By Eva von Schaper – Mar 25, 2011
Novartis AG (NOVN)’s multiple sclerosis pill Gilenya will cost 1,850 euros ($2,620) a month in Germany, according to a company spokesman.
Novartis has set an annual wholesale price of about 22,000 euros for the drug, Eric Althoff, a spokesman for the Basel, Switzerland-based company, said by phone today. Germany is usually used as an indicator for pricing in other European countries, he said.
Gilenya, the first multiple sclerosis pill on the market, will be more expensive than injectable competitors such as Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB)’s Avonex, Merck KGaA (MRK)’s Rebif and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA)’s Copaxone, Althoff said. The pill will be cheaper than Biogen’s Tysabri, Althoff said. Gilenya costs about $48,000 annually in the U.S.
The drug’s German pricing “is based on the more restrictive label and the general cost of therapies in Europe,” Althoff said.
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