筋萎縮症薬を保険適用へ　国内最高の１億６７００万円―厚労省

　筋力が低下する難病「脊髄性筋萎縮症（ＳＭＡ）」の遺伝子治療薬「ゾルゲンスマ」の薬価について、厚生労働省が保険の対象となる薬では国内最高額となる約１億６７００万円とする方向で調整していることが１２日、分かった。１３日に開かれる中央社会保険医療協議会（厚労相の諮問機関、中医協）の総会で保険適用が了承される見通し。
　ＳＭＡは、タンパク質をつくる遺伝子の異常が主な原因となり、運動神経細胞が減って筋力が低下する難病。スイスの製薬大手ノバルティスファーマが開発したゾルゲンスマは、米国での価格が２億円を超え、国内での価格に注目が集まっていた。２歳未満の患者に１回投与し、年間の対象患者数は２５人程度と見込まれる。（2020/05/12-12:20）

Japan's health ministry is planning to set the price of Novartis AG's spinal muscular atrophy drug Zolgensma at about 167 million yen, or some 1.55 million dollars, under the country's health insurance system, informed sources said Tuesday.
   Zolgensma will be the most expensive drug covered by health insurance in Japan. Insurance coverage for the drug is expected to be approved at a general meeting of the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, an advisory panel to the health minister, on Wednesday.
   The one-time gene therapy medicine is used for SMA patients under two years old. The rare disease, which leads to muscle weakness through a decrease in motor nerve cells, is caused mainly by genetic abnormalities.
   In Japan, the drug is expected to be administered to around 25 patients annually after it comes under insurance coverage.
   In recent years, a series of expensive drugs have been approved for being covered by insurance in Japan, adding pressure on its health insurance finance.