Cancer treatment could set back patients by up to $20,000 per year, with the entire treatment duration possibly reaching more than a million dollars. Many who suffer from the condition are not only experiencing the physical and emotional pain it brings, but cancer has the potential to upend an entire family’s financial security. Medication alone could put a strain on whatever’s left after chemotherapy sessions. This doesn’t mean that the family lacks access to more affordable options.
It is still possible for patients to find medication that aligns with their needs and matches their treatment plans. For the most part, there are private and government-backed programs focused on providing resources and advice on how to qualify for discounts and other means of accessing drugs that are just as effective as branded options. Here’s a quick guide on how you can find affordable cancer medication for yourself or a loved one.
1. Explore Generic and Biosimilar Drugs
Significant differences exist between branded and generic medications, with most patients opting to pay more for innovator drugs, claiming that they are more potent compared to their generic counterparts. In reality, generic medications work just as well since they contain the same material and provide the same level of quality. Sure enough, doctors are required to provide you with a list of generic medications alongside branded ones.
However, there are cases when your doctor prescribes branded medication to ensure consistency and to prevent physical risks posed by inactive ingredients in most generic drugs. Another option is to try biosimilar drugs, which are derived from living cells and are designed to reference an existing biologic drug. This would mean shortened clinical trials, allowing biosimilar drugs to sell at a lower price compared to branded options.
2. Reach Out to Organizations
Another approach is to contact organizations with advocacies aimed at helping cancer patients access financial and legal resources, as well as advice on medication options. For instance, the Komen Treatment Assistance Program provides resources for accessing financial aid to women with breast cancer. It provides grants of up to $500 that cover drug co-payments, especially for prescription medication to treat nausea and oral pain.
Veterans and mesothelioma patients can also find advocacy groups that will connect them with lawyers who can help them get compensated through a liable third party. The total payout could be more than enough to cover daily medical expenses, including prescription drugs. These organizations may also provide a directory of other financial aid sources, which could help provide relief while the mesothelioma claims process is ongoing.
3. Be Cautious When Importing Medication
You might find that buying cheaper drugs from abroad is a better alternative, but the Food and Drug Administration explicitly states that importation is prohibited even if the drug itself is approved for sale and use in its country of origin.
Citing safety risks, the FDA recommends buying only medication from legal sources within the United States, but certain situations may allow you to import drugs as a supplement to your cancer treatment and not as treatment itself. Under FDA regulations, you can import drugs only when they are used to treat a form of cancer and are not available in the United States.
A case in point is the chemotherapy drug carboplatin, which has been in short supply over the past few years, prompting the FDA to authorize emergency importation. The conditions are that these drugs are manufactured by approved foreign companies. This is only on a case-by-case basis, especially if cheaper alternative drugs are unavailable in the country. In this case, you are allowed up to three months’ supply for personal use.
Endnote
Cancer medication shouldn’t exhaust your finances. You simply need to know where and how to secure affordable drugs the right way using the tips above.
