Every year, millions of Americans face the challenges of managing mental health conditions. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 19.1% of adults were diagnosed with mental illness in 2018, including 4.6% of patients living with severe mental-health disorders. This represents over 46.7 million individuals annually, with more than 11.4 million continuing to experience severe symptoms.
For many, addressing these conditions involves taking prescription medications that can significantly improve quality of life. However, the costs can be overwhelming. A prime example is Abilify, a widely prescribed medication with retail prices ranging from $550 to $900 per month in the United States. Even the generic version, aripiprazole, remains expensive. The US price for Abilify highlights a growing concern about affordability. Many individuals are now exploring more cost-effective options from Canada, where medications like Abilify from Canada are available at a fraction of the cost.
A Brief History of Abilify
Abilify was developed by Japanese scientists at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. and released in 2002 to treat schizophrenia. It was later approved for bipolar disorder and, by 2007, for major depressive disorder. The drug remains a common treatment for these conditions in adults, as well as for children aged 6–17 with Tourette’s syndrome or severe autism-related agitation.
Despite its long history, Abilify continues to be one of the most profitable antipsychotic drugs on the market. In 2013–2014 alone, it grossed $7.2 billion in sales. Yet, after all these years, it remains one of the most expensive medications in its class.
Why Is Abilify So Expensive?
Abilify’s high cost stems from several systemic issues within the pharmaceutical industry. These include:
- Price fixing: Pharmaceutical companies often collaborate to maintain high prices. While direct evidence of this practice involving Abilify is limited, investigations into generic drug price manipulation suggest similar practices might affect brand-name drugs.
- Delayed competition: Generic drug policies in the U.S. sometimes incentivize companies to delay production of lower-cost alternatives. Even though aripiprazole is available, the lack of competition keeps prices high. The Abilify price from Canada, on the other hand, tends to be much lower due to more competitive pricing structures.
- Spread pricing: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) act as intermediaries, profiting from the price differences between what insurers pay and what pharmacies receive. This practice inflates costs for consumers.
- Advertising: The U.S. is one of the few countries allowing direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, with billions spent annually on TV commercials alone. These marketing costs are passed on to consumers.
The Role of Generic Drugs and Competition
Typically, generic drugs reduce prices once patents on brand-name medications expire. However, aripiprazole—the generic version of Abilify—has not followed this trend. In the U.S., it still averages around $700 per month. Comparatively, Abilify from Canada is a cost-effective option, often priced significantly lower.
Abilify and Mental Health
Abilify’s popularity partly stems from its versatility. Initially designed for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it was later approved as an adjunctive therapy for major depression, vastly increasing its market. While these approvals have improved accessibility for some, the medication’s high cost has created barriers for others. The steep US price for Abilify highlights the ongoing issue of affordability in the mental health sector.
Abilify Isn’t the Only Expensive Drug
Abilify is far from alone in the category of expensive mental health medications. Similar drugs include:
- Trintellix: $410 for a 30-day supply.
- Fetzima: $392 for a 30-day supply.
- Viibryd: $290 for a 30-day supply.
- Latuda: $1,287 for a 30-day supply.
This trend underscores a systemic issue within the pharmaceutical industry, where life-changing medications remain out of reach for many due to cost.
A Cost-Effective Alternative
The high US price for Abilify has prompted many Americans to explore international options. Abilify from Canada provides a cost-effective solution for those seeking affordable access to this essential medication. Canadian pharmacies often offer competitive prices, making them an excellent alternative for individuals burdened by high drug costs in the U.S.
Better You Rx, a Canadian pharmacy-affiliated website, helps bridge this gap by offering affordable options for Abilify and other essential medications. By sourcing prescriptions from licensed international partners, it ensures safe, cost-effective solutions for patients.
Take Action Today
No one should have to choose between their health and their finances. Explore cost-effective options from Canada and discover how Better You Rx can help you access Abilify and other essential medications at an affordable price. Visit our website to learn more about how we make quality care accessible to everyone.
