Gazyva (obinutuzumab) is a brand-name intravenous (IV) infusion that’s prescribed for certain types of lymphoma and leukemia. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as whether Gazyva has a savings program.
As with all medications, the cost of Gazyva can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Gazyva
- whether Gazyva has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Gazyva will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Gazyva contains the active ingredient obinutuzumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to
12 years . When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you need financial support to pay for Gazyva, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called the Genentech Oncology Co-pay Assistance Program is available for Gazyva. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 866-422-2377 or visit the program website.
- The Genentech Patient Foundation is also available for Gazyva. For more information, call 866-422-2377 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.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Gazyva.
How much does Gazyva cost with insurance?
If you have insurance, your cost for Gazyva depends on factors such as:
- your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
- your dosage of the drug
- whether you apply and qualify for a savings program
To find out how much Gazyva will cost you with insurance, contact your insurance provider or doctor.
You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for several medications. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance benefits or copays.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
How does Gazyva’s cost compare with that of medications such as Venclexta (venetoclax) or Rituxan (rituximab)?
Like Gazyva, Rituxan and Venclexta may be prescribed for certain kinds of lymphoma or leukemia. The price you’d pay for Gazyva versus that of Venclexta or Rituxan depends on various factors.
For instance, the form of the drug may affect its price. Gazyva and Rituxan are available as intravenous (IV) infusions and Venclexta is available as an oral tablet. Typically, IV infusions cost more than oral tablets.
Also, Rituxan is available in the following biosimilar versions:
Biosimilar and generic forms of drugs typically cost less than the brand-name versions. Gazyva and Venclexta aren’t available in biosimilar or generic forms. So, your price for a biosimilar version of Rituxan may be less.
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 Gazyva compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Gazyva.
Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Gazyva. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Gazyva 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 Gazyva requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage: Gazyva is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Gazyva doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Gazyva doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital.
If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
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.