Human Genome Sciences Inc. Offers $35,000-Per-Year Lupus Med; What's the Ramification for Seniors, Poor?

As a person over 60 with a wife on Medicaid due to disability, I'm curious about your feelings on the following story. Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGS) has developed a lupus drug called Benlysta. Further, they've followed the proper formularies to get it approved by the right people. Benlysta is ready for market, or is it? Benlysta gives hope to lupus patients, or does it?

I'm using as a reference an article by Thomas Gryta of the Dow Jones Newswires posted at The Wall Street Journal website and titled "Human Genome Sciences Faces next Challenges For Lupus Drug."

First let me take the mystery out of the term "genome." From my many years as a medical underwriter, I can tell you that essentially it means the entirety of an organism's hereditary information advanced through DNA. You can verify my definition here.

There are a couple of problems as I see it and some questions that come into my mind as I study this situation.

The problem with Benlysta is its cost. It is not a one-time drug. Therefore, the cost of it is about $35,000 per year. Because of that, the company does not foresee dramatic demand for the medicine. However, it is interesting that the company's stock market share value jumped 13 percent.

The drug is coming to market with "between 2,000 and 3,000 well-informed patients." Is it well-informed or well-heeled?

The buzz around Benlysta's release comes from what has to happen. Adding to the core patients HGS will start with, increase in patients will only occur as private insurance carriers determine how they will pay -- but they will pay. The real question is what will the stance of Medicare and Medicaid be? Our reference article says it may take weeks or even months for them to come to terms with it and there is no guarantee they will cover it.

Here are my questions:

Is a medication that costs $35,000 truly a treatment? If I can't get it, it means nothing to me.

What does a situation like this say about government coverage? Would Obama's plan do better or lock more of the country into dependence?

Doesn't this do in a backhanded way what older and poorer people are worried about, and that is ignore them by elimination due to price?

With all things being equal still, What is a $35,000-per-year drug for a high-profile illness going to do to insurance rates and availability?

What do you think? Am I being too critical?

References:

Princeton Website, "Definition of Genome"

Wall Street Journal Website, Thomas Gryta, "Human Genome Sciences Faces Next Challenges For Lupus Drug"