Epclusa (velpatasvir/sofosbuvir) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat hepatitis C virus in certain adults and children.
For more information about Epclusa’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Epclusa:
- Drug form: oral tablet or oral pellet
- Generic version: velpatasvir/sofosbuvir
Read on to learn about Epclusa treatment and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Epclusa can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Epclusa has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Epclusa will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Epclusa. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Epclusa 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 Epclusa requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Epclusa.
What is Epclusa’s cost per pill and per packet of oral pellets?
The cost of Epclusa per pill or per packet will depend on many factors, including your dose of the medication, the pharmacy you use, and your insurance coverage.
If you have questions about the cost of Epclusa per pill or per packet, talk with your pharmacist. They will be able to determine what your cost may be.
How does Epclusa’s price without insurance compare with its price with insurance coverage?
The cost of Epclusa without insurance will likely be higher than the cost of the drug with insurance coverage.
However, the best way to determine what your cost of Epclusa will be is by talking with your pharmacist. They can check to see how much Epclusa will cost you based on factors such as whether you have insurance coverage and the form of Epclusa that you take.
Epclusa is a brand-name drug. It also comes in a generic version called velpatasvir/sofosbuvir. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug 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 need financial support to pay for Epclusa, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called Epclusa Co-pay Coupon Program is available for Epclusa. This is a manufacturer coupon for Epclusa. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 855-769-7284 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:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Epclusa, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Epclusa. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Epclusa.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Epclusa, refer to this article.
- Information about hepatitis C. For more information about how this drug treats your condition, see this article about Epclusa for hepatitis C.
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.