FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board Releases New Data on Enbrel Costs & Begins Upper Payment Limit Rulemaking
PDAB finds Enbrel costs Coloradans $4,638 a year on average, begins rulemaking to set upper payment limit
DENVER, CO – On Friday, the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) released new data on the cost of Enbrel, a medication used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The commercial data shows that Enbrel cost Coloradans and their health plans over $83 million, with the average Coloradan paying $4,638 out of pocket per year.
Created by Colorado lawmakers in 2021, the PDAB is an independent board that evaluates the affordability of prescription drugs and can establish upper payment limits (UPLs) for those it deems unaffordable. Last year, PDAB determined that Enbrel was unaffordable for many Coloradans. Now, the release of this new data marks a critical step toward potentially setting a UPL that would make the medication more affordable and accessible. Last week, the PDAB began rulemaking to consider setting an upper price limit on Enbrel and released critical data for patients and policymakers to understand the cost of prescription drugs in Colorado.
“For too many Coloradans, rising costs are making it difficult to access the medications they need to stay healthy,” said Austin Blumenfeld, Executive Director of Centennial State Prosperity. “This data underscores how out of reach Enbrel has become for Coloradans living with chronic, often debilitating, conditions. We’re glad to see the PDAB moving forward to bring accountability and lower the cost of Enbrel for Colorado families.”
Enbrel is a blockbuster drug for Amgen, its manufacturer, with cumulative global sales topping $70 billion. Despite being on the market for over two decades, its price has increased by more than 140% between 2011 and 2020 — including a 5% hike in 2024 alone.
“Every day, Coloradans are being forced to make impossible choices between their health needs or their financial security,” said Sophia Hennessy, Policy and Research Coordinator of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “We’re looking forward to seeing the board take action in the interest of patients and set a fair upper payment limit, so that patients who take Enbrel can finally experience some relief from high out-of-pocket costs.”
According to a state survey, 71% of Coloradans who rely on Enbrel reported that the cost made it difficult to access.
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