Cystic fibrosis drug copay assistance plan victim of industry fight over discounts

A growing number of cystic fibrosis patients and their families may soon encounter much higher out-of-pocket costs issues thanks to a grinding, behind-the-scenes struggle that is taking place between pharmaceutical companies and health insurers in response to the rising cost of prescription medicines, STAT reports. Vertex Pharmaceuticals this year reduced its annual copay assistance for its cystic fibrosis treatments from approximately $100,000 a year to $20,000.