Gleevec 400 mg tablets photo credit: Patrick Pelletier Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-3.0
Americans interested in generic drug prices and pharmaceutical patent law have been closely following the U.S. Supreme Court as it hears arguments in a case over āpay-for-delayā Ā ā Ā the practice of brand-name drug-makers seeking greater profits by paying off generic manufacturers to delay introduction of low-cost generic drugs. If āpay-for-delayā tactics are declared unconstitutional, then generics would reach pharmacy shelves faster, translating to lower prices for consumers, health insurers, and taxpayers.
The Courtās decision isnāt expected until June, but last Monday the Supreme Court of another country rendered another decision related to generics that may affect American prices. Indiaās Supreme Court ruled against the drug company Novartisā patent claim on Gleevec, a cancer medication. Since Indiaās decision allows drug companies to continue manufacturing generic versions of Gleevec, called imatinib mesylate, prices will remain exceedingly low in India and low-income countries that import Indian pharmaceuticals.
So how much cheaper is generic Gleevec in Indian pharmacies than brand name Gleevec in American pharmacies? The New York Times reported that a one-year supply of brand name Gleevec in the U.S. is a staggering $70,000. The generic in India is only $2,500!
Additionally, even though Gleevec is under patent in other high-income countries like it is in the U.S., it is far less expensive internationally. At a local New York City pharmacy the price for 30 pills of Gleevec (400mg) is $6,980. The same brand name Gleevec (400 mg) from a Canadian pharmacy is just under $3,700. The same drug (but marketed by Novartis as Glivic), can be ordered online from Turkey for $2,979. Ā Thatās a potential savings of $4,000 a month! If you choose to buy Gleevec or any medication online, to protect your health, stick to verified online pharmacies, such as those approved by PharmacyChecker.com.
In the wake of the Indian Supreme Courtās decision, it would not be surprising if Novartis reacts by raising Gleevec prices here in America to bolster profits. Ā Governments of other high-income countries probably wonāt allow Novartis to raise prices on Gleevec, due to price controls. This is patently unfair to Americans, who should not have to pay so much more for the same medication than citizens of other high-income countries.
This is very interesting news and gives us a little hope. My husband has Chronic Myloid Luekemia (CML). He has been on Gleevec (here in So. California for the past 12 years. I thought I should mention Gleevec here in the U.S. is $10,600.00 a month for 400mg (30 pills). I thought should mention this because your prices listed here in the U.S. are inaccurate. That would bring the total cost to $126,000. a year. We are going broke, will probably loose our home and my husband will probably never be able to retire (even though his body is breaking down from 40+ years of a very physical job as a pipe fitter. I (the wife), a permanently disabled. We will die homeless before this drug ever comes within a affordable price. Many children and adults are cutting their pills in half, which defects the purpose. They too, will die before seeing Gleevec reach an affordable price here in the U.S. All the countries you listed in the article, do NOT accept U.S. insurance companies and/or ObamaCare. Why doesn’t anyone bring this to the press? Why does Congress and ObamaCare turn a blind eye? How many hundreds have to die before this drug and options are researched. I have wrote many letters to Norvartis, only to be ignored. I have written to Media Outlets only to be ignored. Now I am desperately asking for your help in bringing this to the media and anyone that will listen. We and many others are scared out of our minds. We are really loosing hope and it is tearing families apart. Some patients are becoming sucidial, because they don’t know how they are going to afford the next months supply of Gleevec. Novartis (GREEDARTIS) should be ashamed of themselves. You should research the substantial increases (quarterly), since the drug first went on the market. It will blow you mind! What if this was your child or loved one?
Lisa, PharmacyChecker is not ignoring you. I’m very, very sorry for your situation and want and maybe able to help you get the word out. I’ll email you to see what we might do.
Warm regards,
Gabe
Hello Gabe,
Thank you for your response. I just sent a reply to the email you sent me. I can speak for all leukemia patients taking Gleevec, . . We all would appreciate any help before it’s too late.
Best regards,
Lisa
I guess I am luckier than many on Gleevec. I am paying 5% of the cost each month but the cost keeps going up. Our lives depend on this drug but still the cost is obscene. They praise themselves for creating this drugs for patients with XML but still we are forced to pay and many go broke. It is the cancer patient who has to pay up or die and they keep raising the cost. This is just wrong in so many ways and here we have the creators wanting go deny us the generic because they want that big money to keep rolling in. They should be ashamed of themselves.
lisa, we too are very concerned about the high price of gleevec.
my wife nancy was diag. in jan. of 2000. interferon for 18 months
and then gleevec was passed by fda soon after. since on gleevec we
have watched the prices go thru the roof and then some.
we do have insurance thru my former employment, but it runs out
in 3 years. nancy is in full remission and has been for 12 years.
we have been looking at CANADIAN PHARMACY ONLINE, and
it appears that the dosage she takes, {200 mg.} per day,the
generic, is quite a bit cheaper. 120 tabs for $275. take care,rob
I too am on Gleevec for GIST tumors. Be wary of generic version
as they are not created equal, AND dome have changed one molecular component.
In an article I just read on line a lukemia patient in remission tood the
generic when it became available and relapsed.
Have you tried the copay cards offered by Novartis? I do not qualify
for any because I am covered by Medicare, BUT my first month out of pocket was $3000. every month for the rest of the year I pay $515. per month.
My 75 yo husband was just dx with CML and is on Medicare. Our cost for the first month will be $4400 and $452 a month. Then, in January that price cycle starts all over for each year. He is considering not taking the medication unless we are accepted for assistance. This is tearing us apart.
how much is Novartis making a year and how much is the CEOs salary. I believe he makes over 10 million a year. Why do Medicare and insurance companies they have contracts paying a maximum allowed for medical care such as a MRI, dr visits, ect but has absolutely no control over drug prices. My insurance from work goes up every year and it was even stated the reason was because of the people, such as my self, were on very expensive CA drug. So everyone had to pay more. Why aren’t the politicians aware that this a huge factor for skyrocketing health care prices.
Two things. FIRST, I would confront your doctor. Glevec is NOT the only drug for CML. My son was on glevec, and had loose bowels and terrible cramps. His doctor did NOT even MENTION there were other drugs available. When I found out from a coworker (also suffering from CML) of other options, we confronted the doctor. Only THEN did she admit there were alternative. She switched him to Tisigna (at $40/pill) and his quality of life has skyrocketed. No more loose bowels and only minor occasional cramps. Challenge and question your doctor and don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion.
Horrible horrible drug co. What a rip off, you suck
its now 4 years later and th r drug has come down to $1,500-2,500 a month.i m on ssi and only get 1170 a month…i can get it and i had a grist tumor removed….this is still unfare to lower income people.
I am also very concerned about the cost of Gleevec. I can retire in Jan 2016 but I’m concerned I will not be able to find a suppliment to Medicare that will pay for my Gleevec. It looks like I might have to make a contact in India so I can get my prescriptions and live.,
Dear Lisa; I have been taking Sprycel (2nd generation to Gleevec) for over three years. Bristol-Meyer-Squibb has a foundation which will donate the drugs to you at no cost. You should ask you doctor, contact Bristol direct.
hi,
does anyone of you know if i can resell my glivic ( gleevic) i dont want to continue taking it and i still have 4 boxes ( 90 capsules) left which expire only in 2017.i would be willing to sell it at a much lower price.
Thank you,
sabine
I am interested if you still haveit.
My husband had cml. I am on disability for crohns. He I’d on gleevec and has to work to pay for this med. Very sad
THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS INFORMATION. I WORRY THAT IF I CAN EVER STOP WORKING, AND HAVE TO HAVE MEDICARE THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY ENOUGH OF THE COST AND I WON’T BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT. I AM ON 400 MG A DAY AND THANK GOODNESS FOR PROVIDENCE HEALTH INSURANCE I PAY FOR MYSELF. BUT MY PREMIUM JUST WENT UP TO 510 A MONTH. I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WILL GIVE UP TO PAY MY PREMIUM BUT SOMETHING WILL NEED TO GO.
My husband’s medicare supplement, United AARP,told us yesterday that our first month (initial stage of coverage) will be $4250. We will then rocket past the donut hole into catastrophic coverage and pay $452 a month. This price cycle starts all over every January. Hope the info is helpful, I know this is devastating news.
My husband is on 400mg and was able to get on disability and is now on Medicare. He has a Medicare D plan and it helps with the cost. In Jan he pays about 3,000.00 but then he is in catostophic coverage and from Feb -Dec he pays About 560.00. The best thing we ever did was purchased a cancer policy years ago before he was diagnosed. This helps with the out of pocket costs. This dosen’t help those all ready diagnosed but spread the word if you haven’t been diagnosed with cancer purchase a cancer policy. You can purchase from almost any insurance company.
Thanks for sharing that, Donna. I’m going to research that.
Why would gleevec 400 cost $2,500 a mon 11 yrs ago and be
$10,000 a mon now ? (Same qty, same dose ) sure hard on anyone having to use it on a very fixed income !!
Do the Medicare prescription drug plans try to make patients change to a less costly drug? My agent said once we go on Medicare drug plan they may drop the cancer drug from their formulary or make us try a cheaper drug to see if it works as well. Anyone have any info concerning this?
Yes as of 8/1 they have taken Gleevec off the approved list. BUT my
doctor just got an exception for me. It is case by case.
Also depends on which insurance company you have. Each has their own formulary.
When I first went on Gleevec 400 mg it was $2600.00 for thirty Today generic $ 9472.82
much happy that in our country(Pakistan ) govt. had paid for 5 years , now all patients are receiving it totally free ….
hi
is there any patient from EU ???? how you are receiving glivec in your respective country ? price ? or ant else govt. plan ?
plz all EU share with me , your response is much essential for me , i want to shift in EU
plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Hello Khan,
It depends in the EU, but for example in France it is free with the mandatory health insurance (which is free too).
I have a treatment with Sprycel (Dasatinib, 2nd and better version of Glivec) and I take it only 1 day on 2 … means that I got half my treatment wasted and int the other way I read that people in the other side of the oceans cannot pay for it š I hate that !
Good luck to all of you !