Generic Copaxone Approved by the FDA

[Imagine]

Some are already doing just that

companies don't want us to switch back to the 20mg in the generic form. Can they do that?

I'm pretty sure that's why some insurance companies are already only paying for the 20 mg- in anticipation of a generic version. What I find very disturbing is that the generics are not going to be exactly what Copaxone is. All generic DMD s cannot even be called "DMD" (I can't remember what they are going to be called, but you can look it up). The make up of these drugs is so complex, the generic form will not be [B]exactly like Copaxone, and the rest of the disease modifying drugs. We're talking about peoples' brains/spinal cords/eyes... [I]the central nervous system. It's taken a long time for MS to have treatment that slows the progression of the disease- if not halting it altogether. I, personally, am not content to change anything in a drug that is working.

Yes, the cost of the drug is extremely high. The cost to make/produce the drug is also astronomical. I stated in another post, that I was told by 2 shared solution nurses that if insurance companies will only pay for 20 mg Copaxone- Teva will still provide the 45mg, with the cost being based on income. I believe the reason there was initially a 7 day regimen was b/c after x amount of years, the patent runs out which makes way for a generic type drug. With a 3 day regimen, the patent starts at the beginning again, and we have at least another 15 years to use a pure form of Copaxone.

I was given the 20 mg dose at no cost prior to having insurance. I now have Humana medicare advantage, and no copay.

I would like feedback/opinions regarding the generic drugs.
[COLOR=Shalom, Suzanne][/COLOR]

[Bluebird44]

Generic Copaxone-3rd time in 1 year I have had to change the prescription

When I started Copaxone last August (2014) I was put on the 40mg 3 times a week with zero co-pay. This March I changed jobs but kept the same insurance co., I was denied the 40mg dose and had to change to the 20mg dose with a co-pay. I just called to order my monthly C and was told I needed to change to generic C or get a new prescription from my doctor validating why I could not take the generic version. I will still have a co-pay. I asked what the price of generic was-the answer: $5000.00/mo. It has been discouraging, my preference would be an injection 3x/wk, but apparently that is not factored in by the insurance company. On the positive I am thankful to have a small co-pay compared to the cost of the medicine.

[mom 2 4 cats]

I'm on 40 mg but my Dr told me last time I was in that the 20 mg was out in the generic and if I would mind if I switched. I told him I didn't. Accredo hasn't mentioned it to me yet but when the time comes I will make the change.

I have noticed that last November when I began taking Copaxone my insurance was supposedly paying $7,000 a month for it but my last EOB says they are now paying $5,000 something. A last minute bargain before the generic begins to rule the roost?

[cthomp2]

Generic Copaxone / Glatopa Phamacy Fun :-)

Called to reorder Copaxone today (20mg user for 7 years) and the system kept freezing up (Accredo-Express Scripts) Accredo was advised to refill all 20mg scripts with Glatopa, however, Express-scripts insurance says those with active Copaxone prescriptions will continue until the presecrition runs out.
Evidently the computer didn't know what to do with the conflicting orders.
A supervisor finally approved the delivery of this month's shipment of Copaxone... I can see this will be a fun year.
Waiting to hear from others if the Glatopa has any problems healthwise or financial before deciding if I'll switch to 40mG Copaxone next year or move on to Glatopa.

[Portia]

I'll cross my fingers for you, Jim.

[jstinnett]

It didn't take Kaiser San Francisco long to switch me to Glatopa. As soon as the product was available the pharmacy notified me that I would be changed to the generic.

I have my first 30 shots in the fridge right now. I just can't wait to stick myself with it when my Copaxone runs out this coming monday.

I am hoping, just hoping the site reactions will be less painful than Copaxone. Probably too much to ask for, but wouldn't it be nice?

[502E79]

General info:

My insurance (part D as of March this year) is now with CVS. They called 2 days ago and informed me that I will be switched automatically to the generic "C" on next order (July/August) unless my neuro supplies a script specific to "C".... Awaiting my neuro to comment... Should I really be concerned?

Jer

Ps. I'm 8 years with the 20 mg from Teva

[DisneyCaptive]

Wednesday July 1st I called my specialty pharmacy to refill my Copaxone script. The person I spoke to raised the question of going with the generic. I didn't let that discussion go far because I pointed out that I am on the 40 mg for which there was no generic. That pretty much ended the conversation about the generic.

I guess that answers my question of whether or not the generic is available. There was no mention of cost. There was also no mention of switching back to 20 mg but I wouldn't have expected that question from the person in the specialty pharmacy anyway.

[jstinnett]

It all about the money, not us

Reuters article on business angle...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...0NA0KU20150419

Marco --

Thanks for sharing.

My understanding is that the legal battle has already occurred and Teva won. My MS Specialist at KU Med Center talked about that in March, when I went for my appointment.

But, I must not be understanding the whole picture. If there already has been a legal battle, I'm not sure how the FDA approval to market, that occurred today, fits in. Because I would have assumed that approval would have happened in the past, prior to the law suit.

Can you explain to this numbskull how that all fits together? Or, is there a good link you could point me to?

Thanks.

[Marco]

companies don't want us to switch back to the 20mg in the generic form. Can they do that?

There is no 40mg generic version so only the brand name would be available. The 40mg version has patent protection for an additional 15 years so obviously that is where Teva wants all of their patients. That's why Teva is pushing and pulling as many patients as possible to the newer dosing model.

Insurance companies use their formularies to steer patients and doctors into treatment regimes. Many patients are currently given the option to pay more for a brand drug or less for a generic version. At minimum, the insurance company would probably place the generic Copaxone into a less expensive category for the patient. In 2013, some insurance companies outright dropped Betaseron, but kept the cheaper Extavia medication on their formularies. Extavia is identical to Betaseron and simply branded differently. I'm not sure if a company could drop the name brand and offer only the generic version.

I believe Teva's current Copaxone profit margin is in the 80-90% range so there's plenty of room to undercut their price. We have no idea how much a generic Copaxone version would cost, but if there's substantial savings the insurance companies will likely try to steer patients to that version.


So Teva wants to drag patients to the 40 mg dose and insurance companies may want to push patients to the 20 mg generic dose.

[its2much]

Let's hope our insurance

companies don't want us to switch back to the 20mg in the generic form. Can they do that?

[Mamabug]

Thanks. I sure want to follow this. Doesn't really affect me. I get Copaxone 40 free. Shared Solutions pays my $30 co-pay. But, I just think it's horrible, the amount of money that Teva makes off of my insurance company.

[S 31]

Another related article on Copaxone from Israel news

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-t...ved-1001029146

[Mamabug]

OK, thanks Marco.

[its2much]

How many lawsuits

have there been? The Supreme Court heard a challenge to their patent well over a year ago. Gee, I wonder how much legal costs add to the cost of a drug!