how much does "epirubicin" cost and how can I get 12 vials of 50 mL?

It turns out this is very difficult to get, and I can't even find out how much it would cost.

Can you even buy it ?
You'd think this would only be available in a clinic due to how it is administered. Possibly using a port-a cath.

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It is a Rx only drug here in the US and many other countries. If just trying to get an idea of what it would cost outside of being covered by health insurance your best chance might be explaining the situation to a pharmacist. They might be able to look up list prices for you. But you might need to talk with a pharmacist associated with an oncology clinic, not one at your local drug store.

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JoeH
It is a Rx only drug here in the US and many other countries. If just trying to get an idea of what it would cost outside of being covered by health insurance your best chance might be explaining the situation to a pharmacist. They might be able to look up list prices for you. But you might need to talk with a pharmacist associated with an oncology clinic, not one at your local drug store.

that's what I pretty much what I figured out so far. it seems impossible to get pricing information on this drug. For example, my Insurance does not cover it. This if for MIL, but I used my insurance to get an idea of the cost. not covered. Then I asked sister back home to call her friends, same thing: only at the oncology clinic or hospital, limited quantity, hard to get, etc. Now I am emailing cousins (MD) in France. All I am asking at this point is how much it would cost WITHOUT insurance. Seems crazy that you can't even get this kind of information.

But I guess I know the answer: An Arm, a Leg, a Kidney, an Eye, and Half of the Liver. Bone Marrow for Shipping and Handling.

Here's what goodrx.com says about it:

[m.goodrx.com]

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Dennis S
Here's what goodrx.com says about it:

[m.goodrx.com]

that's the first place I looked. the BOLD stuff says it all.

Call your local hospital pharmacy. Explain your MIL's situation and ask what a cash buyer must pay.

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Speedy
Call your local hospital pharmacy. Explain your MIL's situation and ask what a cash buyer must pay.

I'd suggest the same. pharmacists love to talk, they're sort of underappreciated in the medical world.

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Hurts like a bastid...

I work for a major Rx benefits provider, and while this type of drug is normally covered under medical, the branded version of epirubicin in one strength is on our 2017 Medicare PDP formulary. Looks like our lowest-cost plan in my area for 2017 has brand Ellence in the 200mg/100ml version running full cost in the neighborhood of $225 per vial at negotiated rates. Of course the actual infusion procedure itself would require separate costs, but this might give you a really rough idea.

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TL
I work for a major Rx benefits provider, and while this type of drug is normally covered under medical, the branded version of epirubicin in one strength is on our 2017 Medicare PDP formulary. Looks like our lowest-cost plan in my area for 2017 has brand Ellence in the 200mg/100ml version running full cost in the neighborhood of $225 per vial at negotiated rates. Of course the actual infusion procedure itself would require separate costs, but this might give you a really rough idea.

Thank you. That is very helpful information.

I don't really know what all that means or if it's the help you're looking for, but this is once again proof that this place (the community, that is) is awesome!!!

Thanks again folks.

One cousin in France said this is only in hospitals, 23 EURO per dose.

The other cousin said she saw this in pill form several years ago, 123 Euro per pill.

Both said they cannot help us get the medicine. They are not oncologists.

Mother in law got a call from the local hospital in her county, they expect the medicine in Thursday

My sister reminded me that one guy I know (and I helped a few times) is oncologist in a larger city, different county, so I am going to call him tonight. I forgot about him. This is to prepare a backup in case the medicine does not arrive as promised.

Several issues here. As this is a drug administered in the hospital or oncologist office, it is hard to estimate cost. Particularly in the US, administering chemotherapy is a big source of income for private oncologists and the cost is really inflated.

As a highly toxic substance, no one is going to sell this to a private person.

There has been a shortage of cytotoxic infusion drugs recently. They are really hard to make and a lot of them are generic, so the cost may not justify the expense/effort in the minds of manufacturers. Epirubicin still has a branded version in the US, so the shortages are probably less likely here, but that is not going to help for overseas unless the originators of the compound sells it there as well as a brand.

Finally, there are other drugs in the same class that may be interchangeable, she should discuss with her healthcare team if she cannot get it.

Great resources here.... our best to your Mother In Law, and hopes for remission !

was this really a whole thread without any comment regarding how dangerous this is, and how you shouldn't do this or that? maybe it's the fact that we're 11 years old now.

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Hurts like a bastid...

....not.....bloody.......likely...........???

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NewtonMP2100
....not.....bloody.......likely...........???

actually there was a nice fellow, volcs0 IIRC or something like that. He hasn't posted in years.