There has been a lot of news this week about the outrageously high cost of Xtandi, a drug for advanced prostate cancer. Although developed with funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Xtandi (enzalutamide) is being sold to Americans at about four times the price at which it is sold in other countries. In January, a petition was sent to have the U.S. government step in and require that Xtandi be priced more fairly for Americans. More recently, several congresspeople and senators, including Bernie Sanders, reiterated this request with their own letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the NIH.
According to the petition, the Japanese company licensed to sell Xtandi, Astellas Pharma Inc., and its U.S. marketing partner, Medivation Inc. charge an average wholesale price of $88.48 per 40 mg capsule in the U.S. However, in Japan the price is just $26.37, in Australia, it is $23.46, and just across the border in Canada the price is only $20.12.
If you only had to take a few capsules of Xtandi for a short time, this might not be such a big deal. But a standard dose of Xtandi is 4 capsules per day for months at a time. That’s 120 pills per month. So the cost of just a one-month supply of 120 pills at the average wholesale price is $10,617. That’s right, over $10,000 per month! If you must get Xtandi and you don’t have insurance which covers it, what are you to do?
First, if you have no insurance or poor insurance and a household income of $100,000 or less, you can apply to get Xtandi for free through Astellas, which may also offer other financial support.
If that doesn’t work for you, another less expensive option (short of travelling to another country) would be to order Xtandi from a verified international online pharmacy, which will send the medication to you from a licensed pharmacy in another country, such as Canada. Currently, several PharmacyChecker.com-verified online pharmacies sell Xtandi for about $41 per 40 mg capsule – about half the cost in the U.S. If you prefer to get your medication from a U.S. pharmacy, many pharmacies offer or accept discount cards which can bring the cost down a little, but only to about $75 per capsule.
It is ridiculous that American taxpayers helped develop this drug but are charged the most to get it. Hopefully, things will change.
My husband has advanced prostate cancer, he makes way less than the figure above and gets his medication through his company’s medical insurance, he is really sick and weak but despite his condition still works, there is no way he can afford XTANDI
If he stops working. He thinks he is going to work until he can no longer work.
I am health care provider I wonder how one month the ask for $2400 one month then the next month they ask for $600 copay tired of being riped off by pharmaries
Its a shame that congress lets people in this country get screwed when paying top price for prescription drugs. If congress had the same health care coverage that we have I’m sure things would change
Amen!
Just slugged down my first four pills. Fortunately for me, and I’m eight years into my prostate cancer, the manufacturer authorized a year grant for the medication. So that’s good ….I told my oncologist when he put me on these there was no way I could afford this, and he and the cancer center I’m treated at took it from there. So we’re off the races now…..
I am into my third month of taking Xtandi, my last PSA count has plummeted down to 0.64 (below the average for my age)and fortunately this medication is subsidised by the OZ government health scheme, so I pay $5.20 per 120 capsuls. The full price on the box is AU$3701.
How ? My husband has stage 4proztate cancer. Oncologist wanted him on Zandi but ins. will not cover it. We live on 26,000 as my husband had to take early social security. He’s 62 wanted to work until 66.
so you are saying you pay $5.20 per cap? and you take how many caps per day?
My husbands dr. Wants to put him on xtandi. The cost is 5,000. Per month. His plan does not cover it. Where are you getting it from at 5.20 per capsule
My husband was just put on Xandia . We cannot afford this wonderful life extending drug. He insurance is Florida Blue and Medicare. Please help us to afford this drug. Please
Hi Chester, Sorry to hear that. Check with your insurance to see if they cover it. If you have poor insurance and a household income of $100,000 or less, you can apply to get Xtandi for free through Astellas, which may also offer other financial support: https://www.xtandihcp.com/support-solutions Another option: Before you buy Xtandi, compare the lowest cost Xtandi prices from PharmacyChecker-verified online pharmacies. The price range for Xtandi 40 mg is $33.33 – $42.23 per pill/unit. Compare here: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/xtandi/?sort=cost_per_unit
If you have Medicare and you make over $50T. They WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE MED XTANDI. I’ve been researching for 3 months for my dear hubby. God bless you all.
Hi, Lucia, I asked only because my father has prostate cancer but he is in the Philippines and I’m in Canada the doctor told my sister he needs this medication because here is PSA so high can you help me what should I do can.?
Thank you for responding I’m appreciate
Hi Evangeline — You can compare prices among international pharmacies here: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/xtandi/?sort=cost_per_unit Many ship globally.
you need to find a medicare part D plan that covers xtandi. Simply look online and change or add this coverage for about $30 per mo.; You still have to pay %5 of the cost, but at least that is affordable in most cases. That is about $500 per mo.
I am NOT a U.S. citizen or on Medicare and don’t have any kind of medical insurance. I plan to visit my son living in the US who is a citizen. Currently I am on treatment with Xtandi 40mg (or equivalent generatic) for prostate cancer.
Do I qualify to buy it at a discounted price or with coupons and at what price.
Compare prices for Xtandi here: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/xtandi/?sort=cost_per_unit#! Its generic here: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/enzalutamide/40+mg/?sort=cost_per_unit
Was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer about 1yr/9mth.ago, my fault never went to Dr. Did Chemo and Lupron.Followed up with Bicautimide which was getting ineffective. Will be starting Xtandi tomorrow. I have insurance and pay $40 for 120 tablets, guess I am lucky. Still working, feel ok. Everyone be positive and stay strong! Jim
Through what kind of medical I need help for my husband. PLEASE
Check your Facebook messenger, Mary.
Will be able to supply from 1-6 months coverage (per order) of Xtandi® Enzalutamide (Astellas Pharma) on request if needed at fairly “reasonable” price. Shipped from the EU. :: 1 month (112 caps) = $1,772,00 :: Best wishes CA
Hello
Is it possible to have the link to get the medication at that price please
It looks like the cheapest price listed by verified online pharmacies at the moment is $33.33/pill for 120 40 mg tablets. https://www.pharmacychecker.com/brand/price-comparison/xtandi/40+mg/cpp/
Hello,
I would like to know how to get the cheapest price for 100 mg Xtandi for a poor man, who lives in overseas.
Please help!
Thank you and God bless you.
It’s still quite expensive, but you can check shipping locations of these accredited online pharmacies: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/xtandi/?sort=cost_per_unit
You have to be dirt poor or super rich to be able to have this drug.
Poor gets it to you for free but if you have an averagae income for middle class the co-pay is so high you can’t afford it. Of course the super rich can afford medication at any price. HOW SAD FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS INCOME PATIENT!
I am a 73 year old retired man and has been dealing with prostate cancer since 1998. I cannot afford the price of Enzalutamide which my oncologist has recommended for my case.
could you please help me to see where I can purchase even the generic brand .
Hi Samuel– Before you buy Xtandi (enzalutamide), compare the lowest cost Xtandi prices from PharmacyChecker-verified online pharmacies. The price range for Xtandi 40 mg is $32.42 – $42.23 per pill or unit. See link: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/xtandi/
in Ontario,the cost is 4,200.a month. criminal i would call it. extortion in the US. i have insurance. the Hosp. i deal w/ has a catastrophic drug reimbursement program for those who cannot afford it or have insurance. paid for by donations. check to see if your Hosp. has such a Dept. also, as the article stated to can contact Astellas
Health care should not be such a struggle
All the Best
Can we buy this without description and how long do we need to get this medical
Hi Judith – You will need a prescription from pharmacies verified by PharmacyChecker. Please contact the pharmacies for details on delivery times.
Why are they charging so much when they took go t research grants. I have a business, i supply a specialty precision grading that few others are capable of. I could charge much more than i do, bit i remember the customer has to si5rvice the experience. Then they grant a 15 yr patent and it was cofunded by the US military! I now see this japanese owned pharmaceutical as truly nefarious.
My husband has advanced prostrate cancer. Has been on it ZITIGA for three years and we have had good luck with it up til now, but the Zitiga has stopped working for him and his PSA level has gone up to 24. Johnson and Johnson has been kind enough to give the Zitiga medication to us, as he is 75 years old and we are living on social security income. We do have medicare, suppliment, and drug insurance but it seems nothing covers the full cost of Xtandi that they have recommended for him to take next. Please advise any resources we might contact where we could get help with the cost of this medicine. He is in good health other than this condition.
Hi Sherry — You could possibly qualify to get Xtandi for free or reduced cost through Astellas, which may also offer other financial support: https://www.xtandi.com/financial-support