HIV Treatment
Forty years ago, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were unheard of in the United States. The first cases of what was then a mysterious illness were diagnosed in the 1980s, but effective treatments took several more decades.
Many of the highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) available today for people with HIV are effective at slowing the progression of the disease caused by HIV infection. Unfortunately, a cure still does not exist. Instead, people rely on treatments to help stop the spread of HIV. All treatments come with a cost — some more than others. Take a look at the average costs of treatment and ways you might be able to save money.
Getting Started
First, do your research if you’re looking for treatment options for HIV infection. Prescription medicines vary in price and availability. Below, you can find a list of the most common HIV medications, as well as an average price for the medicine’s generic and brand name versions. Prices for medicines can change quickly. A medicine may be priced differently based on your location, so do your own research before heading to the store. Also, your level of insurance coverage almost always affects prices.
Prescription Drug Costs
Several classes of drugs are used to treat HIV/AIDS. Some therapies combine multiple drugs into a single tablet. Each medication works to block and slow HIV’s progression.
These medication prices are an average of estimated costs for both brand name and generic medications. These costs do not take into account any expense covered by health insurance or prescription drug insurance. These prices are an average price taken from information on several websites, including DrugPriceInfo.com, Costco, and GoodRx.
Contact your local pharmacy to determine the exact price. You may also consider getting in touch with the drug manufacturer, many of which have programs to help offset the costs of these lifesaving medications.
| Drug Name (Brand Name) | Cost of Brand Name | Cost of Generic | Number of tablets | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etravirine (Intelence) | $1,028-$1,112 | No generic available. | 60 | 200 mg |
| Efavirenz (Sustiva) | $863-$965 | No generic available. | 90 | 200 mg |
| Nevirapine (Viramune) | $770-$852 | $15-$267 | 60 | 200 mg |
| Lamivudine/Zidovudine (Combivir) | $922-$994 | $344-$749* | 60 | 150 mg/300 mg |
| Emtricitabine and tenofovir (Truvada) | $1,309-$1,411 | No generic available. | 30 | 200 mg/300 mg |
| Abacavir (Ziagen) | $600-$619 | $234-$438 | 60 | 300 mg |
| Fosamprenavir (Lexiva) | $1,021-$1,113 | No generic available. | 60 | 700 mg |
| Ritonavir (Norvir) | $530-$586 (Available as a capsule and tablet.) | No generic available. | 30 | 100 mg |
| Darunavir (Prezista) | $1,279-$1,383* | No generic available. | 30 | 800 mg |
| Atazanavir (Reyataz) | $1,288-$1,393* | No generic available. | 30 | 300 mg |
| Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) | $3,172-$3,434 | No generic available. | 1 kit | 90 mg (60 vials) |
| Maraviroc (Selzentry) | $2,458-$2,660 | No generic available. | 120 | 300 mg |
| Raltegravir (Isentress) | $1,224-$1,325* | No generic available. | 60 | 400 mg |
| Abacavir, dolutegravir, and lamivudine (Triumeq) | $2,237-$2,422 | No generic available. | 30 | 600 mg/50 mg/300 mg |
Factors Affecting Price
The prices listed above are averages. Some medications may be less than the price listed, others may be more.
Several factors can change the cost of a medicine. These factors include:
- pharmacy discounts
- prescription insurance
- generic versions of medications
- prescription assistance programs
- location
Pharmacy Discounts
Some pharmacies and wholesale buyer stores offer loyalty discount programs for customers. These discounts are provided by the pharmacy, not the pharmaceutical company. Shop pharmacy prices and discount programs to find one that best suits your needs.
Prescription Insurance
If you have insurance, your cost may be lower than these averages. People without insurance may have to pay cash price for the medicine. Cash prices are often higher.
Generic Drugs
Many of the medications used to treat HIV are new. That means medical companies still maintain the rights to the medicine’s patent and a generic option will not be available. Generic medications are often less expensive than brand names. For that reason, you may want to seek out financial aid from a patient assistance program to cover the cost of the medication.
Prescription Assistance Programs
A variety of prescription assistance programs (PAPs) are available to people with an HIV infection. These programs give patients discounts or funds to cover the cost of their HIV treatment. Each PAP maintains its own requirements. You can apply for several PAPs, or you can find one that is specific to your medicine. Your out-of-pocket cost for HIV medicine and treatments may be dramatically reduced if you’re accepted to the program. Many programs are operated by the drug manufacturer. Contact the maker of the drug you’re interested in if you’re interested in a PAP.
Location
Medication costs can also vary by location. One common reason for this is the use of Medicare funds in the region you live in.
Considerations
You may be able to save a significant amount of money if you understand how these drugs are priced and the resources that are available to help you manage the often very high prices associated with the lifelong therapies.
Some insurance companies do not cover newer HIV treatments. You will have to pay the price of the drug out of pocket if your doctor prescribes one of the medicines not covered by insurance. In that case, finding the best price for your medicine may be very important.
Beyond Cost
Learning the costs of HIV treatment can be disheartening at first, especially for those who are newly diagnosed. Obtaining the treatment you need is certainly achievable despite the high costs. Investigate all of your options beforehand. Don’t be afraid to tell your doctor about what you can and can’t afford — they may be able to help you determine ways to help you save money.
