Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a brand-name IV infusion prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors.

Imfinzi is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

Read on to learn about Imfinzi and its cost. For details about the drug’s specific uses and more, see this article.

As with all medications, the cost of Imfinzi can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Imfinzi
  • whether Imfinzi has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Imfinzi will be for you, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Imfinzi contains the active ingredient durvalumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version.

A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications. Therefore, the cost of a durvalumab biosimilar, if available, would most likely be less than Imfinzi.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you need financial support to pay for Imfinzi or need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • The Imfinzi Co-pay Savings Program is available for Imfinzi. For more information and to determine your eligibility for support, call 844-275-2360 or visit the program website. (This site also lists payment assistance foundations independent of Imfinzi’s manufacturer).
  • Another savings option, called the AZ&Me Prescription Savings Program, is available for Imfinzi. To learn more, call 800-292-6363 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Imfinzi.

How much does Imfinzi cost with insurance?

If you have insurance, your cost for Imfinzi depends on such factors as:

  • your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive your Imfinzi doses
  • whether you apply and qualify for a cost-savings program

To find out how much Imfinzi will cost with insurance, contact your insurance provider or doctor.

How does the cost of Imfinzi compare with the cost of drugs like Imjudo?

The price you would pay for Imfinzi versus that of Imjudo depends on various factors, including:

  • the length of your treatment
  • whether there are savings and payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
  • whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance

Imjudo is approved in combination with Imfinzi to treat certain types of liver cancer and lung cancer. The manufacturer of both drugs, AstraZeneca, offers certain savings programs. For details, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section just above.

To learn more about the cost of Imfinzi compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Imfinzi.

Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Imfinzi. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Imfinzi regarding your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without it, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Imfinzi requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage: Imfinzi is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Imfinzi doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Imfinzi doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or insurance provider.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.