Why Is Farxiga So Expensive? Understand the Cost Factors

According to AARP, nine in ten older adults in the U.S. rely on prescription medications. Unfortunately, many are intentionally skipping their prescriptions because of cost. Indeed, AARP said that one of their surveys found that nearly half of adults 50 and over have done so (or know someone who did).

After all, the U.S. is where some of the world’s most expensive drug prices are. One such medication that has made headlines for its high cost is Farxiga.

So, why is Farxiga so expensive in the United States, and how has it become the talk of town? How can individuals who rely on this medication for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease buy it for less?

Our team at Canadian Pharmacy Online will answer all those questions in this guide, so please read on.

Why Is Farxiga So Expensive in the U.S.?

There are several reasons why Farxiga pricing, like many other medications, is so high in the U.S., including:

• Being a brand-name drug
• Brand awareness that drives demand
• A lack of drug price control and regulation

Being a Brand-Name Drug

Brand-name drugs are medicines made and sold by a manufacturer under a specific name or trademark. In Farxiga’s case, AstraZeneca is the manufacturer, while Farxiga is the brand.

Brand-name drugs are the first of their kind. To have “invented” the medication, the manufacturer had to spend a lot of money on its research and development. The manufacturing company then passes on its “expenditures” to the end-user (i.e., the people taking the medicine).

Brand-name drugs also have patents, during which time only their manufacturer can produce and market them. No other company can “compete” by using a similar product or making a generic version. Thus, the original maker has no competitor, giving its product “exclusivity” and driving its price.

The good news is that a less expensive generic version of Farxiga, dapagliflozin, recently got approval. Still, the considerable time its patent was valid gave AstraZeneca the advantage of marketing, which now lends to its brand’s awareness, recognition, and recall.  

Demand-Boosting Popularity

BioSpace.com reported that Farxiga was AstraZeneca’s best-selling asset for 2023, earning the British-Swedish drug maker $5.96 billion. Compared to 2022 sales, that $5.96 billion represents a 39% increase. It doesn’t come as a surprise, considering it’s one of the most expensive medications, especially in the U.S.

Because it’s a brand-name drug and, therefore, the first of its kind, Farxiga has become a household name. As a result, it continues to increase in popularity, especially since it’s effective. Unfortunately, its popularity and exclusivity further boost the demand for it, and, as the law of supply and demand dictates, high demand and low supply for a product command higher prices.

A Lack of U.S. Drug Price Control

According to a guide from ProtectOurCare.com, Farxiga dramatically costs more in the U.S. than in other countries. In the U.S., AstraZeneca’s prescription costs for Farxiga are:

• 15 times higher than in Australia
• 7.5 times more than in Canada
• 7 times higher than in Switzerland

One of the drug pricing factors behind such exorbitant Farxiga rates is the lack of drug price regulations in the United States. Unlike other countries, such as Canada, no regulatory board in the U.S. has a direct say on how much drug makers can charge for their products.

How Did Farxiga End up in News Headlines?

Aside from being AstraZeneca’s best-selling product in 2023, Farxiga also made headlines because of its rich history of suing other companies to protect its patents and profits. In the previously cited ProtectOurCare.org guide, it mentioned that AstraZeneca has sued:

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. for its proposed copy of Farxiga
• The Biden administration’s drug price negotiation law

The second one is another reason Farxiga has made headlines. Fortunately, the Biden administration had an agreement with Farxiga’s drug maker and negotiated its price under Medicare.

According to NBC News, the government negotiated Farxiga’s cost down from its $556 list price to a low of $178. However, consumers must still wait until 2026 to enjoy those lower rates.

How Can You Reduce Medication Costs for Farxiga Now?

2026 is a long way off, and people who rely on Farxiga can’t just stop taking it until then. Fortunately, there are several ways to save on its costs, including:

• Switching to generic dapagliflozin
• Exploring lower-cost medications applicable to your condition
• Using Canadian Pharmacy Online’s services

Generic Dapagliflozin

Although they may not look the same outside, generic drugs work the same way as their brand-name counterparts. The most significant difference between the two is that generics cost much less. Since the formula already exists, generic drug makers no longer have to spend money researching and developing the drug.

As mentioned above, generic dapagliflozin is now available, so consider speaking to your doctor about switching your prescription.

Lower-Cost Medications

You may find cheaper alternatives to Farxiga, depending on the health condition you use it for. For example, if you take it for diabetes, you may be able to switch to the much cheaper Glucophage (metformin). Please ask your doctor before doing so; they’ll need to issue you a new prescription anyway.

Rely on Canadian Pharmacy Online

Canadian Pharmacy Online is a reputable, trustworthy online pharmacy. One of our primary goals is to make prescription medications more affordable. We help our customers access brand-name and generic medicines for a fraction of what they would otherwise pay at a traditional U.S. pharmacy.

Whether you need Farxiga, its generic version, dapagliflozin, or other prescription medications, we have you covered. Our discount codes can also help make your medicines even more affordable.

Canadian Pharmacy Online: Making Farxiga and Other Drugs More Affordable

And there you have it, the guide answering the question, “Why is Farxiga so expensive in the United States?” Now you know it’s due to the medication being a brand-name drug in high demand. There’s also the lack of drug pricing control in the U.S., which, fortunately, will change, although not until 2026. 

Luckily, you don’t have to keep busting your budget with Farxiga’s high prices. Let our team at Canadian Pharmacy Online help. We’ll make filling your prescriptions simpler, more convenient, and, most importantly, easier on your pockets.

Reach out today, and we’ll gladly assist you in ordering your affordable prescriptions online!