalltheway wrote:

bandl wrote: Peon, why do you think I have other people farm for me? I'm a better person.

You're definitely a better pussyfaggot, I'll give you that.

bandl wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:
Douche, if you actually did any farming, you'd realize that this shit happens, regardless of how careful you might be.

Peon, why do you think I have other people farm for me? I'm a better person.

Pwns wrote:Clenz is right, there's nothing exceptional about the mark-up here.

If there was no mark-up at all the price would still be more than the Mexican prices that are mentioned in the article.

It's all the excessive regulations.

Grizalltheway wrote:So, what would Jesus do? I be he'd mark up the shit out of this stuff.

kalm wrote:

Pwns wrote:Clenz is right, there's nothing exceptional about the mark-up here.

If there was no mark-up at all the price would still be more than the Mexican prices that are mentioned in the article.

It's all the excessive regulations.

28% includes the manufacturer's and wholesalers's mark ups as well as the regs.

1) Nike shoes are a little different than medicine.

2) Nike shoe costs don't include insurance mark ups.

Grizalltheway wrote:So, what would Jesus do? I bet he'd mark up the shit out of this stuff.

Baldy wrote:

kalm wrote:
28% includes the manufacturer's and wholesalers's mark ups as well as the regs.

1) Nike shoes are a little different than medicine.

2) Nike shoe costs don't include insurance mark ups.

1) Vaccines are not medicines.

2) Prices are marked up so Insurance companies can negotiate them back down.

Welcome to Business 101.

Baldy wrote:

kalm wrote:
28% includes the manufacturer's and wholesalers's mark ups as well as the regs.

1) Nike shoes are a little different than medicine.

2) Nike shoe costs don't include insurance mark ups.

1) Vaccines are not medicines.

2) Prices are marked up so Insurance companies can negotiate them back down.

Welcome to Business 101.

Grizalltheway wrote:

Baldy wrote: 1) Vaccines are not medicines.

2) Prices are marked up so Insurance companies can negotiate them back down.

Welcome to Business 101.

3. This isn't a vaccine.