The cost of duloxetine is considerably higher in the United States than in other industrialized countries, according to a report from the International Federation of Health Plans.
The average price for a 1-month supply of duloxetine (Cymbalta) was $176 in the United States, which is 56% higher than in Canada ($113) and 274% higher than in France, where the cost was lowest at $47, the IFHP said. Duloxetine is used to treat depression, anxiety, and pain.
The IFHP consists of more than 80 companies in 25 countries. For the survey, the price of duloxetine for each country was submitted by participating member plans. Some prices are drawn from the public sector, some from the private, and some from both. Estimates for the United States are aggregates based on over 100 million claims paid by multiple health plans.