Roche gives free access to cancer drug after clash with Greek government

Following a clash with the Greek government over its decision to withdraw a cancer drug from the market, Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX) ultimately decided to make the drug available to patients for free, according to the Brussels-based think-tank Euractiv.

Roche’s decision to pull the rug from the Greek market followed the government imposition earlier this year of a 25% discount on sales generated by new patented medicines. And more recently, another 25% discount was added on new medicines, to apply retrospectively.

The cancer treatment in question is Cotellic (cobimetinib), which is used to treat advanced melanoma in combination with Zelboraf (vemurafenib). Cotellic was approved in the USA in 2015, and the combination is reportedly priced at $17,600 per month, or about $211,000 per year.