Zytiga generics

[Mkeman]

For those of us suffering from the high cost of Zytiga.....apparently some of the patents held by Johnson and Johnson expired or became invalid at the end of October causing some analysts to predict that generic forms of the drug might be on the market soon. You can Google “Zytiga generics” for more information.

[Fairwind]

Generic Zytiga has been available in foreign countries for several years..But after overseas pharmaceutical companies announced plans to offer their generic versions in the United States, J&J pulled out all the stops and mounted a full press legal challenge to prevent this from happening..To them, profits are more important than extending lives..

[Mkeman in reply to Fairwind]

According to what I read, J&J has patent protection in Europe for several more years. Your right about money being their main concern. They acquired rights to Zytiga from a UK organization that developed it 20 years ago. No R&D or research costs.

[Mkeman in reply to Mkeman]

There is also a new drug named Yonsa that has the same main ingredient as Zytiga. But at $9000 a month the same corporate money objective applies.

[cesanon in reply to Mkeman]

It appears that yonsa is much less expensive than zytiga.

[Mkeman in reply to Mkeman]

I read $9600 month... about $1000 a month less. I have not found info on its effectiveness. I pay $540 a month for Zytiga , or 5 percent of the cost, at the catastrophic level of Medicare Part D. In January it will cost $5100 for that refill as I will have to pay all the out of pocket expenses to get to the catastrophic level. Two companies have FDA approval for generics but are waiting for the legal air to clear around J&J legal claims.

[Hidden in reply to Mkeman]

My pharmacist told me a generic was available but didn’t know the price. Had to have a script from my dr. Sent a message to him but no response yet. They may have no information on it yet. I’m paying the same as you mkeman. By blue cross rep told me to search other part d suppliers before the dec 7 open enrollment ends. Some are paying less. Have healed 200.

[Hirsch in reply to Mkeman]

a shame they did not introduce it 20 years ago..

[Mkeman in reply to Hirsch]

Interesting story...Google “history of Zytiga”...

[Hirsch in reply to Mkeman]

will do thanks

[Hirsch in reply to Hirsch]

just read fascinating.. what a delay ..

[thevvy in reply to Fairwind]

Exactly, and if Big Pharma have their way, there will never be a cure for cancer! But I am a cynical ol' coot!!

[GoBucks]

J & J will appeal the decision in Court and make at least another 1-2 billion dollars while we wait.

[j-o-h-n]

I'll show Johnson and Johnson. I'm throwing away all of their band-aids... I'll use Curex band-aids, the ones with the peanut characters on them.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 11/23/2018 10:13 PM EST

[Mkeman in reply to j-o-h-n]

Lol. Unfortunately J&J are the only ones that really stick.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Mkeman]

Come to think of it you're right... I'll have to fish them out of my garbage...

True story: I once wrote to the CEO of J&J asking him to put back those red strings in the band-aids. The ones you can pull off the wrapping with one (not two) hands while you're bleeding. He responded by sending me two free boxes of band-aids and of course the ones without the red strings. I even mentioned it would be a good advertising gimmick, similar to the blue M & Ms replacing the tan M & Ms.

But alas c'est la vie.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Friday 11/23/2018 10:34PM EST

[thevvy in reply to j-o-h-n]

Yeah .... goodonya .... that'll teach 'em!!