U.S. vs. Canadian Drug Prices in 2021

Written by Gabriel Levitt, MA | Posted January 28, 2021 | Updated April 06, 2021

Our favorite drug companies kicked off 2021 the only way they know how:  extensive drug price increases in America! In an analysis of about 500 drugs, the median price increase was 4.9%. This is a time-honored tradition: Last year, the median was 5%. Year after year after year after year, we learn just after New Year’s Day that drug prices are up again -- and it’s usually multiple times the rate of inflation. In this case, the drug price increases are eight times higher than the inflation rate for 2020. 

This data was brought to you by 46brooklyn, an incredible non-profit initiative dedicated to transparency and hard-hitting analyses of prescription drug prices. 

Drug prices in Canada and most other countries do not rise at the insane rates we see here in the United States. Why?  Because other countries have laws that prevent such price gouging. For example, drugs are cheaper in Canada due to its Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, which ensures that new brand name drugs do not come with exorbitant price tags and face endless price increases beyond inflation.  

When I helped start PharmacyChecker.com back in 2002, savings from Canada on popular and then patented drugs -- like Lipitor (atorvastatin), Viagra (sildenafil), and Zoloft (sertraline) --  were around 50%. Just about every year, the savings rate grows between the countries when it comes to brand name prescription drugs. 

We looked at 10 drugs mentioned in 46brooklyn’s data, which saw a median increase of 4.85%. The potential savings on those drugs obtained from a Canadian pharmacy is 61%. We took it a step further, and also included savings if an American decided to order from a country other than Canada: savings shot up to 71%.  

U.S. Drug Prices vs. Canada vs. International 2021

Drug Name Strength Quantity WAC Price Increase % Change Average U.S. Retail Price Lowest Canadian Price Savings Lowest International Price (Outside of Canada) Savings
Biktarvy 50/200/25mg 90 tablets 4.80% $11,648.70 $4,499.97 61.37% $3,699.99 68.24%
Genvoya 150/150/200/10mg 90 tablets 4.80% $11,902.54 $4,407.00 62.97% $3,629.70 69.50%
Latuda 40mg 90 tablets 4.90% $4,628.70 $519.99 88.77% $284.95 93.84%
Eliquis 5mg 180 tablets 6% $1,668.60 $369.99 77.83% $163.80 90.18%
Triumeq 600/50/300mg 90 tablets 4.90% $11,014.39 $4,939.95 55.15% $3,718.64 66.24%
Vraylar 6mg 90 tablets 3.50% $4,359.60 N/A N/A $1,832.40 57.97%
Descovy 200/25mg 90 tablets 4.80% $6,566.40 $2,999.99 54.31% $2,898.95 55.85%
Jardiance 10mg 90 tablets 5% $1,845.00 $289.99 84.28% $130.99 92.90%
Ibrance 100mg 42 capsules 5% $27,313.00 $12,999.84 52.40% $11,859.53 56.58%
Odefsey 200/25/25 90 tablets 4.80% $10,776.94 N/A N/A $4,437.95 58.82%

WAC median price increase data from 46brooklyn. Pricing from PharmacyChecker.com.

Many of the drugs are still too expensive for most Americans to pay for out of pocket. The cancer drug Ibrance, for example, is over $27,000 for a 90-day supply in the U.S. vs. $13,000 in Canada. The lowest international pharmacy price listed on PharmacyChecker.com is $11,860. For uninsured Americans who are prescribed this drug, their first step is to try and find a Patient Assistance Program. 

But for other drugs, such as Eliquis (apixaban), Latuda (lurasidone), and Jardiance (empagliflozin), Canadian pharmacies and pharmacies in other countries could offer a practical lifeline for Americans without health insurance or where insurance doesn’t cover their prescribed drug. If you choose to avail yourself of international drug prices, make sure you only shop at those accredited through the PharmacyChecker Verification Program. This is the surefire way to avoid dangerous websites that pose as online pharmacies. We vet and monitor legitimate pharmacy operations located in Canada and other countries to ensure patient safety when buying medication online.

There is no real end in sight to drug price hikes in the U.S. until legislation and regulatory reforms are successfully brought to bear. Trump’s rhetoric was full of bashing Big Pharma, which certainly moved his party in the direction of supporting lowering drug prices -- but this didn’t exactly yield tangible results. With the wind at his sails, President Biden has the momentum and potential for bipartisanship to pass new laws and regulatory reforms to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, expand drug importation at the wholesale level beyond Canada, set up frameworks to expressly permit personal importation, and end patent games so that less expensive generics can come to market faster. 

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Sylvia S.on Nov 6, 2022

I apologize to be writing on the review page
I am a pensioner, from South Africa. I'm looking for the best price for Xarelto. The state hospital prescribed Warfarin. I am totally allergic to warfarin

Please can you advise which is affordable to a pensioner.

Regards

Date of experience: November 6, 2022

Gretchen J.on Oct 17, 2021

Simplest and easiest site ever I had so much anxiety first being diagnosed with cancer and then getting on this medication I was not able to afford the real medication I could only get the generic so I came online and I found Canadian pharmacy store. Com, which made that medicine very affordable for me to purchase in a couple of easy steps also The chat with Marilyn S. Answered all my questions from who is the manufacture of my medication's to my prescription size and shipping time just everything thank you so much

Date of experience: October 15, 2021

James H.on Mar 11, 2021

We just ordered for my 90 year-old Mom. In the U.S. generics are not always available. So using PharmacyChecker we felt that its member pharmacy vendors were vetted. This reassurance of reliability took much of the guess work out of our shopping task.

Date of experience: March 10, 2021

Sandra S.on Dec 10, 2020

Always nice every time I have called or placed an order that I needed to check on. Thank you for all you do. Rick you made it so easy In the beginning of the relationship between us for me to stay with you.

Date of experience: December 9, 2020

George C.on Dec 8, 2020

This website provides very helpful information on ordering medications from non-U.S. Sources. We save 50% to 60% on name brand meds that are not available in generic forms in the U.S. We have saved thousands over the years.

Date of experience: December 8, 2020

Rod L.on Dec 7, 2020

I feel safe ordering from a pharmaceutical company outside of the U S because the prescription I am using is exactly the same as those sold in the U S, however, the price is totally different. What I had paid in the U S for 90 pills listed at almost $500. For which I have been paying $72. From a Canadian company for 5 or 6 years now, the price includes shipping and is sometimes negotiable.

Date of experience: December 7, 2020

J M.on Sep 29, 2020

This happens to be a very good pharmacy that delivers name brand meds at a reasonable price. All of the meds that I have purchased through this pharmacy have been the exact product my doctor listed. All of the products were labeled with original manufacturer's identity and location with date of manufacture and expiration. I am certainly glad that I found this pharmacy. Great job.

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Jerry M.on Sep 29, 2020

I recommend it to many people. It sure saved us a lot and we learned a lot. The discount card saved us, too at Kroger.

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Michael B.on Sep 2, 2020

I have been able to source several meds, at 10% of the american pharma cost. I have no doubt that I bought them where american pharma buys them, and then rapes the public. Thank you p checker

Date of experience: September 2, 2020

IWANT N.on Aug 20, 2020

I am happy to see the entities that are endorsed by you. But I did have a horrendous experience with Canadian Pharmacy with my latest order. After switching the location from which my order was to be chipped, the order was and still is being held by US Customs. They did give me a replacement order which I finally did receive but that order was submitted MUCH later than it should have been. Bottom line, I waited OVER THREE MONTHS for my med to finally be delivered and that cost me more money to piece meal samples from my doc and out of pocket for short term needs. And, the order I did receive cost me MORE for FEWER tablets. I know Covid-19 played a part in this fiasco but the supplier simply DID NOT PREFORM!

Date of experience: August 19, 2020

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