Sacrificing pharma profits to preserve patient access in Germany
Roche and AbbVie sue over drug pricing law, saying the country’s attempt to avoid drug rationing is a violation of its own constitution
A law that went into effect in Germany in January financially stabilizes the country’s statutory health insurance system by mandating lower drug prices and higher rebates. Two pharmas, Roche and AbbVie, are suing, saying that the legislation violates their rights. Overall, the law makes Germany a less attractive country in which to launch drugs, especially orphan therapies. However, it is subject to government review, and the more draconian pieces of it may be reversed.
Enacted last November, the GKV Financial Stabilization Act (GKV-FinStG) “is a measure to prevent the rationing of healthcare in Germany,” Eva Susanne Dietrich told BioCentury. “At the moment, every company can go to the German market and be reimbursed on the same day as their drug is approved, and the drug can be prescribed to anyone in Germany. From homeless people to rich people, everyone can get the same drug.”...