Repatha vs Vascepa
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Repatha
Evolocumab
Manufactured by Amgen
Vascepa
Icosapent Ethyl
Manufactured by Amarin
Vascepa costs 70% less per claim than Repatha ($229.00 vs $757.00). A generic version of Vascepa is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Repatha | Vascepa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $757.00 | $229.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $2.6B | $567.0M |
| Total Beneficiaries | 398,000 | 298,000 |
| Total Claims | 3,420,000 | 2,480,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $6,505.00 | $1,903.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | +24.6% | -12.4% |
| Generic Available | No | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Aug 27, 2029 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Amgen | Amarin |
| Condition | High Cholesterol | High Cholesterol |
| Generic Name | Evolocumab | Icosapent Ethyl |
Repatha vs Vascepa: What the Data Shows
Repatha (Evolocumab) and Vascepa (Icosapent Ethyl) are both used to treat high cholesterol. Based on Medicare Part D data, Vascepa costs $229.00 per claim, which is 70% less than Repatha at $757.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $2.6B on Repatha and $567.0M on Vascepa. In terms of patient reach, Repatha serves more beneficiaries (398,000 vs 298,000).
Year-over-year spending changed +24.6% for Repatha and -12.4% for Vascepa. Repatha saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Vascepa has a generic available, while Repatha remains brand-only until its patent expires Aug 27, 2029.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vascepa is cheaper at $229.00 per claim, compared to $757.00 for Repatha. That makes Vascepa about 70% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Repatha and Vascepa are used to treat high cholesterol. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Vascepa has a generic version (Icosapent Ethyl) available, which is typically much cheaper. Repatha is currently brand-only, with patent expiring Aug 27, 2029.
Medicare Part D spent $2.6B on Repatha covering 398,000 beneficiaries, and $567.0M on Vascepa covering 298,000 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.