I’m on a drug that costs even more than that. The whole process is bizarre, and appears to be scams all the way down.
What happens for me is that my insurance covers a big chunk of it, which still leaves me with a bill for thousands of dollars. But the drug manufacturer provides me with a card that covers that amount. So the whole thing costs me $5 out of pocket.
The aim seems to be inflating the drug prices to an insane degree to extract more money from the insurance companies. Who then fleece my employer for more money. Who then pay me less, as the insurance is such a huge benefit. And I can’t afford to lose that insurance, so they have a captive employee. And I’m supposed to marvel at all the money I saved.
Thankfully it’s not a lifesaving drug. But yes.