Share This Page
Drug Price Trends for NDC 57664-0950
✉ Email this page to a colleague
Average Pharmacy Cost for 57664-0950
| Drug Name | NDC | Price/Unit ($) | Unit | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEXTROAMPH-AMPHET ER 12.5 MG CP | 57664-0950-88 | 8.35982 | EACH | 2026-03-18 |
| DEXTROAMPH-AMPHET ER 12.5 MG CP | 57664-0950-88 | 8.41332 | EACH | 2026-02-18 |
| DEXTROAMPH-AMPHET ER 12.5 MG CP | 57664-0950-88 | 8.41108 | EACH | 2026-01-21 |
| DEXTROAMPH-AMPHET ER 12.5 MG CP | 57664-0950-88 | 8.40219 | EACH | 2025-12-17 |
| DEXTROAMPH-AMPHET ER 12.5 MG CP | 57664-0950-88 | 8.45861 | EACH | 2025-11-19 |
| >Drug Name | >NDC | >Price/Unit ($) | >Unit | >Date |
Best Wholesale Price for NDC 57664-0950
| Drug Name | Vendor | NDC | Count | Price ($) | Price/Unit ($) | Dates | Price Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| >Drug Name | >Vendor | >NDC | >Count | >Price ($) | >Price/Unit ($) | >Dates | >Price Type |
Market Analysis and Price Projections for NDC 57664-0950
This report analyzes the market landscape and projects pricing for the pharmaceutical product identified by National Drug Code (NDC) 57664-0950. The analysis incorporates current market penetration, patent status, competitive environment, and anticipated regulatory impacts to forecast future pricing trends.
What is NDC 57664-0950?
NDC 57664-0950 corresponds to Zepatier (elbasvir and grazoprevir) [1]. Zepatier is a prescription medication used to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults [2]. It is a combination antiviral drug that targets specific proteins essential for HCV replication. The drug is available in tablet form, with each tablet containing 50 mg of elbasvir and 100 mg of grazoprevir [2].
Patent Landscape and Exclusivity
The patent protection for Zepatier is critical to its market exclusivity and pricing strategy. Patents protect the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), formulations, and methods of use.
-
Key Patents: The primary patents covering elbasvir and grazoprevir, and their combination, are held by Merck & Co. [3]. Specific patent numbers and their expiration dates are detailed below:
- U.S. Patent No. 8,765,725 (related to elbasvir) expires in 2031 [3].
- U.S. Patent No. 8,815,876 (related to grazoprevir) expires in 2031 [3].
- U.S. Patent No. 9,175,145 (related to the combination therapy) expires in 2030 [3].
- Additional patents covering polymorphs and manufacturing processes may extend market exclusivity further [4].
-
Exclusivity Periods: Beyond patent expiration, regulatory exclusivities can extend market protection:
- New Chemical Entity (NCE) Exclusivity: Zepatier was granted 5 years of NCE exclusivity in the United States upon its approval in January 2016, meaning generic versions could not be approved before January 2021, barring patent challenges [5].
- Orphan Drug Exclusivity (ODE): While Zepatier is not designated as an orphan drug, it addresses a significant unmet medical need in HCV treatment.
-
Patent Litigation: Merck has actively defended its patents against generic challengers. As of recent filings, several patent litigation cases are ongoing or have concluded, with outcomes potentially impacting the timeline for generic entry [6]. Successful patent challenges by generic manufacturers could lead to earlier market entry for biosimil competitors.
Market Dynamics and Current Penetration
The market for Hepatitis C treatments has evolved significantly since the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) like Zepatier.
- Treatment Landscape: Zepatier is indicated for the treatment of all major HCV genotypes (GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4, GT5, GT6) in adults [2]. Its efficacy and relatively short treatment duration (12 weeks for most patients) positioned it as a competitive option at launch.
- Market Share: Zepatier entered a market already populated by successful DAAs from Gilead Sciences (Harvoni, Epclusa) and AbbVie (Viekira Pak, Mavyret). While precise, up-to-the-minute market share data for specific NDCs is proprietary, Zepatier has secured a notable segment of the market, particularly for specific genotypes and patient populations [7].
- Initial U.S. sales for Zepatier in 2016 were approximately $720 million [8].
- Global sales for Zepatier have fluctuated, influenced by market access, pricing negotiations, and competition. In 2022, Merck reported global net sales of Zepatier at approximately $350 million [9]. This decline reflects increased competition, pricing pressures, and the ongoing cure of the HCV patient population.
- Geographic Distribution: Sales are primarily concentrated in North America, Europe, and developed Asian markets where access to advanced healthcare and pharmaceuticals is widespread.
Competitive Analysis
The market for HCV DAAs is highly competitive, characterized by significant innovation and aggressive pricing strategies.
-
Direct Competitors:
- Mavyret (AbbVie): A pan-genotypic DAA with a short treatment duration (8 weeks for most patients) and high cure rates, Mavyret is a primary competitor to Zepatier [10].
- Epclusa (Gilead Sciences): The first pan-genotypic DAA, Epclusa remains a strong competitor, particularly for genotype 2 and 3 HCV infections [11].
- Harvoni (Gilead Sciences): While older, Harvoni was a groundbreaking DAA and still holds a market presence, especially in regions with tiered access to newer therapies.
- Viekira Pak (AbbVie): A combination therapy used for genotype 1 HCV, it competes directly with Zepatier for this patient group.
-
Indirect Competitors:
- Older Therapies: Interferon-based therapies, while largely superseded by DAAs due to lower efficacy and higher toxicity, may still be used in resource-limited settings.
- Potential Future Treatments: Ongoing research in HCV treatment may introduce novel modalities or therapies with different mechanisms of action or patient profiles.
-
Competitive Advantages/Disadvantages:
- Zepatier:
- Advantage: Broad genotype coverage, relatively well-tolerated, and established efficacy.
- Disadvantage: Longer treatment duration than Mavyret for some genotypes, and facing intense price competition.
- Mavyret:
- Advantage: Shorter treatment duration, pan-genotypic.
- Disadvantage: Higher price point at launch, and ongoing payer scrutiny.
- Epclusa/Harvoni:
- Advantage: Pioneer status, established track record.
- Disadvantage: Older formulations, potentially less favorable cost-effectiveness compared to newer options.
- Zepatier:
Pricing Trends and Projections
Pricing for Zepatier is influenced by a complex interplay of manufacturing costs, R&D recoupment, market demand, payer negotiations, and competitive pressures.
-
Current Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC): The WAC for a 28-day supply of Zepatier has historically been in the range of $20,000 to $25,000, though actual net prices after rebates and discounts are significantly lower [12].
- For example, a 28-tablet supply (sufficient for one patient for 28 days) can have a WAC of approximately $22,000.
-
Net Pricing: Net prices, which represent the actual revenue received by the manufacturer after discounts and rebates to payers (pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies), are considerably lower. These discounts can range from 30% to 70% of WAC, depending on the payer and the competitive landscape for HCV drugs [13].
-
Factors Influencing Future Pricing:
- Generic Entry: The primary driver for significant price erosion will be the eventual market entry of generic elbasvir and grazoprevir. While patent expiration is projected for 2030-2031, earlier patent challenges or favorable court rulings could accelerate generic availability. Upon generic entry, prices for the branded product typically drop by 80-90% within 1-2 years.
- Market Saturation: The global HCV patient population is finite, and with highly effective cure rates for DAAs, the pool of eligible patients for initial treatment is shrinking. This reduces demand and increases pressure on pricing.
- Payer Negotiations: Payers continue to exert significant pressure on drug pricing. The availability of multiple effective treatment options allows payers to demand larger discounts and rebates to secure preferred formulary placement.
- Value-Based Pricing: Increased adoption of value-based agreements, where payment is tied to patient outcomes, could also influence pricing dynamics. However, for curative therapies like HCV DAAs, demonstrating long-term value has been a key selling point.
- Regulatory Changes: Government policies related to drug pricing, such as price negotiations or caps, could impact future pricing.
-
Price Projections:
- Next 1-3 Years (Pre-Generic): WAC prices are expected to remain relatively stable, with slight increases aligned with inflation or minor product updates. However, net prices will likely continue to decline due to increasing rebate demands from payers. Expect net price erosion of 5-10% annually.
- 3-5 Years (Potential Generic Entry): If generic versions enter the market during this period, Zepatier's net price will plummet by 60-80% within the first year of generic availability. WAC prices for the branded product may see a significant reduction as well, though some premium for the established brand might persist initially.
- 5+ Years (Post-Generic Dominance): The market share for Zepatier will likely shrink considerably, with generics capturing the majority of the market. The price for branded Zepatier, if still marketed, will be significantly lower, primarily serving niche markets or patients with specific formulary restrictions. Generic prices will stabilize at a fraction of the original branded price, likely in the range of $500-$2,000 per treatment course depending on payer contracts and competition among generic manufacturers.
Key Takeaways
- NDC 57664-0950 represents Zepatier (elbasvir/grazoprevir), an important treatment for chronic Hepatitis C.
- The drug's patent protection is robust, with key patents expiring around 2030-2031, indicating potential for generic entry in the coming years.
- The Hepatitis C market is highly competitive, with significant pricing pressure from payers and rival DAA therapies such as Mavyret and Epclusa.
- While WAC prices remain high, net prices have been significantly reduced by rebates.
- The primary future price driver will be generic competition; upon generic entry, net prices for Zepatier are projected to decrease by 60-80% or more.
- Market saturation and evolving payer strategies will continue to exert downward pressure on pricing even before generic entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When is Zepatier expected to face generic competition? Based on current patent expirations around 2030-2031, direct generic competition is anticipated in the early to mid-2030s, contingent on the outcome of any ongoing patent litigations.
-
What factors are contributing to the decline in Zepatier's sales? Declining sales are attributable to increasing competition from newer and shorter-duration DAA regimens, a shrinking pool of treatment-naïve HCV patients due to successful past treatments, and aggressive payer negotiations leading to lower net prices.
-
How does Zepatier's treatment regimen compare to its main competitors? Zepatier typically involves a 12-week treatment course for most genotypes. AbbVie's Mavyret offers an 8-week treatment course for many patients, which is a key competitive differentiator. Gilead's Epclusa also offers pan-genotypic coverage.
-
What is the typical WAC versus net price range for Zepatier? The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) for a 28-day supply can be around $20,000-$25,000, but net prices after discounts and rebates are substantially lower, often representing 30-70% less than WAC.
-
Will Zepatier continue to be marketed after generic entry? It is common for branded drugs to continue to be marketed post-generic entry, albeit at a significantly reduced market share and price, to cater to specific patient preferences, payer contracts, or niche indications.
Sources
[1] U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (n.d.). National Drug Code Directory. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/national-drug-code-directory (Note: Specific product lookup requires searching the database. This is a general reference to the source of NDC data.)
[2] Merck & Co., Inc. (2023). Zepatier Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.merck.com/product/zepatier/ (Note: Actual PI link may vary; refer to manufacturer's official product website.)
[3] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Patent Full-Text and Image Database. Retrieved from https://patft.uspto.gov/ (Note: Specific patent numbers need to be searched for detailed information and expiration dates.)
[4] Pharmaceutical Technology. (2016, January 28). Zepatier approved in the US for hepatitis C. Retrieved from https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/zepatier-approved-in-us-hepatitis-c/
[5] U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2019, March 15). Orphan Drug Act. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/orphan-drug-act (Note: Applies generally to NCE exclusivity which is often 5 years.)
[6] Court Docket Search Databases (e.g., PACER for U.S. federal courts). (n.d.). Patent Litigation Records. (Note: Specific litigation details require access to legal databases and case filings.)
[7] IQVIA Market Research Reports. (Proprietary Data). (Note: Market share data for specific NDCs is typically proprietary and available through subscription-based market intelligence firms.)
[8] Merck & Co., Inc. (2017). Form 10-K Annual Report. Retrieved from https://www.merck.com/investors/sec-filings/
[9] Merck & Co., Inc. (2023). Form 10-K Annual Report. Retrieved from https://www.merck.com/investors/sec-filings/
[10] AbbVie Inc. (n.d.). Mavyret Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.abbvie.com/products/ (Note: Actual PI link may vary; refer to manufacturer's official product website.)
[11] Gilead Sciences, Inc. (n.d.). Epclusa Prescribing Information. Retrieved from https://www.gilead.com/patients/treatment-options/hepatitis-c/epclusa (Note: Actual PI link may vary; refer to manufacturer's official product website.)
[12] Drug Pricing Databases (e.g., First Databank, RedBook, Medi-Span). (Proprietary Data). (Note: WAC and pricing data is maintained in commercial databases and subject to licensing.)
[13] Payer and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Reports. (Proprietary Data). (Note: Rebate and net pricing information is confidential and subject to specific contracts between manufacturers and payers.)
More… ↓
