Ocrevus vs Tysabri
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Ocrevus
Ocrelizumab
Manufactured by Genentech/Roche
Tysabri
Natalizumab
Manufactured by Biogen
Tysabri costs 58% less per claim than Ocrevus ($9,952.00 vs $23,635.00). A generic version of Tysabri is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Ocrevus | Tysabri |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $23,635.00 | $9,952.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $3.5B | $1.2B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 62,000 | 11,000 |
| Total Claims | 148,000 | 124,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $56,419.00 | $112,182.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +16.5% | -3.2% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Genentech/Roche | Biogen |
| Condition | Multiple Sclerosis | Multiple Sclerosis |
| Generic Name | Ocrelizumab | Natalizumab |
Ocrevus vs Tysabri: What the Data Shows
Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab) and Tysabri (Natalizumab) are both used to treat multiple sclerosis. Based on Medicare Part D data, Tysabri costs $9,952.00 per claim, which is 58% less than Ocrevus at $23,635.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $3.5B on Ocrevus and $1.2B on Tysabri. In terms of patient reach, Ocrevus serves more beneficiaries (62,000 vs 11,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +16.5% for Ocrevus and -3.2% for Tysabri. Ocrevus saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tysabri is cheaper at $9,952.00 per claim, compared to $23,635.00 for Ocrevus. That makes Tysabri about 58% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Ocrevus and Tysabri are used to treat multiple sclerosis. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Ocrelizumab and generic Natalizumab can offer significant cost savings, typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $3.5B on Ocrevus covering 62,000 beneficiaries, and $1.2B on Tysabri covering 11,000 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.
The side-by-side above pulls the CMS Medicare Part D Drug Spending data data for both Ocrevus and Tysabri. What follows is the interpretation — which specific axes carry the most weight for Ocrevus versus Tysabri, and which differences are large enough to influence a real decision.
For households or analysts using this comparison as a decision input, the right framing is usually not "which is better" in aggregate but "which is better for the specific decision in front of you." CMS Medicare Part D Drug Spending data captures the raw data; the framing depends on whether the question is investment, residency, planning, or research.
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending, 2026.