J&J Announce Price of Newly Approved Depression Treatment

Johnson & Johnson announced the US Federal Drug Administration approved the new, ketamine-like, nasal spray depression treatment, Spravato (esketamine). The pharmaceutical company confirmed that Spravato, will be priced at $590 for a 56mg dose and $885 for 84mg.

In the month-long, first phase of therapy, patients will have doses administered twice a week in their doctor’s office. Based on the list prices, the first phase of treatment would cost $4720 to $6785, according to Janssen spokesman, Greg Panico. The following doses will be provided either once a week or every two weeks, resulting in monthly costs ranging $2360 to $3540.

These prices reflect the wholesale, list price and are not necessarily what consumers would pay as that depends on their plan, discounts, and duration of treatment. Dosage and treatment schedules would be determined by the provider after patient consultation.

J&J’s press release stated, Spravato is nasal spray for use in conjunction with an oral antidepressant in adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). People who are currently struggling with major depressive disorder are considered to have TRD if they have not responded adequately to at least two different antidepressants of adequate dose and duration in the current depressive episode.”

There is concern about Spravato’s chemical mirror match of the anesthetic ketamine, which has been used recreationally under the street name “Special K.” However, in order to prevent abusive usage, the nasal-spray treatment will only be administered in a doctor’s office or medical facility.

According to data from J&J’s press release, “Over 300 million people globally live with major depressive disorders, and the incidence of attempted suicide in people with this condition is about 20-fold higher than that among those without the disorder.”—Edan Stanley