Erivedge cost without insurance?

See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Erivedge

How much does Erivedge cost without insurance?
Erivedge’s list price is roughly $70 000 per year, or about $1 900 per day for a typical 70‑kg adult on the standard 2‑month cycle of dabrafenib and trametinib. That figure represents the wholesale acquisition cost that most pharmacies bill before any insurer or pharmacy‑benefit manager steps in [1].

Do discounts or coupons help reduce the price?
Pharmacies sometimes apply manufacturer‑issued coupons that lower the out‑of‑pocket cost by a few percent, but the savings are modest compared to the full list price. Because Erivedge is sold under a branded name, generic discounts are not available until the drug’s patents expire, expected around 2030 [2].

What assistance programs can lower the bill?
Bristol‑Myers Squibb offers a Patient Assistance Program that may cover the entire cost for patients who earn below a set income threshold and do not have insurance. Eligibility requires proof of income, residency, and the lack of other coverage. The program is free to qualify for, but the application process can take several weeks [3].

Is there a generic version coming soon?
The BRAF V600E inhibitor combination is protected by several patents that expire between 2028 and 2031. Once those expire, generic manufacturers could enter the market, likely driving the price down significantly. No generic is currently approved in the U.S. [2].

How does Erivedge’s price compare with other BRAF therapies?
For patients with metastatic BRAF‑mutated melanoma, dabrafenib (Zykadia) plus trametinib (Truqap) also costs about $70 000 per year. Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) alone is cheaper—around $55 000 per year—but lacks the combination that Erivedge offers for certain non‑small‑cell lung cancers. Thus, Erivedge’s cost is comparable to other full‑spectrum BRAF inhibitors [1].

What can patients do if the cost is too high?
1. Check eligibility for the manufacturer assistance program.
2. Ask the prescribing doctor about clinical trials, some of which provide treatment at no cost.
3. Compare pharmacy prices and negotiate for a lower price.
4. Explore state or federal aid programs that cover specialty drugs.
5. Ask a pharmacist or social worker to help navigate patient‑assistance resources.

These steps can reduce the out‑of‑pocket cost dramatically, even though the list price remains high.

Sources
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com – list price data for Erivedge.
[2] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com – patent expiration timeline for Erivedge.
[3] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com – Bristol‑Myers Squibb patient assistance program details.