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June 2026
Tecfidera® Was a Bargain, Price Increases and All
The US market-based price for Tecfidera was a bargain, even considering the price increases over the period of exclusivity.
Tecfidera® (dimethyl fumarate) was launched in 2013 to treat the relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Conventional cost-effectiveness analysis suggested that the price of Tecfidera would need to be discounted by 40-60% to meet cost-effectiveness thresholds. However, these methods assumed the launch price would stay constant forever, ignoring the realities of generic competition.
We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis for dimethyl fumarate at launch with price dynamics incorporated based on the real-world price increases over the period of exclusivity and the real-world price of generic dimethyl fumarate after the period of exclusivity. Incorporating these price changes into the economic model showed that dimethyl fumarate was cost-effective.
When we expanded our analysis to follow a generalized cost-effectiveness analysis framework that incorporated societal impacts, health system impacts, and dynamic drug pricing, dimethyl fumarate was cost saving to society.
The US market-based price for Tecfidera was a bargain, price increases and all. The “high” price we paid incentivized generic equivalents to enter the market and substantially drove down pricing and incentivized the development of new, even more effective, treatments for people living with multiple sclerosis.
Read our full report for a description of our modeling assumptions and detailed model findings.
Tecfidera® Was a Bargain, Price Increases and All
Click here to read the full report.
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The Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics is a division of MEDACorp and an affiliate of Leerink Partners
Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics
– Melanie Whittington, PhD, Managing Director, Head of the Center for Pharmacoeconomics
Disclosures
The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.
© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Disclosures
The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.
© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Disclosures
The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.
© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.
