It’s no secret Coloradans are struggling to afford the cost of living today. From eggs to cars to housing, raising prices are making it hard to meet basic needs. As a physician, I worry about how costs, particularly those of health care, are affecting my patients’ ability to stay healthy. Thankfully, our state has been taking steps to help reduce health care costs, especially of prescription drugs. This year, the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board is undertaking the process of setting an upper payment limit for one popular drug on which many of my patients rely — a process which I hope will be replicated many times to help make more lifesaving drugs affordable to all.

As a doctor, I’m glad to see our state taking action to help bring down the cost of critical medications. The timing couldn’t be more urgent, as one in three Coloradans report being unable to fill a prescription, cutting pills in half, or skipping pill doses because of their cost.

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The drug being discussed right now, Enbrel, was determined last year by the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to be “unaffordable,” with 71% of surveyed Coloradans reporting that the drug’s cost made it difficult to access. According to new commercial data released by the Board in May, the drug costs Coloradans and their health plans a whopping $83 million, with the average Coloradan paying $4,638 out of pocket per year — no small sum for many working people.

These costs are especially troubling when considering Enbrel is an essential drug for many patients. Enbrel is prescribed to help patients with autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and arthritis better manage their conditions. These diseases can be not just uncomfortable and painful but debilitating for patients. People with rheumatoid arthritis can find it difficult to use their hands, walk, etc., making it difficult to work and care for themselves and loved ones. Psoriasis can be painful and make it difficult to move, but can also raise the risk of patients developing other inflammatory diseases, increasing the chances of heart attack and stroke. Managing these autoimmune diseases is crucial for patients’ quality of life, as well as extending their lives.

Enbrel is effective at doing just that, which is why it’s so popular — and profitable. Enbrel’s cumulative sales have earned its manufacturer, Amgen, more than $70 billion. Amgen has consistently raised the cost of Enbrel to pad their profits. From 2011 to 2020, the cost of Enbrel was hiked by more than 141%. The cost went up 5% alone in 2024.

Patients who rely on Enbrel deserve better than scrimping just to get by and afford their medicine. No one should have to choose between managing their chronic pain and putting food on the table or paying the monthly rent.

That’s why I’m encouraged by the ongoing work of Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board and the opportunity they have this year to set an upper payment limit on Enbrel. By setting a limit on Enbrel Coloradans can actually afford, the board can help ensure more patients like mine can actually access the drug they need to live and thrive — because prescription drugs do nothing if patients can’t actually access them.

The Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Board has a critical opportunity to help patients with autoimmune diseases who rely on Enbrel better afford this crucial drug. I look forward to following their progress on this and other drugs. My patients, and all Coloradans, deserve some relief.

Dr. Yolanda Bogaert is a nephrologist in Wheat Ridge with more than 25 years of experience.