Discover your next big idea for life sciences at PACK EXPO Las Vegas
Experience a breakthrough in life sciences packaging—explore solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries, all in one place this September

The First FDA-Approved Marijuana Drug Won’t Be Cheap

GW Pharmaceuticals announced the price of Epidiolex, its marijuana-based drug for rare forms of epilepsy, and it costs the same as a new car.

Epidiolex will cost $32,500/year / Image: Shutterstock
Epidiolex will cost $32,500/year / Image: Shutterstock

A couple months ago, we covered the FDA’s approval of the first marijuana-derived drug. At the time there was no information about how GW Pharmaceuticals would price Epidiolex, which is used to treat the most severe types of childhood epilepsy. A recent article from Business Insider noted that GW revealed the price of the drug on a call with investors last week, and it comes in at roughly $32,500 a year.

The head of GW’s commercialization efforts in the US said that the price for Epidiolex is in line with similar epilepsy drugs on the market, and that the price was mostly dictated by insurance company feedback. He also noted that the anticipated wait time to receive the prescription is about three weeks, but before any prescriptions can be written, the DEA has to reschedule the active ingredient CBD, which currently isn’t accepted for medical use.

List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in life sciences packaging
<strong>At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, you’ll see machinery in action and new tech from 2,300 suppliers, collaborate with experts and explore transformative solutions. Join us in September to experience a breakthrough for life sciences products.</strong>
REGISTER NOW & SAVE!
Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in life sciences packaging