Story perspectives

Study Reveals $164M Payments Shape MS Treatment Choices

8/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study shows 80% of U.S. neurologists treating multiple sclerosis received $164 million from pharmaceutical companies from 2015 to 2019.
Larger payments are linked to increased prescribing of the paying company's drugs, particularly for speaking fees.
MS medications significantly impact Medicare, with disease-modifying drugs costing $33.9 billion from 2017 to 2019.
High drug prices result from long development times and limited competition, with annual costs between $57,000 and $93,000.

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Story summary

A study shows 80% of U.S. neurologists treating multiple sclerosis received $164 million from pharmaceutical companies from 2015 to 2019.
Larger payments are linked to increased prescribing of the paying company's drugs, particularly for speaking fees.
MS medications significantly impact Medicare, with disease-modifying drugs costing $33.9 billion from 2017 to 2019.
High drug prices result from long development times and limited competition, with annual costs between $57,000 and $93,000.