Ninlaro and cost

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

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

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

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

How does Ninlaro’s cost compare with that of medications, such as Revlimid or Velcade?

The price you’d pay for Ninlaro versus that of lenalidomide (Revlimid) or bortezomib (Velcade) depends on various factors.

For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Ninlaro and Revlimid are available as oral capsules. Velcade is available as a subcutaneous or intravenous injection. (To treat MM, Ninlaro is meant to be taken with Revlimid.) Typically, injectable drugs cost more than oral capsules. And since Velcade is given by a healthcare professional, there may be additional costs for visits to your doctor’s office or clinic. (Velcade is given to treat MM and other blood cancers.)

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

• the length of your treatment
• 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 Ninlaro compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Is Ninlaro covered by Medicare?

Possibly. 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.

You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication. For more details, see the “Insurance considerations” section.

Talk with your doctor for more information about your cost for Ninlaro if you have Medicare.

Ninlaro 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 Ninlaro long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Ninlaro. 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.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Ninlaro may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

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

• The Takeda Oncology Here2Assist program is available for Ninlaro. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 844-817-6468 or visit the program website.
• The Takeda Oncology Co-Pay Assistance Program is also available for Ninlaro. For details, call 844-817-6468 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.

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

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Ninlaro. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Ninlaro 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 Ninlaro 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.