Many Americans think of gout as a disease from a bygone era, akin to rickets or scurvy. The condition commonly afflicted the rich and royal, including American historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

Gout is indeed one of the earliest known diseases, first identified by the ancient Egyptians around 2640 BC. But the disease is more prevalent now than ever, affecting more than 10 million people in the United States or approximately 5 percent of the adult population. 

Reuters reports that in 2023, drug makers intend to increase the price of over 350 drugs.

Despite public outcry and goverment attempts to limit drug price increases (Biden's Inflation Reduction Act;IRA), these increases are expected to begin in January 2023.  The IRA is suppose to allow the government's Medicare health program to negotiate prices directly for some drugs starting in 2026.

The pharmaceutical industry has responded by stating inflation and supply chain constraints have contributed to higher manufacturing costs.