Whoa! My Lynparza cost right at $15,000 a month.

[herding cats]

That's $180k a year or right at $493 dollars a day. I'm currently insured and I have to pay about $500 a month but there's some program (only for the insured) I'm getting on to lower that by a lot.

Still, these numbers are nuts just to stay alive.

For those wondering, it's to treat ovarian cancer. I just got off my extended chemo program and this is one of my maintenance drugs. In another 30 days they'll be adding Avastin to this regime and tab.

In August there's a real chance I'll lose my insurance and I'm, understandably, stressed. I don't want to die, but what do you do if you can't afford treatment? I'm not saying that as hyperbole. Seriously, what do you do?

Am I wrong in thinking this sounds insane?

Editing to add: This isn't about me, but all of us out there in this country. My cancer was stage 4 so I'm happy to be here right now. Still I'm only in my 50's and sure didn't plan on dying after going through all that hell that was chemo. Which was why I posted.

Too many people just can't afford to pay for our meds. It's not right.

[Skittles]

1. it is EXTORTION

it is WRONG

[herding cats]

2. That was my first reaction, too!

Either I pay up, or I die. What the actual hell?!

[spooky3]

3. Sometimes big Pharma companies say in their ads that

If you need help affording your meds, they may be able to help. They won’t do it if you have insurance or Medicare. But if your coverage is ending would it be worth asking them?

[herding cats]

5. I Did ask, as the $500 a month before the Avastin is added in is too much.

They offered a program, which I'm availing myself of, but it only lowers the copay if you're insured. They did not have anything if I'm not insured and my doctor said they only have so many samples.

This is a 2 year treatment.

[spooky3]

10. Sorry to hear that. I hope there is change before August. Nt

[herding cats]

11. Thank you.

The thing is there's no way I'm the only one in this boat, right? I know I'm a young person for this cancer statistically speaking, and most are already on Medicare, but that's most definitely not an excuse to let women die.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

65. Can you get on disability and get Medicaid. I don't know if they would pay for expensive drugs.

It also takes a while to get it. You have to find an attorney or business that is successful at getting people approved - ask around.

[LiberalLoner]

45. I hope things work out, too. 🙏🙏🙏💙💙💙

[snot]

4. Sorry if these suggestions are futile,

but if you haven't already asked your doctor or the manufacturer about financial assistance, it's worth a try. Some manufacturers have assistance programs for those whose insurance won't cover the cost.

That said, yes, our health care system is insane.

[herding cats]

7. Appreciate the suggestion.

They only offer support with the copay, nothing if I'm not insured.

[snot]

20. Ugghh!

We shouldn't have to gofundme our health care.

[enigmania]

6. My RA treatment costs

five grand a month without insurance. One thousand per month with.

[Skittles]

8. WTF

THAT IS JUST SO WRONG

[herding cats]

9. How can you afford that?!

I'm so sorry you have to endure that.

[enigmania]

54. I get samples and hope for the best.

[Phoenix61]

12. It's so far beyond not right. It's inhumane.

How can a society call itself civilized and put a price tag on life. I’m so sorry.

[herding cats]

16. Inhumane sounds right.

My social worker said I can divorce my husband of 39 years and give our home (not fancy) and any retirement I have (not much) to him and I might be able to get on Medicaid.

That's cruelty right there. Toss away any assets and independence I own for a chance to get Medicaid. Which takes time and I might not make it that long without the treatments. How crazy is that?

Again, there's zero chance I'm alone here. We need to speak out more about these types of things.

[Mountain Mule]

22. I am so very sorry

My health insurance is Medicare/Medicaid. Those of us on Medicaid are terrified that Trump/Musk will destroy this program and then what will we do? Healthcare in the US is so inadequate. I too would die if I can no longer get my meds. This is truly awful and my heart goes out to you. I so hope that you can work this out.

[OldBaldy1701E]

46. We need to do something and stop with the 'speaking'.

Which, unfortunately, we won't do.

Maybe when people are literally dying in the streets as they slog to their slave labors we might start to understand the situation we are in.

I am not holding my breath.

[58Sunliner]

13. That's horrible. I am so sorry you are facing this. It isn't right, at all.

[LoisB]

14. That is obscene. I sure hope you don't lose your insurance. May The Universe protect you.

[brer cat]

15. Oh, herding cats, this is insane. And the idea

that they will help some for people with insurance but nothing for those with no insurance is deplorable! I didn't know you had ovarian cancer, and I am so sorry. My mother had it. and it's no picnic in the park. I hope you will find help very soon. Have you tried calling your representative?

[herding cats]

17. I hope you know you're always a light in a dark moment?

I mean that. I want you to know what a kind person you've always been to me, and so very many others here. You are what I imagine an angel to be.

As to my representative, he's a horrible trump fool.

[brer cat]

19. (blushing)

Thank you. I have an a$$hole republican rep as well. Maybe a Go Fund Me?

[herding cats]

25. I can't imagine doing a go fund me.

Most don't make anything close to what the person needs for real. That is unless it's some weird political crazy thing. Then they bank.

[calimary]

28. Could you appeal to a neighboring Rep for help?

Someone in an adjacent district, or in a district elsewhere in your state?

Or one of your Senators? Or the governor?

Our lovely representatives crave media attention, and if one of yours can step up to draw attention to your plight, that would HAVE TO help at least a little. Because they ALL want good publicity! They want media attention - for something positive happening in their districts or their state. It’d put them into a positive spotlight and may give their profile a boost.

Or if there’s a celebrity of any sort in your area, he or she might be looking for a new cause to get them in front of the cameras and earn them some very favorable publicity.

Seems to me it couldn’t hurt. Sometimes it’s a church that takes this on. Sometimes it’s a popular local person or sports figure (the one who does interesting or attention-getting stuff that gets people talking). Embracing your case would be GREAT P.R. for that individual so it would be a win-win thing all around.

Think about it!

[herding cats]

31. I live in Texas.

I might find a friendly rep not near me though!

Thank you for the idea. I admit living here I feel defeated more often than not lately. Which may be a symptom of the chemo. It messes with your thought processes.

[catrose]

56. Maybe Jasmine Crockett could draw attention to your plight and shame your rep into helping

[calimary]

59. Well, you just hold tight and keep good thoughts at the top of your mind.

The ONE THING I personally would want for you is that you stay in touch with good, trusted friends - and inputs - that will keep you going and help you keep the faith.

It’s always really nice when you feel like you’re not in this fight alone.

[littlemissmartypants]

18. ❤️

I'm sorry.

[herding cats]

23. I appreciate this!

Life can be hard and we need the empathy of each other to get by.

[question everything]

21. Can Mark Cuban system help?

https://www.costplusdrugs.com/

(just saw a post about him)

Very sorry about this. I hope that something will materialize

[herding cats]

24. I haven't thought of him until you mentioned it.

Sadly, it's not on there. For what it's worth a lot of specialty drugs like it aren't.

[usonian]

33. Just a thought. Ask Mark. He's a much better person than most entrepreneurs.

And a mention for president, FWIW.

Best of luck.

[LauraInLA]

52. I appreciate what he's doing, but I believe it's only for generic drugs that aren't "controlled" (needing a

signature, only available one month at a time, like ADHD meds).

[DFW]

26. I wonder if you have what my wife had?

She had a rare form of uterine/ovarian cancer that usually only strikes women that are elderly or slender. Here in Germany, it is called “the murderer,” because it is so silent, it is usually only discovered at stage 3 or stage 4. It killed one of her best friends over in Holland. At the time she was diagnosed, she was uninsured (don’t believe the “everything is free there” crowd—it isn’t). She had quit her job at age 60, and German medicare doesn’t kick in until age 65.

But, Germany has a COBRA-like insurance you can buy for about $600 a month, so I jumped in and bought her that. She was diagnosed, pretty much by accident, at age 64, and told the “bad news (what you have is always fatal)/good news (we have never seen it diagnosed this early)” situation. She underwent a 5 and a half hour operation and they took 84 (!!!) biopsies. After three days of trembling, she got the news: ALL negative. The surgeon said it was the first time in 30 years he had ever told a patient this, but he thought she might be OK with no further treatment—her choice, chemo or not. Since she had undergone chemo the first time she had cancer at age 49, and suffered greatly under it, she decided to risk no further treatment.

Luckily, the insurance I had been paying for did not try to deny her treatment, so her operation and month in the hospital cost us nothing further than what I had been paying. I almost have a guilty conscience, with her having to go through two battles with cancer. I have serious heart issues, but I figure that with me, the Grim Reaper will just show up one day and say, “it’s time, so kiss your ass goodbye.” Although—both my parents and all their siblings had cancer, too, so I could be next in line for that, too. My insurance is American, which is to say, practically none, and the only German insurer that would give me a quote wanted €30,000 (about $34,000) a year to insure me in Germany. That was 12 years ago, so who knows what they’d want today?

I hope you manage to find a solution to your medication dilemma. Here, for my wife, at least she knew what to do, being a social worker, herself. But we are basically living under two uncaring governments. Many years ago, a member of the German government was caught saying he was against restricting smoking, because smoking caused a lot of people to die early, and thus be less of a financial burden on the government with their expensive cancer treatments. How’s THAT for government candor?

[TheBlackAdder]

27. Check if there are mfgr coupons, rebates, discounts, etc. Eliquis, Cequa and a bunch of others have them.

I got turned down for an eye drug the other day, and called them. They had a hardship coupon, which made the total cost $30 for a 6-week treatment. The kicker, they shipped it overnight Saturday priority which must have cost $10-15 right there. The coupon they applied was $2100. I had similar for Eliquis and Cequa.

I did a quick search ans there seems to be several discount coupons and programs for it.

[sheshe2]

29. I am sorry to hear what you are having to go through to stay alive.

You are right, it is about all of us and our futures. Our healthcare system sucks and under trump it is going to sink much further and rapidly.

💙 to you, herding cats.

[DENVERPOPS]

30. Yea

with a really great Rx Insurance, my wife's cancer pill was still $120.00 a pill, once a day. Twenty one days on, seven days off.

$2,520 a Month for FIVE YEARS...............................

[buzzycrumbhunger]

32. Pharmacy tech here...

Tons of drugs like this—or worse. Can’t remember which one, but there’s one we’ve dispensed that’s a cool $80,000/mo…

Currently swamped with an eye drop for blepharitis caused by fucking eye mites that has a cash price of just under $2400 for a 10 mL bottle (6-wk treatment), the only drug of its kind. For those who can’t afford the price (insurance rarely pays the full cost of this drug), there’s a grant program based on income so if you make under the threshold, your copay will be $0, but guess who sponsors this grand offer… THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DRUG ITSELF!

Not an unusual situation, especially with specialty/limited distribution drugs, but we’re processing hundreds and hundreds of this Rx, and you know damned well that the price is not only so high because it’s the only drug for this condition, but because they’re turning around and writing off the full price as a fucking tax write-off in addition to the profits made from people stuck paying the ridiculous copay.

We should have an army of Luigis out there fixing this shit. The whole system is corrupt.

[Bayard]

36. The whole system is corrupt.

Indeed, it is. People don't pay these exorbitant prices in other countries because they're governments have some sense, and don't let pharma companies get by with it. Because they can't rob those citizens, Americans pay the costs of all the drug research.

[erronis]

55. Agree mainly. But the prices charged are more based on profits/marketing/etc. than costs of research.

Once a pharma has established a lock on a drug via patents and never-ending minor reformulations, the prices charged do not reflect the initial research and development costs. And, of course, much of drug research was funded by you - the US taxpayer.

[virgdem]

38. I just took that eye drop (Xdemvy)

The price was eye popping to say the least, but the drops are very effective. Thank goodness I have Tricare for Life, so the cost was negligible.

[Figarosmom]

34. Sounds like it would be cheaper

Last edited Sun May 4, 2025, 01:19 AM - Edit history (1)

To move to a different country.

[purrmaid]

39. Hi from Ukraine

I was diagnosed with breast cancer after I started my application for residency in Ukraine. Since I'd rather die of cancer in UKR than of shame in the USA, I didn't delay my move.

I [was] on Medicare, and all the scans & biopsy were covered. I would have benefited financially from dealing with it in the States. Since every awful thing I've feared with this maladministration has occurred, I figured partway thru the treatment I would suddenly have to pay for it on my own. Worse, pay back the treatment already received. (oh yes, the Govt of Treason will do that.)

Tomorrow I see a Ukrainian oncologist. I will go where I need (Europe-Ukraine) for treatment. It will be better & more affordable than the US system.

[[thank you Dr Katie for insisting I get a mammogram before I moved, you saved my life!]]

[eppur_se_muova]

35. The chemical structure of Olaparib/Lynparza isn't that complicated.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaparib

I've used eyedrops that had more complicated chemicals in them. Don't see how that high cost can be justified, except "what the market will bear".

It doesn't even have a single chiral center. Though Wikipedia doesn't include a synthesis, it can't be that complicated. There are two amide linkages and a hydrazone, a type of compound which pretty well forms on mixing. About one-third of that molecule comes from chemicals fairly cheaply available. It looks like one carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction might require a bit of working out, but the rest is pretty straightforward.


By Fvasconcellos (talk · contribs) - Own work, after LYNPARZA Prescribing Information, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38208672

[IbogaProject]

50. Not sure that is simple

But $500 a day is insane our society is broken. Relentless propaganda and the weakening of education in the early twentith century have destroyed civil discourse.

[eppur_se_muova]

57. To an organic chemist, it's pretty simple. No chiral centers. No fused rings. Two amide bonds. A hydrazone.

Much more complicated molecules can be, and are, made routinely, and marketed.

[IbogaProject]

60. Ok so price gouging

Greed is killing our society.

[NNadir]

37. That's kind of weird, since it's a small molecule drug. However, I didn't know there was an effective treatment...

...for BRCA mutant cancer. When my sister-in-law got cancer - she's a ten year survivor after a lumpectomy - there wasn't a treatment for BRCA; happily she had HER2 positive. That was the last time I looked into breast cancer in the literature, so I'm not up to date.

In any case, the patent is expiring. There should be a generic soon. Under Hatch-Waxman it will still be pricey for a year, and cheap thereafter.

[pandr32]

40. I've got you beat with Nucala injections.

It is insane.

[moonscape]

41. It costs 20k/month for my

cancer therapy + injection to keep me from functional blindness per month. It’s yes, insane.

I’m on Medicare with a supplement so like you pay my premiums but how long will they allow Medicare to pay for these treatments to keep the old alive? I wouldn’t actually have a problem with that if we were living in a society where that $4 would go towards a better life for the young, the planet, etc - but to boost Musk’s et al bottom line? Now that’s the vulgar part.

If you’re losing your insurance due to job loss, can you get Cobra? Search out grants? Medicaid? (As if these things will be around …)

I’m so very sorry for the stress

[Hekate]

42. 💔 It's terrifying, is what it is. Heartfelt hugs, hopes, wishes for your & our collective future ❤️

I wish I had more to offer

[Cha]

43. Ohh Cat, It's So Heartbreaking

I Hope by some Un foreseen Miracle you get the Help you need. I'm sorry that I don't know anything about the system. It just sounds so horrible and the Astronomical expense of Life saving Meds is Obscene ... But Like you wrote.. you can't be the only one. There should be a Support group to exchange vital information. Like here on DU.

Every Time I see your Name I think of when you helped me so much with your Compassion and Heartfelt words when my Sister Passed on Dec 26, 2019. I was in Shock for a long time and you helped a lot. I'll never forget it or you.

[TommyT139]

44. Another option not mentioned above

I did a quick search, and Lynparza is a drug sold by Canadian pharmacies to US patients. Still horrendously expensive, but less than one-third the price.
https://pharmagiant.com/product/lynparza/ (Just one example; do a search for other companies' prices.)

It is also listed on the Medicaid formulary for Massachusetts, which implemented the Medicaid expansion (unlike Texas, if I understand correctly?).

On this page, do a find word search:
https://mhdl.pharmacy.services.conduent.com/MHDL/pubtheradetail.do?id=1207&drugId=4783
That shows the diagnostic requirements for pre-authorization, just FYI.

However, the fact that you have already started the drug, and it is time-limited (2 years?), could give you the best argument to keep getting it. I didn't look at the package insert -- and hate to raise the possibility -- but if cessation of the drug comes with any negative "rebound," that is yet more in your favor, especially in any discussions with AstraZeneca.

If you haven't already, get to know the medical social worker on your oncology team. They may also be called case manager, or navigator, something like that, depending on exact role. Their job is to help you with things like this, including strategizing for the possibility of losing your coverage. Get in touch with them sooner rather than later.

Advice over for now; here beginneth a brief rant.
It is maddening, the disparities even between states here in the US. In Mass., there is no minimum time for residency to get on MassHealth (Medicaid), if one qualifies. I don't know if the income cutoffs are higher than TX, although I bet they are.

The coupons-only-for-privately-insured-patients is an outcome of the system that Joe and Kamala were trying to change: the prohibition of the govt negotiating as the biggest "customer" of pharmaceutical companies. For all the billions that Doge claimed to want to save, lots of $ could have been saved by changing this. Except it would have decreased profits of Big Pharma...despite so much of the research being publicly funded. (Well, I guess that last part won't be a problem any more.) The drugs on their 15/year lists were among the most expensive, needed by the most Americans.

Anyway, I hope these ideas give you a bit of hope, and possibly some new tactics. Sorry you need to come here for advice on this, but glad you did, and that DU comes through as best we can.

[surfered]

47. Thank you for raising the issue and good luck to you ❤️

[TBF]

48. The prices are all a scam -

I learned that when I had an 8-day hospitalization out of the blue in my late 40's. Hospital bill was over $100K. In the end I paid less than $5K out of pocket, insurance company paid around $60K. The rest was "written off". It is all fake.

We need single payer insurance NOW. Whether it's medicare for all, or some other model.

[Meowmee]

49. So sorry 🤗🤗🤗 😢

It is insane and criminal that this can even happen. These people are crooks and criminals of the worst kind- who exploit sick people who have no choice. There should be controls on all hc costs etc.

I hope you find a way to get it paid for if you lose your insurance. Why are you losing your insurance? Definitely look into the whole medicaid route too.

I looked it up and something at the link talks about financial aid foundations, I don't know if this could help you. I am sure you probably read this already but I will link these just in case they can help you. I think the second or first link specifically has info on help for non insured patients from Astra Zeneca:

Who can apply?
People without health insurance
Medicare Part D and/or B recipients
Those who have recently experienced a financial crisis
Residents of the United States
Eligibility rules apply, please call an AZ&Me representative for more information at 1-800-AZandMe (1-800-292-6363).

https://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/can-i-get-cancer-treatment-with-no-insurance/

https://www.myaccess360.com/patient/lynparza-olaparib/patient-affordability.html

https://www.lynparzahcp.com/patient-support/uninsured.html

In a much more minor story, I have been on Tymlos for the past 2 years or so after a spinal compression fracture. At first the copay was $25. I still got the company copay assistance and it was free. I knew that would not last because I have been through this before.

Then about 3 months later, the ins tells me the new copay is now $787! That is just the copay, for a one month pen. It is injected daily. I still have the copay assistance and it is free.

But I live in fear one day they are going to bill me that copay or thousands more etc. One month they messed up the billing and I was billed that copay- I had to call several times to get it straightened out. This is simply an injection pen for small dose abaloparatide- synthetic parathyroid hormone- which in small doses stimulates bone growth for those with osteoporosis. There is no reason for these prices except greed and criminality. It has to stop.

I have had severe hives to the point I had to get epi pens now and have stopped tymlos for now to see if it is involved plus I need a break as it was already causing a lot of other symptoms which were getting harder to tolerate.

[Nanjeanne]

51. I am so sorry you are going through this but I can certainly empathize. My husband has an incurable but

"manageable" blood cancer. It basically means that he will go on a drug or therapy, get remission for a certain number of months (or years) and then relapse. He's been living with this for 11 years with many relapses. At one time, after his stem cell transplant in 2015, he was on a maintenance drug for 4 years. Because the maintenance drug was in pill form - at home - it's not covered by Medicare but by the "Medicare" Drug plan (I use quotes because this is simply called medicare drug plan - but all drug plans are run by private insurance). His copay each month (after insurance paid their part) started at $600/month and then every year after it went up - so by the time he relapsed after 4 years and went on a different treatment - his copay was $960/month! No way could we afford that. But because he was on Medicare (not private insurance) he wasn't eligible for discounted help from the pharmaceutical company. I know - crazy but because Medicare is a federal program - even though the drug plan was private - it's only offered to Medicare participants so considered federal. Our only solution - and perhaps something you can consider if you are in the same boat - was to get a grant from various patient advocacy groups. When he started this route - we would get a $10,000 grant which covered the copays for one year. By the time we finished with this drug - we were getting an $11,000 grant and that covered less than a year and we were forced to go find another grant if we could from another organization.

It's a horrible system and something no person facing serious illness should have to navigate. Usually a cancer hospital will have a social worker or pharmaceutical advocate that can help you. Reach out to your team and also search for patient copay grants for your particular illness and see which organizations might be able to help you. If you are not on Medicare - you can try reaching out to the pharmaceutical company for their discount help.

Some organizations we received copay help from were:
Lymphoma and Leukemia Society - probably only works for blood cancers
Patient Advocate Foundation
Healthwell Foundation
And check with American Cancer Society

I wish you well.

[Linda ladeewolf]

53. I think this is why

I rarely go to a doctor. Fear of a diagnosis and an expensive prescription. My previous doctor wants to put me on statins because my cholesterol is a bit high. I don’t want o be put on something that might or might not cost a lot of money in the future. My late mother and father spent quite a bit on medication every month. I’m due for a check up in a couple of months and I don’t want to go.

[wolfie001]

61. I hope Medicare is not too distant in the future for you

Regular Medicare and a Medicare supplement is about $300/mo. in my state. The drugs are covered 100% depending on the meds. Even the super expensive will have a big price discount. I went 13 months on ACA and avoided the doctor because it was mainly out-of-pocket until I spent $9500. Then, 80/20. But the drugs were quite reasonable. I think $6 for Lisinopril and the Metformin was $0. Best of luck.

[DET]

58. Wouldn't you be eligible for the ACA?

If you lost your current insurance? That sounds like a qualifying event. It might not be cheap (depending on what subsidy you might be eligible for, deductible, and copays), but at least you’d have coverage for the drugs. I must be missing something. So sorry you’re going through this.

[PatrickforB]

62. And yet, instead of asking what drove Luigi to his act of violence against the United Health Care CEO,

the DOJ is seeking the death penalty.

I wonder how many thousands and thousands of Americans have died because we are the only one of 33 advanced industrial nations WITHOUT universal public healthcare.

We lost our moral compass a long time ago here in this country, truth be told.

[Brainfodder]

63. So beyond sick of medicine rip offs, don't citizens help with this R&D often?

[Solly Mack]

64. Damn