The story of Exondys 51 raises complex and emotionally charged questions about what happens when the F.D.A. approves an expensive drug based on a lower bar of proof. In practice, health insurers have taken over as gatekeeper in determining who will get the drug. Anthem, one of the nation’s largest insurers, calls Exondys 51 “investigational” because the F.D.A. While the drug manufacturer, Sarepta, has said Exondys 51 costs about $300,000 a year per child, the price, based on a child’s weight, can be much higher.

Source: New York Times June 22, 2017 22:50 UTC