Biotech drugs: high costs becoming hard to swallow

Three years ago, when the biotech clot-buster Activase was introduced, its $2,200-per-dose price tag sent shock waves through hospital budget circles. Those waves could seem like mere ripples as new genetically engineered pharmaceuticals hit the market. While the drugs perform unprecedented feats, they also carry unprecedented feats, they also carry unprecedented prices, posing new challenges for executives.