New Sickle Cell Treatments Face High Costs
New gene treatments can cure sickle cell disease, but high costs keep patients waiting.
Millions of people live with sickle cell disease. It bends red blood cells into crescent shapes. These cells block blood flow and cause sudden attacks of pain. New gene therapies promise to fix this broken code for good.
The FDA approved two landmark gene treatments late last year. Patients gain a shot at a pain-free life after one round of care. Yet few people have received the shots so far.
Cost stands in the path. Each treatment costs more than two million dollars. Patients also must stay in specialized hospitals for weeks. Many clinics lack the staff to deliver the care.
Drugmakers now work with insurers to speed up approvals. Medical breakthroughs take time to reach every person. Watch how hospitals expand their labs to handle these modern cures.
Source: CNBC
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