More than six million Americans suffer from atrial fibulation (AFib), a heart condition that puts them at a much higher risk for blood clots and can cause a stroke. Strokes are most often seen in people over 65, and can lead to paralysis and death.
There are many anticoagulants (blood thinning drugs) used to prevent strokes, Coumadin (warfarin) being one of the oldest and most commonly used. But Coumadin is not right for some people: it can cause heavy internal bleeding and requires regular and frequent blood tests.
One of the newer medications, Eliquis, has been shown to have a lower risk of major bleeding and is better for people suffering from kidney disease. It is also effective as a medication for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is caused when blood clots form in large veins, usually in the legs, and often in those with restricted mobility, such as people who are recovering from surgery.
But Eliquis can be expensive. If you don’t have insurance or are underinsured and have to pay out-of-pocket, the retail price is around $1,182.00 for a 90 day supply at a local U.S. pharmacy. Americans are at serious risk if they can’t afford this medication, especially seniors who are most likely to suffer a stroke. Despite Medicare Part D coverage, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 13% of poorer Americans over the age of 65 did not take their medication as prescribed.1 And that can put their health and even their lives at risk.
There are ways of reducing the cost of Eliquis (see the table below). If you use a pharmacy discount card, you may be able to get it down to about $1,021 at your local U.S. pharmacy. But that still works out to over $4,080 per year. For many Americans those prices are out of reach. Fortunately, Eliquis 5mg, 90 days’ supply, is only $401.99 using a verified international online pharmacy, a savings of more than $3,100 versus the retail pharmacy price over a year’s time.
If you have AFib, and are prescribed Eliquis by a doctor, it’s vital for you to stay on your medication. Hopefully these price comparisons help you evaluate the best option for your health and savings. If you decide to buy internationally, remember, when using an online pharmacy, makes sure it’s one that’s been verified by PharmacyChecker.com.
Compare drug prices for Eliquis.
| Program | Price | Savings over Local Pharmacy | Percent Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Pharmacy* | $1,181.97 | — | — | — |
| Pharmacy Discount Card* | $1,021.88 | $160.09 | 14% | $640.36 |
| International Online Pharmacy | $401.99 | $779.99 | 66% | $3,119.94 |
*Savings based on lowest price listed on PharmacyChecker.com compared to local U.S. pharmacy price (8/21/15).
1 Center for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics, http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db184.htm
Why am I not surprised? Before I turned 65 I had a private healthcare insurance plan. I paid under $15 for a three month supply of Atelvia DR 35mg. Then I turned 65 and by law I had to go on Medicare. The price of a three month supply of Atelvia DR 35mg became $90. Then Obamacare kicked in and the price for a three month supply of Atelvia DR 35mg became $750. Now I get a three month supply of Atelvia DR 35mg from Canada for $190 including shipping. I plan to move all the prescriptions for medications that go up in price to a Canadian pharmacy.
Oh my! I’m looking at the same situation with Medicare and Multaq! It’s criminal!
Hello
My husband is 69 and was just put on Eliquis today, was shocked at the price for it. How do you get your scripts from Canada?
Thanks
Hi Janet– You can order Eliquis from any of these verified online pharmacies. Just click the link https://www.pharmacychecker.com/brand/eliquis-prices and then click the logo of the pharmacy of your choice to order through them. You must have a prescription.
I am 83 and have A-Fib, for which my cardiologist originally prescribed 325mg of aspirin daily. Terrific … who can’t live with that? He then (recently) took me off aspirin, and prescribed Eliquis — a proven blood thinner, which reduces the formation of blood clots — to replace the aspirin. Who can live with that? Not I, an average, retired American Joe (and Jill), who is sick of being ripped off by American pharmaceutical companies and the morally reprehensible prices they charge for critical, life-saving drugs. Memo to all of them: Eliminate the outrageous amount of national advertising you feel is necessary (b.s.) to introduce your product, and pass the savings on to patients who literally can’t live without it.
Hi Leslie –
Thank you so much for sharing your situation with and frustration about drug prices. If you can’t afford Eliquis locally then our verifications of international online pharmacies and drug comparisons might help you. Here are online price comparisons for Eliquis.
I agree with the substance and tone of this note. About the only thing left out is the coincidence that Pradaxa and Xeralta (sp) are priced pretty much to the penny with Eliquis.
Good point Ronald
The Phara companies charge higher than normal prices on certain drugs for one major reason, They can..We seniors are dependent on them, actually more than dependent, we are addicted. Eliquis is a good example,pay the credulous price or face having a possible stroke. Buy the drug with food money and eat lower quality food which in turn leads to higher HDL & a higher risk for a stroke. Catch 22 with a less than happy ending. It just is what it is.
The $400 RX deductible is what is prohibitive for me. In Social Security paying that in one month is probibitive. My only alternative is selling my car which I am currently pursuing. I was previously on Pradaxa and a customer loyalty cost of $10 monthly which immediately terminated when my insurance plan became Medicare.
I WAS SHOCKED WHAT HAD BEEN 48 DOLLARS THEN NEXT MONTH 164 DOLLARS THEN 294 DOLLARS FOR 60 PILLS 5MG. 1 MONTH. IN A FIB.FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. YOU TAKE CHANCE GOING BACK ON WARAFIN. WHAT AM I TO DO?
So the drugs that come from India, Turkey or any country are safe as long as the Canadian Drug Company you order from is listed on Pharmacy Checker website?
PharmacyChecker verifies online pharmacies for consumers’ safety while shopping for medication online, ensuring they avoid counterfeit medications. Peer-reviewed studies, based on testing of prescription medication and online pharmacy practices, strongly demonstrate the safety of ordering medications from an international online pharmacy approved in the PharmacyChecker Verification Program. To read more about peer-reviewed research on ordering internationally, visit https://www.nber.org/papers/w17955. Here is a list of legitimate online pharmacies to which you may want to send your prescription if they carry your medication: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/accredited-online-pharmacies/