Although the rate of drug list price increases has slowed in the last decade, the average launch price for a brand name drug entering the market has skyrocketed, according to a new report from drug research firm 46brooklyn.
Since 2006, the median monthly price for a new brand name drug has jumped 381 percent, from $150 to $722.
Generic drug prices have increased as well. Generic medications have launched at a median monthly price of about $800, up from $100 in 2006. That's a 700 percent increase.
The research firm analyzed data from Elsevier's Gold Standard drug database to find each drug's wholesale acquisition cost per unit at launch. It also used federal government reports, such as the Medicare Part D formulary database.
The research comes as more specialty drugs with million dollar price tags, like Zolgensma, enter the market.