Piqray and cost

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

• your treatment plan
• your insurance coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• whether Piqray has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

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

Piqray is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.

Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Piqray long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following way.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Piqray. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

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

• A program called Patient Assistance Now Oncology is available for Piqray. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 1-800-282-7630 (prompt 3) 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
  • 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 Piqray.

How does Piqray’s cost compare with that of medications such as Faslodex (fulvestrant) or Ibrance (palbociclib)?

The price you’d pay for Piqray versus that of Faslodex or Ibrance depends on various factors.

For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Piqray is available as a tablet, Ibrance is available as a tablet and as a capsule, and Faslodex is available as a liquid solution for injection. Typically, tablets costs less than capsules or injections.

There are additional factors that can affect your prescription cost, including:

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

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

Is Piqray covered by Medicare?

It may be. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug. 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.

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

What is the cost of Piqray without insurance?

The price you’ll pay for Piqray if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance.

There are other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug. These include:

• the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
• whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
• your dosage
• the pharmacy you use

To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for Piqray.

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

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

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 Piqray requires prior authorization.

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.