Loqtorzi (toripalimab-tpzi) is a brand-name intravenous (IV) solution prescribed for adults with a head and neck cancer called nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors.

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

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Loqtorzi (by IV infusion)
  • whether Loqtorzi has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below

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

Loqtorzi contains the active ingredient toripalimab-tpzi, 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). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

The reason “-tpzi” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

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 Loqtorzi, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called Loqtorzi Solutions is available for Loqtorzi. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 844-483-3692 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:

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 cost and Loqtorzi.

How much does Loqtorzi cost with insurance?

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

  • your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
  • your dosage of the drug
  • whether you apply and qualify for a savings program
  • your cost to visit your healthcare professional or hospital to receive your dose of Loqtorzi (by IV infusion)

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

Is Loqtorzi covered by Medicare?

It may be. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug.

Keep in mind that the total price may also depend on the cost to receive your Loqtorzi infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication. For details about this, see “Insurance considerations” just below.

Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Loqtorzi if you have Medicare.

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

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

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

Type of insurance coverage: Loqtorzi is given as an IV infusion by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Loqtorzi 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 Loqtorzi 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 your 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.