Priced Out of Treatment: The Exorbitant Cost of Antiparasitic Drugs in the United States

Parasitic infections are often perceived as diseases of low-resource countries, yet they impose a significant and overlooked burden in the United States—especially among immigrants, low-income individuals, and other marginalized populations. This perspectives article examines the case of Mr. X, a landscaper in Houston diagnosed with neurocysticercosis, who faced unaffordable drug costs despite the availability of effective, off-patent treatments. Through his story, we explore the broader issue of pricing for commonly and not-so-commonly prescribed antiparasitic medications, highlighting the role of systemic market failures, regulatory hurdles, and restrictive assistance programs in limiting access to care. The consequences of incomplete treatment include long-term disability, public health risks, and deepened health disparities. We propose policy solutions, including reforms to the Orphan Drug Act, expansion of Medicare negotiation powers, and investment in public-interest drug production, to improve affordability and ensure equitable access to essential antiparasitic drugs.