Pharmacy

Spending was driven by increases in drug unit prices rather than an increase in the volume of drugs used, report says.

FDA approved drug Exondys 51 made by Sarepta Therapeutics to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Prescription drug model meant to avoid adverse risk of medications, lower costs.

Founder Elizabeth Holmes said the company will close its clinical labs and Theranos Wellness Centers in Arizona, California and Pennsylvania.

Since the medicine generally expires every year, the cost to replace EpiPens adds up fairly quickly, especially for consumers who do not have insurance or have high-deductible plans.

Naltrexone and acamprosate are the two drugs on the market for patients with alcohol cravings.

The ticket, known as a rare pediatric disease priority review voucher, is part of a program created by Congress in 2007 to encourage the development of drugs for tropical diseases and later expanded to rare pediatric disorders.

Views come as the skyrocketing prices of some drugs are under intense scrutiny, with new evidence showing massive price hikes by some companies.

Gradual price hikes, growth in users pushes up spending for the federal prescription drug program.

The first drug to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy could sell for $350,000 a year.