Friday, February 19, 2016

Pyrimethamine (Daraprim)

As you may already know, the incredible price spike (from $13.50 to $750 per pill) of pyrimethamine (Daraprim) by Turing Pharmaceuticals has caused an outrage across the country.  The drug helps treat a parasitic infection known as toxoplasmosis, which we have seen cases in the Bay Area.

An example image of a toxoplamosis lesion in one of our patients we are following.  The patient has been followed and treated over the years for toxoplasmosis and has remained stable until recently.  Visual acuity has spontaneously decreased from 20/20 to HM (hand motion). We have requested to her insurance that she be placed on Daraprim, but was denied.

Express Scripts with Imprimis Pharmaceuticals is offering a MUCH affordable alternative of the drug.  Check out a report by CBS here.  Perhaps this will provide an alternative in the management of toxoplasmosis patients.

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