Which type of drug could potentially be more expensive due to its purity?

Enantiopure drugs, which consist of only one enantiomer of a chiral compound, can be more expensive due to several factors related to their purity. The process of producing an enantiopure drug is often more complex and costly compared to creating racemic mixtures, which contain equal parts of both enantiomers.

The synthesis of enantiopure drugs typically requires advanced techniques such as asymmetric synthesis or chiral separation processes. These methods, while effective, can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, contributing to higher production costs. Additionally, enantiopure compounds often need to undergo more rigorous quality control measures to ensure the entire batch meets the stringent purity standards required for pharmaceutical use.

In contrast, racemic mixtures and generic drugs usually do not command the same premium, as they involve simpler manufacturing processes or lower-cost ingredients. Combination drugs may also not be as expensive due to their formulation that can leverage existing, less costly compounds. Thus, enantiopure drugs are considered more valuable in terms of both efficacy and market price, depending on the therapeutic context and demand.