Fabrazyme is a very expensive biological product used to treat Faby’s Disease, a rare genetic disorder. A typical regime is 1 milligram per kilo of body weight every two weeks. A person weighing 70 kilos would thus require two 35 mg vials every two weeks (26 times per year).
The following are data points on prices for Fabrazyme
USA
Source: Fabry patient (See invoice), August 1, 2010
35 mg vial: $4,879.73 USD
Sweden
Source: Kirsten Myhr, July 22, 1010
http://www.fass.se/LIF/produktfakta/artikel_produkt.jsp?NplID=20010803000026
5 mg vial SEK 5748 | 793.387 USD
35 mg vial SEK 34182 | 4,718.29 USD
There is no VAT on medicines in Sweden
Denmark
Source Kirsten Myhr, July 22, 1010
http://www.medicinpriser.dk/Default.aspx?lng=2
5 mg vial DK 6323 | 1,109.47 USD
35 mg vial DK 38400 | 6,737.88 USD
Includes 25 percent VAT
Source: Rasmus Prior Gjesing, from the official price list at the Danish Medicines Agency (searchable database in English)
http://www.medicinpriser.dk/?lng=2
Pharmacy Selling Price (incl. VAT of 25%)
Fabrazyme, 5 mg: DKK 6,323.25 |1,109.46 USD
Fabrazyme, 35 mg: DKK 38,399.60 | 6,737.378 USD
Pharmacy Purchasing Price (incl. VAT of 25%)
Fabrazyme, 5 mg: DKK 4,645.00 | 814.986 USD
Fabrazyme, 35 mg: DKK 28,274.00 | 4,960.504 USD
Norway
Source Kirsten Myhr, July 22, 1010
http://www.felleskatalogen.no/
5 mg vial NOK 5177 (includes 25% VAT) | 847.806 USD
35 mg vial NOK 33420.- (includes 25% VAT) | 5,472.99 USD
Includes 25 percent VAT
Spain
Source Alexis Rodriquez, July 23, 2010
FABRAZYME (5 MG IV 1 VIAL 5 ML ) 580 Euros | 758.111 USD
FABRAZYME (35 MG IV 1 VIAL 20 ML ) 3563 Euros | 4,657.15 USD
Portugal
Source Ines Ramos, July 27, 2010
Looking at the volume of sales in Portugal in 2010 (declared by the company)
5 mg 524 euros (499 without taxes) | 684.917 USD, 652.240 USD without taxes
35 mg 3671 euros (3496 without taxes) | 4,798.08 USD, 4,569.42 USD without taxes
United Kingdom
Source Kirsten Myhr, July 26, 2010
The price reimbursed by the National Health Service. Does not include professional fee and any container allowance.
5 mg GBP 325.50 | 507.979 USD
35 mg GBP 2269.20 | 3,541.85 USD