Gilenya vs Tecfidera
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Gilenya
Fingolimod
Manufactured by Novartis
Tecfidera
Dimethyl Fumarate
Manufactured by Biogen
Tecfidera costs 28% less per claim than Gilenya ($4,103.00 vs $5,738.00). A generic version of Tecfidera is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Gilenya | Tecfidera |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $5,738.00 | $4,103.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $1.4B | $1.8B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 22,000 | 38,000 |
| Total Claims | 248,000 | 428,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $64,682.00 | $46,211.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -14.8% | -28.4% |
| Generic Available | No | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Sep 22, 2027 | Apr 12, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Novartis | Biogen |
| Condition | Multiple Sclerosis | Multiple Sclerosis |
| Generic Name | Fingolimod | Dimethyl Fumarate |
Gilenya vs Tecfidera: What the Data Shows
Gilenya (Fingolimod) and Tecfidera (Dimethyl Fumarate) are both used to treat multiple sclerosis. Based on Medicare Part D data, Tecfidera costs $4,103.00 per claim, which is 28% less than Gilenya at $5,738.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $1.4B on Gilenya and $1.8B on Tecfidera. In terms of patient reach, Tecfidera serves more beneficiaries (38,000 vs 22,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -14.8% for Gilenya and -28.4% for Tecfidera.
Tecfidera has a generic available, while Gilenya remains brand-only until its patent expires Sep 22, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tecfidera is cheaper at $4,103.00 per claim, compared to $5,738.00 for Gilenya. That makes Tecfidera about 28% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Gilenya and Tecfidera are used to treat multiple sclerosis. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Tecfidera has a generic version (Dimethyl Fumarate) available, which is typically much cheaper. Gilenya is currently brand-only, with patent expiring Sep 22, 2027.
Medicare Part D spent $1.4B on Gilenya covering 22,000 beneficiaries, and $1.8B on Tecfidera covering 38,000 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.