See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Acthar
How much did Acthar Gel cost in 2016 (and why prices vary)?
“Acthar Gel” (corticotropin, repository injection) pricing in 2016 depended heavily on the payer and the setting. In 2016, many reported “cost” figures referred to list price or claims-billing amounts, which can differ from what patients actually paid after insurance, rebates, or assistance programs. Without the exact dosage, quantity, route, and whether the figure is list price vs. net price, a single “Acthar gel cost 2016” number can’t be stated accurately.
What figures people usually mean when they search “Acthar gel cost 2016”
Searches about “cost” for specialty drugs like Acthar in a specific year typically map to one of these:
- List price per vial (often used in headlines and policy discussions)
- Claims data averages (what insurers billed/paid before adjustments)
- Net price after rebates (not usually public in full)
- Patient out-of-pocket cost (copays/coinsurance), which varies by insurance plan
What to provide so the 2016 cost can be pinned down
If you share any of the following, a precise 2016 cost estimate becomes possible from the right kind of source (e.g., list price vs. claims):
- The exact strength (how many units per vial)
- The quantity (number of vials) or typical regimen length
- The state/country and whether the number is US pricing
- Whether you want list price, average billed amount, or patient cost
If you meant “average annual cost” for treatment in 2016
For ACTH-related therapies, “annual cost” is often a calculated total based on dose and duration rather than a single catalog price. Treatment length varies by diagnosis, so a real 2016 “annual cost” number only makes sense with the indication and dosing.
How Acthar cost in 2016 compares to later years
Acthar pricing came under intense scrutiny across the 2010s due to steep costs and payer impacts; changes in market access, payer coverage rules, and competition in ACTH-like indications affected what payers and patients paid over time. But “2016 cost” should still be interpreted as the price measure you’re using (list vs net vs claims).
Quick question
Do you want the 2016 cost as (1) list price per vial, (2) average billed/paid amount, or (3) what a patient typically pays—and what strength/vial size?