The cost of Talvey can vary based on several factors, including your dosage and insurance coverage. Drug savings programs can also lower the price you’ll pay for Talvey.

As with all medications, the cost of Talvey can vary. Factors that may affect your price for Talvey include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Talvey
  • whether Talvey has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)

Talvey contains the active ingredient talquetamab-tgvs, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

Note the reason “-tgvs” appears at the end of talquetamab is to show that Talvey’s active ingredient is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you need financial support to pay for Talvey, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called J&J withMe savings program is available for Talvey if you have insurance. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 833-JNJ-wMe1 (833-565-9631) or visit the program website.
  • The Janssen Patient Assistance Program is also available for people who may not be able to afford Talvey. For more details and to see if you’re eligible, call 833-742-0791 or see the program’s website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

Learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Talvey.

How does the cost of Talvey compare with the cost of other multiple myeloma drugs, such as Darzalex?

There are other drugs that are used to treat certain types of multiple myeloma. These include:

The cost of Talvey compared with the cost of the drugs listed above may depend on your insurance coverage, the cost of going to your doctor to receive the drug, and how often you’ll need to have a dose. Other multiple myeloma treatments are also available that may have different costs.

Keep in mind that Talvey and the drugs listed above are biologics. These drugs are made using living cells, and they are typically more expensive than traditional drugs that are made from chemicals. Carvykti is a type of CAR-T cell therapy that uses your own cells to fight cancer. (See the “Brand-name vs. biosimilar drugs” section for more details about biologics.)

If you have questions about how the cost of Talvey compares with the cost of other multiple myeloma treatments, talk with your doctor or insurance company.

How much does Talvey cost per year?

The cost of Talvey per year depends on certain factors. These include how often you’ll be receiving the drug, such as weekly or biweekly, and the cost to visit your doctor to receive your doses. It may also depend on your insurance coverage and whether you qualify for any Talvey savings programs. (For more details, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section.)

If you have questions about your yearly cost of Talvey, your doctor or insurance company may be able to help.

The following is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Talvey.

Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Talvey. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Talvey in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Talvey requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage: Talvey is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Talvey doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Talvey doses, such as at your doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.