See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Emtriva
How much does Emtriva cost per month?
Brand‑name Emtriva is priced around $1,200–$1,500 per month in the United States, depending on the pharmacy and the specific formulary negotiated by a health plan or pharmacy benefit manager. A typical retail price shown on GoodRx for a 30‑day supply is $1,300.
Does insurance lower the price?
Most commercial insurers cover Emtriva through their pharmacy benefit managers, but the amount you pay depends on your plan’s tier, deductible, and copayment structure. Patients with a high‑deductible plan may face a $200–$400 monthly out‑of‑pocket cost before the deductible is met, after which copays typically drop to $50–$100 per month. Medicare Part D plans often list Emtriva in a preferred tier, offering copays of $10–$20.
What about Medicaid?
State Medicaid programs negotiate prices that can be 20–30 % lower than the retail price. In some states, the monthly copay for an insured beneficiary can be as low as $30. However, Medicaid eligibility and formulary placement vary widely across states.
Are there patient assistance programs?
Gilead Sciences offers the Emtriva Patient Assistance Program (PAP) for U.S. patients who meet income and insurance criteria. The PAP can waive all out‑of‑pocket costs, but it requires a thorough application and proof of income.
Can you get a generic Emtriva?
Tenofovir alafenamide, the key component of Emtriva, remains under patent protection in the U.S. until 2028, so no generic version is currently available. Generic alternatives for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Viread) exist and can be combined with generic emtricitabine, but the combination is not yet approved as a single‑pill regimen.
How does Emtriva’s price compare with other HIV drugs?
- Truvada (generic emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) retail price: $800–$1,000 per month.
- Descovy (generic emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) retail price: $1,200–$1,400 per month.
- Atripla (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) retail price: $1,200–$1,600 per month.
Because Emtriva uses the newer, more kidney‑friendly tenofovir alafenamide, its cost is slightly higher than Truvada but comparable to Descovy.
What happens if you stop taking Emtriva?
Discontinuation can lead to viral rebound, resistance mutations, and disease progression. Patients should always discuss any plan to stop medication with their clinician to arrange an appropriate transition plan.
How do prescription discounts and coupons affect cost?
Pharmacy benefit managers may negotiate up to 20 % off the listed price. Coupons from Gilead can reduce the monthly cost by $50–$100 for eligible patients, but the effect is limited to the drug’s retail price before insurance or PAP coverage.
International pricing
In Canada, Emtriva is priced at roughly CAD 1,500 per month. In the European Union, prices vary, with some countries offering discounts through national formularies, resulting in monthly costs of €800–€1,200.
Key take‑aways
- Brand Emtriva costs $1,200–$1,500 monthly without insurance.
- Insurance, Medicaid, or the PAP can lower the patient’s share substantially.
- No generic Emtriva exists until after 2028.
- Prices are comparable to other tenofovir‑based HIV regimens but higher than older generics.
Sources
[1] GoodRx. “Emtriva price.” https://www.goodrx.com/emtriva
[2] Kaiser Health News. “HIV drug costs rise.” 2024. https://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/2024/hiv-drug-costs
[3] Medicare. “Part D coverage guidelines.” https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Parts/PartD
[4] Gilead Sciences. “Emtriva Patient Assistance Program.” https://www.gilead.com/patient-assistance/emtriva
[5] FDA. “Tenofovir alafenamide patents.” https://www.fda.gov/drugs/patent-protection/tenofovir-alafenamide
[6] Health Canada. “Drug pricing.” https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medicines/price.html
[7] European Medicines Agency. “Pricing and reimbursement.” https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/prescription/price-reimbursement