In the United States, the Cost of Lenalidomide is a major concern for patients, as it can reach thousands of dollars per month depending on dosage and insurance coverage. This medication, widely used for treating multiple myeloma and other cancers, often requires patients to seek financial assistance or manufacturer discounts to manage the high expenses effectively.
In addition to its antitumor effect, lenalidomide acts as a reversible myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) agent in patients with low platelet counts. It is also a useful adjunctive therapy for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for MM.
Why Is Lenalidomide Pricing in the US So High
The FDA has approved two versions of lenalidomide to treat specific types of blood cancer in adults. One version is sold as Revlimid, a brand-name prescription medication. The other is available as generic lenalidomide, sold in the United States under specially created safety controls. In many cases, insurance will cover both of these drugs, although this depends on the type of health coverage and the specific plan. The brand name version of lenalidomide is more expensive than the generic version. This is because the brand-name drug has gone through years of research and testing to become a safe and effective treatment option. In contrast, the generic version of the same drug has not undergone such extensive testing. To help patients with the cost of their prescriptions, RxSaver is working to offer free coupons for lenalidomide, including discounts for generic lenalidomide. Patients must have commercial insurance to be eligible.