Written by Maryam Ishfaq

Heart failure is currently one of the leading causes of death among various age groups across the United States and leaves many Americans hospitalized with limited treatment options. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recently approved the drug Attruby for treating heart failure. Atttruby has gained massive support from healthcare professionals, as it has shown positive results in clinical trials for heart failure. However, the current distributors of this drug market it at a high cost, making it nearly impossible for low-income Americans to access. Patients who are in desperate need of the drug, and who could experience significant improvements in their quality of life, find it extremely difficult to purchase even a small supply at a pharmacy. The lack of proper consideration for balancing affordability with groundbreaking treatments is a major concern for many Americans and should be addressed with appropriate measures to broaden access to this treatment. 

Attruby targets specific pathways in the heart to improve blood pumping, an advancement over prior cardiovascular medications used to treat heart failure, such as beta blockers. Unlike conventional treatments for heart failure, Attruby is a new drug that stabilizes transthyretin (TTR), a protein that misfolds in disease states and provides more long-term benefits, leading to less severe impacts of the disease on patients. New clinical data has shown that Attruby has reduced all causes of mortality and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations as early as three months upon initiation. This suggests that Attruby is not only a fast-acting drug, but also provides a quick and life-saving treatment for patients with advanced heart conditions. However, the benefits that Attruby offers for patients are only meaningful if the drug is more affordable so that the majority of Americans can have a chance of improving their health. The high cost of Attruby is a significant barrier, making the drug inaccessible to those who could truly benefit from it. 

Currently, a 356 mg oral tablet of Attruby costs around $19,594 for a supply of 112 tablets, which is extremely expensive. Patients seeking a course of this treatment would be billed thousands of dollars each month, making it nearly impossible for those on Medicaid, Medicare, or those without strong insurance coverage. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 20% of Americans struggle to pay their prescriptions each month, with low-income communities, particularly those with a high population of color, experiencing the most difficulty in paying these medications off. Many patients already suffering from heart failure have to devote a large amount of money towards their healthcare expenses, and adding a costly medication such as Atturby will worsen their financial condition, making it infeasible for a large number of people. In addition, those with insurance will have to pay increased co-pays or require prior authorization, further limiting their access to the drug. The financial barriers associated with Attruby make healthcare equity seem unattainable for those who need this life-saving treatment the most. 

Although the cost of Attruby is a major concern, this drug represents a remarkable new discovery and innovation. The overwhelming cost of this drug can be subset with new measures and approaches to increase its accessibility. If healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and the government work together, a solution can be formed to make the drug more affordable. A potential solution is to implement price caps so that low-income patients can talk to their healthcare providers and finally be prescribed and gain access to the drug. Another long-term solution is for healthcare providers to recommend affordable alternatives to this drug, as the government can possibly disapprove of price negotiations for Attruby. While recent policies promoting the negotiation of drugs have been challenged, increased transparency on this drug could push for lower costs for patients.

 Moreover, expanding current patient assistance programs and insurance coverage can ease the financial burden for those who are either currently taking Attruby or are seeking a treatment plan that includes this drug. Collaboration between the government, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers is necessary to ensure that this breakthrough drug does not remain out of reach for those who need it most. While there may be obstacles in the journey towards implementing these changes, what we can do now is continue to advocate for affordable healthcare and accessibility to ensure that new innovations are available to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status. As medical treatments like Attruby continue to advance and shape the future of healthcare, finding a balance between affordability and innovation is vital for all Americans.