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Some Good News (Imatinib Pricing)


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#1 r06ue1

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 05:49 AM

Just found out this information on Friday; Gleevec (brand name) is the same price as the generic which is $5,000 per 30 day supply of 400 mg.  

 

I had been asking to switch to the generic as I was concerned that the co-pay card would run out of money (and I had completed using the copay card for what I wanted from it), the pharmacist called me with that information so I decided to stay on the brand name.  It appears that Novartis is working with some insurance companies (I'm with Anthem Blue Cross this year) to keep their business and compete with the generic manufacturers, how long that will last, who knows, but it is good to hear.


08/2015 Initial PCR: 66.392%

12/2015 PCR: 1.573%

03/2016 PCR: 0.153%

06/2016 PCR: 0.070%

09/2016 PCR: 0.052%

12/2016 PCR: 0.036%

03/2017 PCR: 0.029%

06/2017 PCR: 0.028%

09/2017 PCR: 0.025%

12/2017 PCR: 0.018%

 

 

Taking Imatinib 400 mg


#2 Buzzm1

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 06:19 AM

Express-Scripts generic imatinib mesylate 90 - 100 mg retail cost $1593.82 which would put the 400mg 30day Rx in the $2100 range.  


For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature

 

02/2010 Gleevec 400mg

2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive

2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU

2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive

2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)

2015 300, 250, 200, 150

2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR

2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000

2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17

 

At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.  

 

In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.  

 

longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation.   GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.

 

Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams

 

Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.  

 

Trey's CML BlogStopping - The OddsStop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study

Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt


#3 r06ue1

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 07:47 AM

Just going by what my pharmacist told me, she said that the insurer had negotiated a deal where the brand name would be sold at the same price as the generic, what that is (as of today) I have no idea.


08/2015 Initial PCR: 66.392%

12/2015 PCR: 1.573%

03/2016 PCR: 0.153%

06/2016 PCR: 0.070%

09/2016 PCR: 0.052%

12/2016 PCR: 0.036%

03/2017 PCR: 0.029%

06/2017 PCR: 0.028%

09/2017 PCR: 0.025%

12/2017 PCR: 0.018%

 

 

Taking Imatinib 400 mg


#4 Dom

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 12:47 PM

Doesn't it depend on the pharmacy? Because I get wildly different prices at different pharmacies. I just now bought generic imatinib at Walmart for $8000. With express scripts Medicare part d, I got it for $500. Other pharmacies were much higher, both retail and the insurance price. Shop rite had it for 15,000.

I'm going to create a thread which I will update each month to give what I pay out of pocket with express scripts.

Diagnosed in February 2014. Started Imatinib 400 in April.
2014:     3.18     0.91
2015:     0.22     0.16     0.04     0.55
2016:     0.71     0.66

(Started Imatinib 600 in April 2016)
2016:     0.42     0.13     0.45
2017:     0.17     0.06     0.10     0.06     0.34


#5 Buzzm1

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Posted 27 March 2017 - 12:59 PM

I'm going to create a thread which I will update each month to give what I pay out of pocket with express scripts.

There is already an existing thread on Medicare Part D TKI costs ... Hannibellemo (Pat) and shweflen are prime contributors on their Medicare Part D costs ... it would be greatly appreciated if you added to it ... 

http://community.lls...-d-and-sprycel/... thank you in advance 


For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature

 

02/2010 Gleevec 400mg

2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive

2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU

2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive

2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)

2015 300, 250, 200, 150

2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR

2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000

2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17

 

At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.  

 

In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.  

 

longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation.   GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.

 

Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams

 

Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.  

 

Trey's CML BlogStopping - The OddsStop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study

Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt


#6 chriskuo

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Posted 28 March 2017 - 02:20 AM

PBMs are spending advertising dollars to "educate" Americans 

 

http://drugbenefitso...s-reduce-costs/



#7 chriskuo

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Posted 28 March 2017 - 02:24 AM

At the web site linked to in the previous post, there are a total of 6 "educational" cartoons on drug pricing.

 

Of course, the PBMs did lift the veil on their practices very much.






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