Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Immunoglobulins are essential, plasma-derived therapies used across several conditions. Demand has expanded with indication expansion, and increased usage, while supply depends on finite human plasma. Reliance on plasma collection and imports, in combination with occasional supply constraints, may create sustained price pressure. This analysis assessed whether historical immunoglobulin price growth exceeded inflation and typical annual price increases for non-generic medicines across major markets, whether this trend is expected to continue, and the resulting annual patient cost burden in CIDP and MMN.
METHODS: Annual manufacturer/wholesale prices for intravenous and subcutaneous immunoglobulins were extracted from GlobalData for the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain. Compound and annualised price changes were compared with cumulative and annualised inflation over country-specific periods of 16-19 years. Annualised immunoglobulin growth was also compared with estimates for non-generic medicines. Real price change was calculated as compound price growth minus compound inflation.
RESULTS: Immunoglobulin prices increased faster than inflation in all markets. Over 19 years, prices rose by 112% in the United States versus 55.4% inflation, and by 88% in the United Kingdom versus 65.2% inflation. Price growth also exceeded inflation in Germany (63% vs 43.6%), France (46% vs 33.4%), Italy (95% vs 39.5% over 18 years) and Spain (142% vs 42.7%). Real price growth was highest in Spain (100%), United States (56%) and Italy (55%). Across most markets, annualised immunoglobulin price growth also exceeded annual price increases reported for non-generic medicines.
CONCLUSIONS: Immunoglobulin prices rose faster than inflation, consistent with demand growth and constrained plasma supply, and contributing to persistent price pressure. Extrapolations using different methods suggested this trend may continue over time. Policies supporting plasma supply resilience, appropriate immunoglobulin use, and suitable alternatives may help reduce pressure on affordability while helping ensure sustainable access to immunoglobulin therapies for patients with no suitable alternatives.