money

Aug 20, 2003

How much does the medication cost? About how much a year? Thank you.

Response from Dr. Pierone

I checked an online discount pharmacy (drugstore.com) for retail costs of HIV medications to see what the retail cost would be for a variety of regimens. Again, this is retail, HMO's, insurance companies, governmental agencies have some ability to get lower prices.

Some popular combinations:

Combivir $580 for 60 tabs for 30 days Sustiva $393 for 30 capsules for 30 days

So Combivir & Sustiva is $973 per month X 12 months = $11,676 for a year of therapy

Viramune is $321 for 60 tabs for 30 days

So Combivir & Viramune is $901 per month X 12 = $10,812 for a year of therapy.

Kaletra is $647 for 180 (30 day supply)

So Combivir & Kaletra is $1227 per month X 12 = $14,724 for a year of therapy.

Viread is $460 for 30 (30 day supply) Epivir if $270 for 60 (30 day supply)

So Viread & Epivir & Sustiva is $1123 X 12 = $13,476 for a year of therapy Viread & Epivir & Viramune is $1051 X 12 = $12,612 for a year or therapy

This list is by no means exhaustive, but you can see the cost for these commonly used cocktails range from $10,812 to $14,724 for a year of therapy.