Galliprant is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. It was approved by the FDA in 2016 and has quickly become a popular treatment option prescribed by veterinarians.
However, Galliprant is also one of the most expensive vet medicines on the market, often costing hundreds of dollars for a month’s supply.
Reasons For Galliprant Being So Expensive
There are several key reasons why Galliprant comes with such a high price tag. Here is a list of them:
- Patented Medication
- Targeted Development for Dogs
- Novel Mechanism of Action
- Lack of Competition
- Convenience and Compliance
- Targeted Veterinary Dispensing
- Value-Based Pricing Strategy
- Brand Trust and Loyalty
- Higher Development Costs
- Pet Insurance Reimbursement
- Higher Profit Margins
Let’s talk about these problems in detail.
- Patented Medication
Galliprant is manufactured by Elanco Animal Health and sold under the brand name Galliprant.
As a new, patented medication, Elanco has exclusive rights to produce and market Galliprant without any generic competition.
There is no generic version available for Galliprant, which allows Elanco to set prices for their name-brand medication without being undercut by cheaper alternatives.
This patent-protected exclusivity is a major factor contributing to Galliprant’s high costs.
- Targeted Development for Dogs
Unlike many other NSAIDs which were originally developed for humans, Galliprant was specifically designed for canine use. The research and development costs spent creating a novel drug for dogs were significant.
Elanco needed to conduct extensive clinical trials and gain FDA approval specifically for dogs. These investments allowed the development of a targeted treatment for canine osteoarthritis pain and inflammation, but also resulted in high initial costs that are passed onto consumers through Galliprant’s pricing.
- Novel Mechanism of Action
Galliprant has a unique mechanism of action compared to other NSAIDs like carprofen and meloxicam. It helps manage pain through selective inhibition of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP4.
This novel method provides effective pain relief while reducing common NSAID side effects like gastrointestinal issues.
However, this proprietary receptor-targeting technology required substantial R&D expenditures to discover, test, and patent. These novel drug development costs are reflected in the expensive pricing of Galliprant.
- Lack of Competition
As a patented, branded medication produced by Elanco, Galliprant currently faces no direct competition from other drug manufacturers. The lack of competition allows Elanco to charge higher prices without concern about losing market share.
Once the patent expires after several years, cheaper generic versions can enter the market. But in the meantime, pet owners have little choice but to pay higher costs for the convenient chewable tablet trademarked as Galliprant.
- Convenience and Compliance
Galliprant comes in an appealing beef-flavored chewable tablet that is easier to administer than many liquid NSAIDs.
This convenient dosage form improves compliance among dogs who readily consume the chewable tabs.
The production of these palatable beef-flavored tablets adds to manufacturing costs compared to cheaper generic NSAID solutions.
Elanco incorporates the benefits of better compliance and convenience into Galliprant’s premium pricing.
- Targeted Veterinary Dispensing
Galliprant is not available over-the-counter and can only be obtained through prescription and dispensing from a licensed veterinarian. Keeping distribution restricted to vet clinics allows Elanco to control pricing and terms through an exclusive channel.
Unlike human medications sold in pharmacies and stores, pet owners cannot price shop for cheaper sources of prescribed Galliprant. This limited distribution network enables higher pricing control.
- Value-Based Pricing Strategy
Pharmaceutical drug pricing often depends on perceived value rather than just manufacturing costs. Elanco employs a value-based pricing approach for Galliprant based on its clinical effectiveness for osteoarthritis pain relief compared to other options.
Even with minimal competition, Elanco can charge higher prices in line with Galliprant’s superior value proposition for improving mobility and quality of life. Pet owners are often willing to pay more for medications that clearly resolve arthritis pain when cheaper NSAIDs have not worked as well.
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- Brand Trust and Loyalty
Elanco Animal Health benefits from strong brand recognition and trust earned through their other veterinary medicines like Trifexis and Comfortis. The familiar Elanco name carries an implicit premium promise of quality and efficacy that customers associate with higher prices.
Long-time Elanco customers tend to be less price sensitive and more brand loyal. They are often willing to pay higher costs for new Elanco-branded products like Galliprant.
- Higher Development Costs
The overall development costs to discover, research, test, and gain regulatory approval for a novel veterinary drug like Galliprant are estimated between $100-$200 million. These extremely high upfront R&D investments must ultimately be recouped through pricing once the drug comes to market.
Elanco spent heavily over 10+ years to develop Galliprant and must charge appropriately high prices to eventually break even and gain a return on investment. Those sizable development costs are directly passed on to consumers through Galliprant’s expensive pricing.
- Pet Insurance Reimbursement
Many pet owners who purchase Galliprant have pet insurance plans that provide prescription drug reimbursement. With insurance coverage, pet owners become less price sensitive and willing to pay markups for medications like Galliprant.
Insurance claim reimbursements also justify the higher pricing since pet owners do not always directly foot the bill out-of-pocket. Galliprant’s costs are made even higher knowing they will be routinely reimbursed by pet insurance providers.
- Higher Profit Margins
As a specialized animal health pharmaceutical company, Elanco likely targets higher profit margins for their veterinary medicines compared to human drug companies. Pet medications can earn outsized profit margins in a market segment with historically lower regulation and less public scrutiny over pricing tactics.
Those juicier profit goals contribute to the steep pricing set for innovative drugs like Galliprant that currently lack competition from generics. Elanco is likely applying larger margins and markups with Galliprant’s pricing based on what the market will bear.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, other NSAID medications like Rimadyl, Metacam, and meloxicam are cheaper alternatives commonly prescribed for dogs with osteoarthritis. However, they may cause more side effects or be less effective in some patients. Talk to your vet about lower cost options that may work for your dog.
There is currently no generic version of Galliprant available since Elanco has an active patent. Once the patent expires in the next several years, generic drug companies can produce cheaper versions.
There is no direct human equivalent since Galliprant was uniquely developed for dogs. It works differently than common human NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. The most closely related human NSAID would be Celebrex (celecoxib) which selectively inhibits COX-2.
For many dogs with osteoarthritis pain not adequately controlled by other medications, Galliprant can provide significant improvements in mobility and quality of life. However, it may not be worth the high cost for mild cases or when other more affordable treatment options have not been fully tried. Discuss if Galliprant is justified with your veterinarian.
Wrapping Up
In the end, Galliprant’s high costs can be attributed to the value, benefits, and novelty of the medication along with Elanco’s marketplace exclusivity and pricing power.
Until cheaper generic competitors arrive after patent expiration, Galliprant will likely remain one of the most expensive prescription medications in veterinary medicine based on a combination of justifiable and potentially excessive pricing factors.
