Fasenra vs Nucala
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Fasenra
Benralizumab
Manufactured by AstraZeneca
Nucala
Mepolizumab
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline
Nucala costs 4% less per claim than Fasenra ($2,720.00 vs $2,836.00). A generic version of Nucala is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Fasenra | Nucala |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $2,836.00 | $2,720.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $987.0M | $1.5B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 32,000 | 48,000 |
| Total Claims | 348,000 | 564,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $30,844.00 | $31,958.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +18.6% | +12.4% |
| Generic Available | No | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Nov 14, 2031 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | AstraZeneca | GlaxoSmithKline |
| Condition | Asthma/COPD | Asthma/COPD |
| Generic Name | Benralizumab | Mepolizumab |
Fasenra vs Nucala: What the Data Shows
Fasenra (Benralizumab) and Nucala (Mepolizumab) are both used to treat asthma/copd. Based on Medicare Part D data, Nucala costs $2,720.00 per claim, which is 4% less than Fasenra at $2,836.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $987.0M on Fasenra and $1.5B on Nucala. In terms of patient reach, Nucala serves more beneficiaries (48,000 vs 32,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +18.6% for Fasenra and +12.4% for Nucala. Fasenra saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases. Nucala saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Nucala has a generic available, while Fasenra remains brand-only until its patent expires Nov 14, 2031.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nucala is cheaper at $2,720.00 per claim, compared to $2,836.00 for Fasenra. That makes Nucala about 4% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Fasenra and Nucala are used to treat asthma/copd. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Nucala has a generic version (Mepolizumab) available, which is typically much cheaper. Fasenra is currently brand-only, with patent expiring Nov 14, 2031.
Medicare Part D spent $987.0M on Fasenra covering 32,000 beneficiaries, and $1.5B on Nucala covering 48,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.