A new, highly effective but exceedingly expensive drug for treating a rare blood disorder has posed the key question of how much Britain is prepared to pay to extend life and improve its quality. Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Soliris (eculizumab) can offer over 10 years − perhaps even significantly more − a good quality life extension to sufferers of the rare disease atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, but costs an astronomical £340,200 ($567,200) in the first year of treatment, says reimbursement watchdog NICE.
Admittedly, this price includes initial treatment at a dose of 900 mg for 4 weeks, then maintenance treatment at a...