FDA-approved generic Arimidex is now available in the U.S.

Options
otter
otter Member Posts: 6,099
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

This forum is pretty quiet, so I thought I'd add something that's being discussed elsewhere on the boards.

It might help some of you who are having trouble with insurance coverage of your prescription meds to know this:  Several generic versions of Arimidex were given final approval by the FDA this week, and many of them are already on the market (in retail pharmacies).  Some of us have been told that our current Arimidex prescriptions will be filled with the generic form the next time we come in for a refill (if our doctors allow it, of course).  Others have already received confirmation from their pharmacies that the generic version is in stock and is being held for them.

Here are some articles about this new situation:

http://www.pharmqd.com/pharmacy-news/teva-introduces-anastrozole-tablets

http://www.chaindrugreview.com article

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/NewsEvents/UCM130961 (There are additional pharmaceutical companies that have received approval but are not listed on the FDA web page yet -- including Mylan and Breckenridge.)

This is very good news (except for Astra-Zeneca, of course).  I don't know what the cost of the generic version will be.  My pharmacist tried to look it up yesterday but it wasn't in her computer yet.  She said the supplier from whom her pharmacy chain buys its drugs would be shipping the generic Arimidex (called "anastrozole", same as the main ingredient) this Friday.  Hers would be coming from Breckenridge Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Just FYI.

otter

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited July 2010
    Medigal added a thread on Generic Arimidex Costs in the Hormonal Therapy forum. Just adding a link here as it may be useful to those of you struggling with the cost of Arimidex.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited August 2010

    I recently had my Arimidex prescription refilled by mail through Medco. They substituted the generic and the charge was $0.  That's right, no charge for a month's worth of the generic!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GloriaH
    GloriaH Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2010

    If you are on Medicare, you will not be able to buy Generic Anastrozole (the generic version of Arimidex) for 2011 through your Part D PDP.  Medicare has not put it on their approved list. You will need to buy Brand Name Arimidex.

     I have spent 2 days trying to find out why this is, and have now submitted my question to the "Advanced Resolution Center" and am supposed to get a reply within two days.

    For 2010, I paid less than $30 for 90 days for the generic Arimidex. I was assuming that would continue in 2011.

    I'll let everyone know what I find out, and if it is possible to add it to the approved list.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lauri
    lauri Member Posts: 267
    edited November 2010

    Thanks, Gloria -- now I know why i can't pull anastrazole up on the Medicare.gov site.

    Using generics for Arimidex and Fosamax (at Costco prices) I won't even get through the deductible for 2011, but using brand names I'll be into the donut hole by midyear.  Hope they figure it out soon -- otherwise I'll just buy out-of-pocket at Costco.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ibabie
    ibabie Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2010

    Can anyone help with advise on affording Arimidex or it's generic? I will be starting a new job and the insurance coverage is awful! It is a limited benefits plan and the limits for prescriptions is only $500.00! Which we all know is ridiculous for those of us on Arimidex.

    So I need some advise on where to go to get help to afford this drug that I will now have to take for the next 5 yrs! I cannot afford to pay out of pocket for this as I am single and trying to make ends meet while holding down a couple of part-time jobs. 

    I'm also very nervous about the yearly limit of $10,000.00 for all other medical charges, inpatient, preventive, etc... What happens if, God forbid they find cancer again down the road? The health care in this country borders on abusive!

    Any ideas? Thanks ahead of time!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2010

    Talk to American Cancer Society. They have all sorts of info on how to get stuff paid. Some drug companies will help pay for your drugs in you can't.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GloriaH
    GloriaH Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2010

    AstraZeneca, who makes Arimidex, claims they will give support if you can't afford it.  I don't know what their limits are, however. 

    Does your new plan give you a good price on the generic version?  It is a little cheaper than Arimidex.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GloriaH
    GloriaH Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2013

    Several Breast Cancer support organizations, including Network of Strength, are working on trying to help those of us on Medicare figure out how to get Anastrolozole, the generic version of Arimidex.  Some plans did put it on their formulary, but since it is not on the Medicare search engine, we don't know which plans.  My plan did put it on, but that plan was cancelled because they said the new Health Care Reform only allows each company to have two or three plans.

     Keep checking back.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hound
    hound Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2010

    Thanks for the information. I am Medicare and cannot get a straight answer from anyone why the Generic is no longer available. Without the Generic being available I will fall into the "donut hold within 6 months and then the price goes way up for Arimidex.  Who can we contact and fight this. It is crazy that there is a generic available out there and we cannot buy it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hound
    hound Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2010

    All who are having a problem getting the generic for ARIMIDEX should write and contact AVOCACY ALLIANCE at komenadvocacy.org.  Someone has to fight for our right to get the generic drug.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lauri
    lauri Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2010

    One word - COSTCO.  Three months of generic anastrozole was less than $75. I figure Medicare will get its act together sometime in 2011, but in the meantime I can do cash-pay. Full price for Costco generic is less than the co-pay for brand Arimidex was on my old insurance.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited January 2011

    OK I just called my BC&BS plan and initially they said for 3 months:

    Mail order = $102.03
    Specialty pharmacy = $102.03
    Local Walgreens = $20.26

    Gal then checked with the supervisor and said something was wrong and I should ignore that but they can't give me an answer yet. Will call back. I have a feeling it might be something like $20.26 at local Walgreens for 1 month.

    I hate insurance. Good think I don't have to take this tomorrow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories