Government
Lawmakers call for investigation of Norvir price hike
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 28, 2004
Three U.S. senators in a May letter urged the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Abbott Laboratories' December 2003 price hike of the protease inhibitor Norvir to $8.57 a day for a 100 mg dose.
"I'm appalled by Abbott's price increase, which appears to be monopolistic profiteering on a drug developed with taxpayer money," said Sen. Ernest F. Hollings (D, S.C.) in a statement. "Abbott's actions not only put the marketplace at risk, but more importantly, impact the medical options that the sickest people need for a hope of survival." The other two senators who signed the letter are John McCain (R, Ariz.) and Charles E. Schumer (D, N.Y.).
Norvir is commonly used as a booster for other HIV-suppressing medications. The 400% price increase sparked outrage among physicians and patients, who say there is no alternative to the medication. Abbott officials said they did not make their decision lightly and in a letter said Norvir "continues to represent a fraction, typically one-fifth, of the daily cost of therapy."
At press time, FTC officials had not made a decision on whether they would investigate.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/06/28/gvbf0628.htm.
