How Much Does Contrave Cost in Canada?

Contrave can cost anywhere from $99 to over $400 per month, depending on your insurance coverage and where you live in Canada. Here’s what you can expect to pay for Contrave across different provinces and pharmacies, plus factors that might affect your final price.

Contrave cost breakdown in Canada

A month’s supply of Contrave in Canada typically ranges between $225.99 and $651.99, depending on where you purchase and the quantity you buy. 

• 120 tablets: Can be generally found from $350 to $400
• 112 tablets: Ranges from $320 to $360
• 240 tablets: Can go as high as $710 – $780

Some online pharmacies also offer discounts and competitive pricing with free shipping options. Pharmacies in Canada may charge additional dispensing fees of $10 to $15 per prescription.

Insurance can dramatically reduce what you pay out-of-pocket. With coverage, some patients pay as little as $67.52 for a 120-tablet supply, that’s savings of up to $270 per month.

Pricing of Contrave in different provinces

Provincial coverage for Contrave is a patchwork across Canada. The province you live in can mean the difference between paying full price and getting substantial coverage.

Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t offer specific provincial coverage for Contrave. You’ll rely entirely on private insurance or pay the full retail price yourself.

Prince Edward Island requires special authorization through their provincial drug program. You’ll need to meet specific criteria and get approval before accessing any subsidized pricing.

Nova Scotia provides coverage through the Diabetes Assistance Program for eligible residents. This program helps reduce costs if you qualify under their guidelines.

Quebec covers Contrave through Quebec’s RAMQ. Eligible patients typically pay co-pays up to 35% of the medication cost, with the provincial plan covering the rest.

Ontario includes Contrave under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program for qualifying residents, but it is not covered by OHIP. Coverage depends on meeting specific eligibility requirements and clinical criteria.

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia generally don’t provide provincial coverage for Contrave. You’ll depend on private insurance or pay full retail prices.

Without provincial coverage in western provinces, costs typically range from $200-$400 monthly. Private insurance plans in these regions may offer partial coverage depending on your specific policy terms.

Comparison of Contrave cost with other similar medications

Contrave costs significantly more than many alternative prescription medications available in Canada. The price difference becomes clear when you compare monthly expenses. It’s important to note that private drug plans across Canada are under financial pressure, with prescription drug costs rising significantly, sometimes over 40% in certain sectors, which can impact your overall costs.

Metformin, a commonly prescribed medication, typically costs between $10-$30 per month without insurance. That’s a substantial difference compared to Contrave’s $200-$400 monthly cost.

Other prescription alternatives also offer more affordable options:

• Generic medications: Often under $50 monthly
• Alternative prescriptions: Vary widely but generally less expensive
• Individual components: Naltrexone and bupropion are available separately as generics

The higher cost stems from Contrave’s brand-name status and unique formulation. The medication combines two active ingredients in a single tablet, which contributes to its premium pricing.

Generic versions of Contrave aren’t available in Canada yet. Patent protection prevents other manufacturers from producing lower-cost alternatives, keeping prices elevated compared to medications with generic competition.

Private insurance coverage and financial assistance for Contrave in Canada

Private insurance plans across Canada handle Contrave coverage differently. Your coverage depends on your specific insurance provider, policy terms, and the clinical reasons for the prescription.

Many extended health benefit plans provide partial coverage when prescribed for approved medical purposes. Coverage rates typically range from 50%-100% of the medication cost.

Coverage requirements and limitations

Most insurance plans require prior authorization before approving Contrave coverage. This process involves your healthcare provider submitting documentation to justify the prescription based on your medical history.

Key coverage considerations include:

• Medical necessity: Plans typically exclude coverage for cosmetic or elective purposes
• Employee benefits: Workplace insurance plans vary significantly in their formulary coverage
• Family coverage: Students and dependents face the same restrictions as the primary policyholder

Manufacturer assistance programs

The Contrave Experience Program offers financial support to eligible Canadian patients. This program provides a first-month supply at no cost for qualifying individuals who meet enrollment criteria.

Ongoing discounts through manufacturer programs can reduce monthly costs by $50-$100 for patients who qualify. These programs typically require annual re-enrollment and income verification.

Patient assistance programs often have income thresholds and other requirements. You usually can’t combine manufacturer discounts with insurance coverage, so you’ll need to choose the most cost-effective option.

How much can you expect to pay without insurance?

Paying for Contrave without insurance means facing the full retail price at Canadian pharmacies. Monthly costs typically range from $177-$445 depending on the pharmacy, quantity purchased and specific product formulation.

Cost variations across pharmacies

Shopping around different pharmacies can save you substantial money each month. Price differences of $100 or more exist between pharmacies for identical quantities.

For 112-tablet packages, prices may start at $320 and can reach up to $360 depending on the pharmacy. The per-tablet cost ranges across different suppliers.

Additional cost considerations

Several factors can affect your total monthly cost:

• Dispensing fees: Vary between pharmacies, with some charging $9.99 while others may charge more or less
• Delivery charges: Some pharmacies offer free shipping programs while others charge delivery fees
• New customer discounts: Select pharmacies provide up to 10% off with promotional codes
• Price matching: Some locations beat competitor prices by 25% of the difference

Larger quantity purchases often provide better value per tablet. A 336-tablet supply costs around $520.50, bringing the per-tablet price down to approximately $1.55 compared to $1.58 for smaller quantities.

Availability of generic Contrave options in Canada

No generic versions of Contrave exist in Canada currently. The medication remains under patent protection, which legally prevents other pharmaceutical companies from manufacturing equivalent versions at lower costs.

The manufacturer’s patent gives them exclusive rights to sell Contrave without competition. This legal shield typically holds for years after Health Canada’s initial green light.

Understanding patent timelines

Pharmaceutical patents in Canada generally provide 20 years of protection from the original filing date. However, the actual time a medication spends under patent protection after reaching the market varies depending on approval timelines.

Contrave’s patent status means Canadian patients currently face brand name pricing without alternatives. The combination of naltrexone and bupropion in Contrave’s specific formulation remains exclusively available from the original manufacturer.

Future availability prospects

Generic versions may become available once Contrave’s patent protection expires. The timeline depends on specific patent terms and any potential extensions granted by Canadian patent authorities.

When generic versions do become available, they’ll contain the same active ingredients in identical concentrations as the brand-name version. Health Canada requires generic medications to demonstrate bioequivalence to the original product before approval.

When generics finally hit the market, you can expect prices to drop by 50-80% as manufacturers compete for your business. Multiple manufacturers can then produce the medication, leading to lower costs across the market.

Getting Contrave prescribed in Canada

To get Contrave in Canada, you’ll need to talk with a doctor or nurse practitioner who’ll review your health history and decide if it’s right for you. The conversation typically takes 15-20 minutes.

Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners can prescribe Contrave at their discretion. The prescription process typically includes reviewing your health history, discussing treatment goals, and evaluating potential interactions with other medications.

Virtual care options

Virtual healthcare platforms provide convenient access to Canadian-licensed providers. Through platforms like Maple, you can connect with a healthcare provider within minutes to discuss prescription options that might be suitable for your needs.

Virtual consultations work similarly to in-person appointments. Providers can assess your situation, discuss treatment options, and provide prescriptions at their discretion if appropriate for your circumstances.

Prescription considerations

Healthcare providers consider several factors when evaluating prescription options:

• Medical history: Previous treatments and current health conditions
• Current medications: Potential interactions with existing prescriptions
• Treatment goals: Individual health objectives and expectations
• Lifestyle factors: Diet, exercise, and behavioural support options

Disclaimer: This content serves educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. All prescriptions are given at the provider’s discretion. Coverage details and policies can change; verify with official sources before making financial commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors affect Contrave pricing in Canada?

Your Contrave costs can vary by hundreds of dollars based on where you live, your insurance plan, and which pharmacy you choose. Provincial drug programs vary significantly, and private insurance plans have different formulary coverage policies.

Can you get Contrave covered by provincial health insurance in Canada?

Limited provincial coverage exists for Contrave. Quebec provides coverage through RAMQ, Ontario offers coverage through the ODB program for eligible residents, and Nova Scotia has coverage through specific assistance programs. Most other provinces don’t provide provincial coverage.

How much does Contrave cost per month in Canada without insurance?

Without insurance, Contrave typically costs $177-$445 per month, depending on the pharmacy and quantity purchased. A 112-tablet supply ranges from $177-$246, while 120-tablet supplies cost $338-$445 at different Canadian pharmacies. These figures could be from $350 to $780 depending on the pharmacy.

Are there generic alternatives to Contrave available in Canada?

No, generic versions of Contrave are currently available in Canada. The medication remains under patent protection, preventing other manufacturers from producing lower-cost alternatives. Generic options may become available once patent protection expires.