Table of Contents
I. Why is Eliquis so Expensive in the United States?
II. Ordering Eliquis from a Canadian Pharmacy: A Cost-Saving Alternative
III. What About Insurance Coverage for Eliquis?
Eliquis (generic name apixaban) is one of the most popular anticoagulant medications on the market today, prescribed to treat and prevent blood clots and to prevent stroke by acting as a factor Xa inhibitor, or in other words, as a “blood thinner.”
Eliquis is a preferred anticoagulant in many cases because it requires less monitoring and has less drug interactions than common alternatives, such as warfarin. It also has no dietary restrictions.
For patients recovering from a DVT or PE, or who need to take anticoagulant medication on an ongoing basis for another reason, Eliquis is one of the safest and most reliable options.
But it’s also the most expensive, especially in the U.S. Even with Medicare or private insurance, Eliquis can cost thousands of dollars annually. Without insurance, the cost skyrockets.
Fortunately, there are ways to purchase Eliquis at a lower cost even if you’re paying out of pocket, and in this guide we’ll outline them in detail. What follows is a pricing guide to help you navigate your options for accessing and paying for Eliquis in 2023.
Quick Takeaways
- The price of prescription drugs in the U.S. is more than 200% that of other countries around the world.
- The price of Eliquis is driven up further because no generic option exists on U.S. markets (and won’t be available until 2028).
- Even with health insurance coverage, Eliquis can cost patients more than $200 monthly.
- Ordering Eliquis from Canadian pharmacies like My Drug Center can save patients more than $1400 each month.
- Patients can also order the generic version of Eliquis from Canadian pharmacies for additional cost savings.
Why is Eliquis so Expensive in the United States?
There’s no way around it: The cost of Eliquis in the United States is high—even unaffordable— for many people who need the medication.
The price of prescription drugs in general in the United States is notoriously high. One recent report found that drug prices are 118% higher in the U.S. than its closest neighbor, Canada, and the gap is even bigger between the U.S. and other countries around the world. [1]
When compared to all other countries combined, U.S. prescription drug prices were a whopping 256% of those in other countries.
The reasons for this disparity are manifold and include factors like:
Lack of Price Regulation
Unlike many other countries, the U.S. does not have a centralized system for regulating and negotiating drug prices. Pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. have more freedom to set prices based on market demand and recoup their research and development costs.
Patent Protection
Pharmaceutical companies hold patents for brand-name drugs, which grants them exclusive rights to produce and sell those drugs for a specific period. During this time, they can charge higher prices to recover the costs of research, development, and clinical trials. Other countries often have more stringent regulations and mechanisms to encourage generic competition, which helps lower prices.
Direct-to-Consumer Ads
The U.S. is one of the few countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical companies spend significant amounts on advertising, which adds to the overall cost of drugs.
Fragmented Market
The U.S. healthcare system comprises various private insurance companies, government programs, and individual payers. This fragmentation leads to a lack of unified bargaining power, making it difficult to negotiate lower prices for drugs.
Research and Development Costs
The U.S. pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in research and development to discover and develop new drugs. The costs associated with drug development, including clinical trials and regulatory processes, are often passed on to consumers.
For Eliquis specifically, the problem is compounded by the fact that there is no generic version of the drug available on the U.S. prescription market. And while the FDA did recently approve a generic version of Eliquis, it won’t be available for sale in the U.S. until 2028.
As a result, the market price of Eliquis in the United States is above $500 and can jump to more than $700 depending on dosage and the patient’s area of residency.
Ordering Eliquis from a Canadian Pharmacy: A Cost-Saving Alternative
Canadian pharmacies offer a cost-saving alternative for ordering Eliquis that can save patients hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year on their medication. At My Drug Center, for example, 180 2.5 mg Eliquis pills costs $397, while the Costco Pharmacy charges $1800+ for the same order. By ordering from My Drug Center, patients can save more than $1400!
Even better: While the generic version of Eliquis can’t be sold anywhere in the United States, U.S. residents can order it legally from Canadian pharmacies. Pharmacies like My Drug Center offer several ordering options (online, phone, email, snail mail) and fast shipping to make the process easy, convenient, and reliable.
Ordering the generic version of Eliquis from My Drug Center saves patients even more—an order for 180 2.5mg Apixaban pills is only $186.
What About Insurance Coverage for Eliquis?
Eliquis is covered by major insurance providers, including Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plans.
But Eliquis falls under Tier 3 on the Medicare formulary (and is categorized similarly by other health insurance providers), meaning it requires higher copays. That’s because it’s a brand name drug with no current generic alternative in the United States.
Be sure to check with your insurance provider to understand the final cost you’ll be responsible for related to your Eliquis prescription. Even with insurance coverage, monthly for 60 pills can exceed $200 even with insurance.
Take into account the number of pills you’ll receive each month and how those costs compare to low-cost alternatives such as Canadian pharmacies.
Final Takeaways
There’s no doubt that Eliquis is one of the best anticoagulant medications on the market, but its high price point leads to affordability and accessibility issues for patients who need it—even those with health insurance. For uninsured patients, the $500-$700 price point can be impossible to meet.
Canadian Pharmacies like My Drug Center offer a safe, affordable, and reliable alternative that can save individual consumers more than $1400 per month. They allow patients to prioritize their health and well-being without worrying about its financial cost. In the end, the elimination of financial barriers and stress surrounding prescriptions leads to a happier, healthier lifestyle.
Learn more about how to order from My Drug Center today.
DISCLAIMER: The information in the article is not meant to be used for treatment or diagnosis. It is designed for general awareness and for information purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for your specific healthcare needs.
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