Pramipexole Tabs 88mcg 30 is one of those products that suffers regular price bounces. In this case it seems to be almost exactly every two years, which in our minds fits with manufacturing cycles.
The generic form of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Mirapexin was launched in February 2011 to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. Since then concessions have been granted on five occasions and market prices have fluctuated between less than £0.07 and £16.99.
It does appear to be a widely traded product, with 13 wholesalers supplying the primary care market in May 25, and 95 Pramipexole manufacturing licenses granted by the MHRA since 2000. However, looking at the chart it does appear that the majority of the prices were triggered by market prices at or below £2.00.
So the difficulties with the supply of this product, the regular price bounces and concessions is probably caused by manufacturer profitability. If manufacturers can agree with a department of health DHSC a set minimum reimbursement price for this product, it might be sustainable in the long-term. However, many manufacturers will look at the graph and ask;
‘Is there any point in making this product? We know it’s enormously helpful for patience, but it’s not sustainable in any financial sense.’
It has been just sustainable for pharmacies, because the market price has been lower than the drug tariff most of the time. But for manufacturers it’s not a great product to make or stock.