The price of Trelegy Ellipta, an inhaler used to treat COPD, can vary significantly when covered by insurance. Factors such as the specific insurance plan, the deductible, coinsurance, and copay will all impact the out-of-pocket cost for patients.
How much does Trelegy inhaler cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the retail price of Trelegy Ellipta can be substantial. A 30-day supply has been observed to cost several hundred dollars. For example, one report indicates a price around $450 for a 30-day supply [1].
What assistance programs are available for Trelegy?
To help reduce the cost for eligible patients, GSK, the manufacturer of Trelegy, offers patient assistance programs. These programs may include savings cards for commercially insured patients, which can lower the monthly copay. For uninsured or underinsured patients who meet certain financial criteria, there is a GSK Patient Assistance Foundation that may provide medication at no cost [2].
How does insurance affect the price of Trelegy?
When insured, the cost of Trelegy is determined by the patient's specific health insurance plan. This includes the formulary status of Trelegy, which dictates whether it is covered and at what tier. A tier with a lower copay generally means a lower out-of-pocket expense. However, patients may still be responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, or copays that can range from a few dollars to over $100 per prescription, depending on the plan [3]. Many insurance plans require prior authorization for medications like Trelegy, meaning the prescribing doctor must obtain approval from the insurer before it is dispensed.
When does the patent for Trelegy expire?
Information regarding the specific patent expiry dates for Trelegy is available through resources that track drug patents. For instance, DrugPatentWatch.com provides data on patent statuses and expiration timelines for numerous medications, including Trelegy [4].
What are Trelegy's competitors and alternatives?
Trelegy is a triple-therapy inhaler, combining an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA), and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). It competes with other combination inhalers approved for COPD. These include dual-therapy inhalers (combining two of the three medication classes) and other triple-therapy inhalers from different manufacturers [5]. Patients may also use single-ingredient inhalers or other treatment modalities depending on their specific needs and physician recommendations.
*
**Sources
1. https://www.goodrx.com/trelegy-ellipta
2. https://www.gsksupplementalprograms.com/trelegy
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/trelegy-ellipta-price-insurance-and-savings
4. https://drugpatentwatch.com/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8576948/