It is a wonder drug for the treatment of CML and GIST. The mechanism of action involves the inhibition of specific proteins, which are tyrosine kinases responsible for the growth of cancerous cells. Thus, in both the mentioned diseases, it offered patients a much more targeted and useful treatment. However, for many patients, access to this life saving drug remains an elusive dream due to its high cost.
Imatinib is marketed under the brand name Gleevec, a prescription drug that literally costs thousands of dollars per month. The cost of Imatinib price is dependent on the dosage level, duration, and location, like most prescription drugs. The approximate cost per month spent on imatinib in the US would be between $8000.00 and $10,000.00, probably beyond what patients without proper health insurance cover can afford.
Most patients and their families are brought down to their knees by the high cost of Imatinib. Most patients are forced to make decisions between purchasing the drug and other basic needs like rent, food, and utilities because of the unbearable cost. This problem can set in stress, anxiety, and even depression due to the constant financial burden, which affects the general wellbeing and quality of life of the patient.
This, coupled with the high cost of Imatinib, can lead to non-adherence to treatment, as patients may skip doses or abandon treatment due to unaffordability. This has serious health consequences to the patient because non-adherence to treatment results in complications such as disease progression, risks, and death.
Some strategies that have been suggested and adapted to reduce the high prices of Imatinib include the development of generic versions of the same, increasing competition among the manufacturers so as to lower the prices. In countries such as India, they are sold at fractions of costs of the original brand-name drug hence increasing accessibilities to patients.
Another would be the implementation of the patient assistance programs, which reach out with financial assistance to help underprivileged patients afford the treatment cost. These are usually funded by pharmaceutical companies or non-profit organisations, hence mitigating the financial burden on patients and their families.
The other aspect in which governments have a role in is price control for Imatinib and other prescription drugs. In countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, their governments have price control dominion such that they negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies in setting the prices for prescription drugs so that they become pocket-friendly to the patients. In the United States, the government has been less involved in regulating drug prices, whereby individual patients and their insurance providers negotiate on their own with pharmaceutical companies on the prices of the drugs.
Pomalyst is one of the prescription medications in a class of immunomodulatory drugs. Pomalyst modifies the immune response to inhibit the multiplication or reproduction of cancerous cells. Particular use of pomalyst cost includes treatment of patients who have not responded to other treatments like lenalidomide and bortezomib. The medication is taken orally together with a corticosteroid known as dexamethasone. This will increase Pomalyst’s efficiency and hence improve the outcomes of patients. The role of Pomalyst in the treatment of cancer describes it as a very important drug in the management of multiple myeloma. It provides a viable option for patients with resistant forms of illness. The use demonstrates the continuous improvements in oncology, which give hope for better disease management with improved survival rates.
The cost of Pomalyst is still a bit high. Latest data indicate that the price of supply of 21 capsules of Pomalyst 1 mg is about $24,164. The same case applies to other strengths that are 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg for which also one is about to get the same quantity of 21 capsules, to be about $24,164. Hence, the costing would be roughly $1,150.67 for a bottle of 21 capsules, and a supply of 100 capsules would be roughly $115,030.96. Factors That Affect Cost
Since Pomalyst is so very expensive, most patients need some form of financial assistance to enable them to spend on the same. Some programs and resources do exist for this, including:
Pomalink is thus a good alternative for those patients under the diagnosis of multiple myeloma at a very expensive price: its average cost is $24,164 per 21 capsules—that is, at a truly expensive dose. There are, however, many sources and possibilities to help in covering the treatment financially. The options should, therefore, be viewed very critically by patients and their families, who should plan their finances properly in order to bear the cost of treatment. In this way, patients are able to cope with the expenses related to Pomalink by availing such resources that may entail consulting healthcare providers for proper guidelines focused on effective treatments and recovery
