How Much Does Vumerity Cost?
The retail price of Vumerity (daclizumab) is approximately $7,831 for 30 capsules of 10 mg, according to GoodRx [1]. However, the actual cost can vary significantly based on insurance coverage, pharmacy location, and available discounts or coupons [1].
What Factors Influence Vumerity Pricing?
Several factors contribute to the overall cost of Vumerity:
* Insurance Coverage: Prescription drug plans often have different tiers that affect co-pays or co-insurance for medications like Vumerity. Prior authorization may also be required [2].
* Patient Assistance Programs: Biogen, the manufacturer of Vumerity, offers patient assistance programs that may reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible individuals [3]. These programs can include co-pay cards or support for those who are uninsured or underinsured [2][3].
* Pharmacy Pricing: Different pharmacies may have varying markups on prescription drugs, leading to price differences between locations [1].
* Generic Availability: As of now, Vumerity is not available in a generic form, meaning patients are purchasing the branded medication [4].
What is Vumerity Used For?
Vumerity is a prescription medication used to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) [2]. It is a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator [2].
How Does Vumerity Work?
Vumerity works by affecting the movement of certain white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the body. It traps these lymphocytes in lymph nodes, preventing them from entering the brain and spinal cord, where they can cause inflammation and damage in MS [2].
When Did Vumerity Become Available?
Vumerity was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2019 [5].
What Are Alternatives to Vumerity?
Other S1P receptor modulators used for relapsing MS include fingolimod (Gilenya), siponimod (Mayzent), ozanimod (Zeposia), and ponesimod (Ponvrio) [4][6]. Other classes of disease-modifying therapies for MS also exist [7].
What Are the Risks Associated with Vumerity?
Vumerity carries significant risks, including a boxed warning for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but serious brain infection that can be fatal or cause severe disability [2]. Other serious risks include infections, bradycardia (slow heart rate), liver injury, and respiratory problems [2]. Patients should be closely monitored by a healthcare professional during treatment [2].
Sources:
1. https://www.goodrx.com/vumerity
2. https://www.vumerity.com/
3. https://www.biogen.com/en_us/patients/patient-support.html
4. DrugPatentWatch.com
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, October 30). FDA approves Vumerity (daclizumab) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-for-patients-and-providers/fda-approves-vumerity-daclizumab-relapsing-forms-multiple-sclerosis
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/in-depth/multiple-sclerosis-treatment/art-20047018
7. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Medications