Orphan Drugs and Rare Diseases: Innovation vs. Affordability

This brief examines the economic and ethical challenges of orphan drug pricing in the United States. While the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 spurred innovation for rare diseases, it also created affordability issues and opportunities for market abuse. The paper explores policy options to balance innovation incentives with equitable access to life-saving treatments.

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Storey Kuo

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January 7, 2026

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Inquiry-driven, this project may reflect personal views, aiming to enrich problem-related discourse.

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Storey Kuo

PIVOT Operations Intern

Storey Kuo is a student at Chadwick School who's passionate about healthcare and economic policy. At YIP, she serves as an Operations Intern for the PIVOT Center.

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Storey Kuo

Other Fellowship Capstones

Drug use and Fentanyl Overdose Among Teenagers in the United States

From Exposure to Equity: Reforming U.S. Policy on Lead and Childhood Educational Success

Analysis of Labor Informality in Peru: Public Policies for Well-Being