Acalabrutinib (Calquence®) - A Modern Blood Cancer Therapy - Now Without the High Price Tag

Blood cancers account for nearly 10% of cancer diagnoses in the USA each year, and Acalabrutinib (Calquence®), a newer targeted therapy, offers promising results. However, the branded drug comes at a high cost, restricting access for many patients.

If you or a loved one is suffering from blood cancer and is worried about the cost of Calquence®, this blog explains how to access safe and affordable alternatives.

How Does Acalabrutinib Help Blood Cancer Patients?

Acalabrutinib (Calquence®) is a BTK inhibitor for blood cancers such as CLL, SLL, and MCL. It offers promising and durable responses, as shown in large trials like ASCEND and ELEVATE-TN. Doctors usually prescribe it for newly diagnosed or relapsed CLL, first-line or relapsed SLL, and MCL, in previously treated patients or select untreated cases with chemoimmunotherapy.

Why Blood Cancer Patients Pay So Much for Calquence®

Calquence® (acalabrutinib) is a lifesaver in treating certain blood cancers, but its cost leaves many patients and families overwhelmed. The monthly treatment costs more than $15,000 in the US due to patents that prevent the entry of generic drugs.

Is an Affordable Generic Version of Calquence® Available?

Many patients ask if a generic version of Calquence® (acalabrutinib) is available to cut costs. Sadly, the answer is no, for most countries! In the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, only the branded drug is accessible. Patents and regulatory protections prevent the entry of generics in these countries, leaving patients in all four regions dependent on Calquence® alone. Patients can access these medicines via MedsPartner’s personal import program. MedsPartner has an expertise in making life-saving cancer drugs accessible globally at a fraction of the US/UK price, ensuring that patients don’t have to compromise on treatment due to cost or availability barriers!

This table shows the huge price difference between branded Calquence® and generic acalabrutinib available on MedsPartner.

Benefits Of Using Generics

• Cost savings - Generics cost a fraction of the branded med’s price.
• High-Quality Assurance - Generics manufactured in licensed facilities guarantee high quality.
• Global Access - Most countries permit personal importation of life-saving meds in limited quantities when local options fall short.

How Can Patients Access Affordable Acalabrutinib?

When faced with a high price tag, many patients feel trapped and overwhelmed.
Here are the most practical alternatives patients can explore -

• Generic versions are available in India. Personal Importation Programs offer safe access with a valid prescription.
• Manufacturer Assistance Programs offer limited support based on income criteria, but are not always accessible everywhere.
• Clinical Trials may help eligible patients get free or subsidized treatment.

FAQs About Blood Cancer Treatment

1. What types of blood cancer can be treated with Calquence®?
Calquence® is used for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL).

2. How is Calquence® different from chemotherapy in blood cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy attacks both healthy and cancerous cells. Targeted therapies like Calquence® work only on cancer cells, making treatment more precise, with fewer side effects.

3. Can Acalabrutinib cure blood cancer?
For most patients, these treatments help control the disease long-term rather than cure it. Some patients achieve durable remissions, especially when targeted drugs are combined with other therapies.

4. Are there alternatives if Calquence® is too expensive?
Yes, other alternatives include generic versions from India through personal importation, manufacturer assistance programs, and clinical trials for patients eligible for investigational therapies.

5. Is there a generic Calquence® available?
Yes. While Calquence® (Acalabrutinib) is marketed by AstraZeneca, generic versions of Acalabrutinib are already manufactured in India and a few other countries. These generics offer the same active ingredient, dosage strength, and therapeutic effect, and via MedsPartner, patients can access these generic alternatives via a safe personal import process, making treatment affordable.

6. Can I buy generic Calquence® online in a compliant manner?
Yes. Patients can obtain generic Calquence® (Acalabrutinib) via MedsPartner’s personal import services, ensuring that the purchase complies with international personal importation guidelines while protecting patients from counterfeit or unsafe products.

7. How do I ensure the quality and safety of generic Calquence® while importing from India?
Quality and safety are critical, hence when ordering through MedsPartner, patients receive medicines only from verified, licensed manufacturers in India that comply with international standards. 

8. Why do doctors sometimes not tell patients about the available generic options?
There are various reasons:

1. Doctors in the US, UK, or EU may only be familiar with FDA/EMA-approved brands.
2. Pharmaceutical marketing and regulations limit what physicians can prescribe or disclose.
3. Doctors often hesitate to suggest personal importation due to lack of awareness.             

9. How much cheaper is generic Acalabrutinib as compared to Calquence®?
Generic Acalabrutinib from India is ~90% cheaper than the branded Calquence® sold in the US or UK. What might cost thousands of dollars per month in the US can be affordable through MedsPartner’s personal import program, without compromising on efficacy or safety.

Affordable Options for Calquence® Are Within Reach

Calquence® is a lifeline for many living with blood cancer, but its cost shouldn’t stand in the way. Safe, effective, and affordable options are available through personal importation from trusted markets like India.

At MedsPartner, we help patients overcome financial hurdles and access the treatments they need, without compromise.

Write to us today to learn how you can access affordable versions of Acalabrutinib and other critical cancer medicines.