- soolantra
Why Is Soolantra So Expensive?
- By Mark
If you have rosacea and your doctor recommended Soolantra cream, you may have been shocked by the price. A single tube can cost $500 to $800 or more in the United States, while the same cream costs much less in other countries.
So, why is Soolantra so expensive in the U.S.? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is Soolantra?
Soolantra is a prescription cream used to treat rosacea—a common skin condition that causes redness, bumps, and irritation on the face.
It contains 1% ivermectin, a medicine that fights both inflammation and tiny mites (called Demodex mites) that may worsen rosacea.
Soolantra is made by a company called Galderma and was approved by the FDA in 2014.
1. It Works Really Well
One reason Soolantra is expensive is because it works better than many other rosacea treatments.
In clinical studies:
- 38–40% of patients who used Soolantra looked “clear or almost clear” after 12 weeks.
- That’s much better than the 12–19% who used a plain cream without medicine.
- It worked better than older treatments like metronidazole cream.
- Some people saw improvements in just 2 weeks.
Because of this strong performance, Soolantra is considered a premium product.
2. High Research and Development (R&D) Costs
Drug companies often say high prices help pay for:
- Years of research and testing
- Clinical trials to prove the product is safe and effective
- Failed drug projects that didn’t make it to market
Even though ivermectin has been around for a long time, Galderma spent millions of dollars to:
- Develop a version that works on rosacea
- Get FDA approval
Drug development is long and costly. It can take 10 years or more and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
3. Patent Protection = No Competition
Even though ivermectin is an old medicine, Galderma owns patents that protect how it’s used in Soolantra until 2034.
That means no other company can make a copy until the patents expire—unless they win a lawsuit.
Some companies tried to make generics early, but Galderma sued them. This slowed down competition.
With no competition, Galderma can keep prices high.
4. The U.S. Healthcare System
Soolantra is especially expensive in the United States, but much cheaper elsewhere.
Here’s a price comparison:
| Country | Price per Gram (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | $16.02 |
| Canada | $5.00 |
| United Kingdom | $1.05 |
| Germany | $1.47 |
| France | $1.27 |
In many countries, the government negotiates drug prices. In the U.S., drug companies can set their own prices.
5. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
PBMs are middlemen between drug companies, insurance plans, and pharmacies. Big PBMs include:
- CVS Caremark
- Express Scripts
- OptumRx
PBMs make deals with drug makers and get rebates for promoting certain drugs. The bigger the list price, the bigger the rebate.
This gives drug companies a reason to inflate prices—even if the real cost is much lower.
Patients without good insurance end up paying the full inflated price.
6. Marketing and Advertising
Galderma spends a lot of money on:
- TV and online ads
- Doctor education
- Sales reps
These costs are included in the price of the drug. In 2023, Soolantra made over $500 million worldwide.
7. Insurance Rules Make Access Hard
Even if you have insurance, getting Soolantra might not be simple.
Most insurance plans:
- Put it on a high copay tier
- Require prior authorization (your doctor must prove it’s necessary)
- Use step therapy, where you must try cheaper treatments first
These rules delay access and frustrate patients.
8. How to Save Money on Soolantra
a. Use the Generic Version
Generic ivermectin 1% cream is now available. It works the same and is much cheaper.
One 30g tube may cost:
- $75–$100 (generic)
- vs. $400+ (brand-name Soolantra).
b. Buy from Overseas
Some online pharmacies based outside the U.S. offer different versions of Soolantra at a much lower price. For example, Soolantra.net provides Russian versions of ivermectin 1% cream that can be shipped to many countries.
Buying from trusted overseas sources can offer significant savings, especially if you’re uninsured or paying cash.
9. Are There Cheaper Alternatives?
Yes, there are good treatments that cost much less:
| Medication | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metronidazole 0.75% Cream | $30–$60 | Older option, works for many people |
| Azelaic Acid 15% Gel | $30–$60 | Common, mild side effects |
| Doxycycline (low dose) | $10–$35 | Oral antibiotic, works differently |
Talk to your doctor about trying one of these if Soolantra is too expensive.
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