No matter what type of health insurance your patients have, and even if they have none at all, there may be financial assistance options available.
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Use our financial assistance tool to see which programs may be right for your patient. If you would rather talk through some potential options, call us at 888-249-4918 (6AM-5PM PST, Monday through Friday).
If your patient has insurance coverage and needs help affording PERJETA, these programs may help:
Genentech Oncology Co-pay Assistance Program
With the Genentech Oncology Co-pay Assistance Program, eligible patients with commercial insurance could pay as little as $0 per treatment for PERJETA. Co-pay assistance of up to $25,000 is provided per calendar year.
Patients may be eligible if they:
- Are taking PERJETA for an FDA-approved use
- Are 18 years of age or older or have a Legally Authorized Person over the age of 18 to manage the program
- Have commercial (private or non-governmental) insurance. This includes plans available through state and federal health insurance exchanges
- Live and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. Territories
- Are not receiving assistance through the Genentech Patient Foundation or any other charitable organization for the same expenses covered by the program
- Do not use a state or federal healthcare plan to pay for your medication. This includes, but is not limited to, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE
The Co-pay Program (“Program”) is valid ONLY for patients with commercial (private or non-governmental) insurance who have a valid prescription for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indication of a Genentech medicine. Patients using Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal or state government program (collectively, “Government Programs”) to pay for their Genentech medicine are not eligible.
Under the Program, the patient may be required to pay a co-pay. The final amount owed by a patient may be as little as $0 for the Genentech medicine (see Program specific details available at the Program website). The total patient out-of-pocket cost is dependent on the patient’s health insurance plan. The Program assists with the cost of the Genentech medicine only. It does not assist with the cost of other medicines, procedures or office visit fees. After reaching the maximum annual Program benefit amount, the patient will be responsible for all remaining out-of-pocket expenses. The Program benefit amount cannot exceed the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the Genentech medicine.
All participants are responsible for reporting the receipt of all Program benefits as required by any insurer or by law. The Program is only valid in the United States and U.S. Territories, is void where prohibited by law and shall follow state restrictions in relation to AB-rated generic equivalents (e.g., MA, CA) where applicable. No party may seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received through the Program. The value of the Program is intended exclusively for the benefit of the patient. The funds made available through the Program may only be used to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for the patient enrolled in the Program. The Program is not intended for the benefit of third parties, including without limitation third party payers, pharmacy benefit managers, or their agents. If Genentech determines that a third party has implemented a program that adjusts patient cost-sharing obligations based on the availability of support under the Program and/or excludes the assistance provided under the Program from counting towards the patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket cost limitations, Genentech may impose a per fill cap on the cost-sharing assistance available under the Program. Submission of true and accurate information is a requirement for eligibility and Genentech reserves the right to disqualify patients who do not comply from Genentech programs. Genentech reserves the right to rescind, revoke or amend the Program without notice at any time.
Additional terms and conditions apply. Please visit the Co-pay Program website for the full list of Terms and Conditions.
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Commercial insurance: An insurance plan you get from a private health insurance company. This can be insurance from your job, from a plan you bought yourself or from a Health Insurance Marketplace. Medicare and Medicaid are not considered commercial insurance.
Independent Co-pay Assistance Foundations
An independent co-pay assistance foundation is a charitable organization providing financial assistance to patients with specific disease states, regardless of treatment. Patients who are commercially or publicly insured, including those covered by Medicare and Medicaid, can contact the foundations directly to request assistance. Eligibility requirements, all aspects of the application process, turnaround times and the type or amount of assistance available (if any) can vary by foundation.
These foundations may be able to help. Please check their websites for up-to-date information.
Advise your patient that these organizations are independent of Genentech and may require the patient to provide personal or financial information directly to the organization to enroll in their respective programs. Genentech cannot share any information the patient has provided to us.
Independent co-pay assistance foundations have their own rules for eligibility. We have no involvement or influence in independent foundation decision-making or eligibility criteria and do not know if a foundation will be able to help your patient. We can only refer your patient to a foundation that supports their disease state. This information is provided as a resource for you. We do not endorse or show preference for any particular foundation. The foundations in this list may not be the only ones that might be able to help your patient.
The financial assistance tool can help your patient to find out if this option may be right for them. Get started.
If your patient has financial difficulty or does not have insurance coverage and needs help affording PERJETA, this program may help:
Genentech Patient Foundation
The Genentech Patient Foundation gives free PERJETA to people who have been prescribed this medicine and don’t have insurance or that have financial concerns and meet certain eligibility criteria.
Your patient may be eligible if their insurance coverage and income match one of these situations:
- Uninsured patients with incomes under $150,000
- Insured patients without coverage for PERJETA with incomes under $150,000
- Insured patients with coverage for a Genentech medicine:
- With an out-of-pocket maximum set by their health insurance plan that exceeds 7.5% of their household income
- Who have pursued other forms of financial assistance
- With household size and income within certain guidelines
If you have any questions about the criteria or wish to discuss your options, please contact a Foundation Specialist at 888-941-3331 (Mon.–Fri., 6AM–5PM PST).
Not sure which programs may be able to help you? We'll walk you through some potential options with the financial assistance tool.
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Commercial insurance: An insurance plan you get from a private health insurance company. This can be insurance from your job, from a plan you bought yourself or from a Health Insurance. Medicare and Medicaid are not considered commercial insurance.
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Public insurance: A health insurance plan you get from the federal or state government. This includes Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and DoD/VA insurance.
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For example, a household size of 1 with income of less than $75,000 may meet the criteria for assistance. Add $25,000 for each additional person in the household. There is no maximum number of people you may add.
Terms and Conditions
The Co-pay Program (“Program”) is valid ONLY for patients with commercial (private or non-governmental) insurance who have a valid prescription for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indication of a Genentech medicine. Patients using Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), TRICARE or any other federal or state government program (collectively, “Government Programs”) to pay for their Genentech medicine are not eligible. The Program is not valid for Genentech medicines that are eligible to be reimbursed in their entirety by private insurance plans or other programs.
Under the Program, the patient may be required to pay a co-pay. The final amount owed by a patient may be as little as $0 for the Genentech medicine (see Program specific details available at the Program Website). The total patient out-of-pocket cost is dependent on the patient’s health insurance plan. The Program assists with the cost of the Genentech medicine only. It does not assist with the cost of other medicines, procedures or office visit fees. After reaching the maximum annual Program benefit amount, the patient will be responsible for all remaining out-of-pocket expenses. The Program benefit amount cannot exceed the patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for the Genentech medicine. The maximum Program benefit will reset every January 1st. The Program is not health insurance or a benefit plan. The patient’s non-governmental insurance is the primary payer. The Program does not obligate the use of any specific medicine or provider. Patients receiving assistance from charitable free medicine programs (such as the Genentech Patient Foundation) or any other charitable organizations for the same expenses covered by the Program are not eligible. The Program benefit cannot be combined with any other rebate, free trial or other offer for the Genentech medicine. No party may seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received through the Program.
The Program may be accepted by participating pharmacies, physicians’ offices or hospitals. Once a patient is enrolled, the Program will honor claims with a date of service that precedes the Program enrollment date up to 180 days. Claims must be submitted within 365 days from the date of service unless otherwise indicated. Use of the Program must be consistent with all relevant health insurance requirements. Participating patients, pharmacies, physicians’ offices and hospitals are responsible for reporting the receipt of all Program benefits as required by any insurer or by law. Programs’ benefits may not be sold, purchased, traded or offered for sale.
The patient or their guardian must be 18 years of age or older to receive Program assistance. The Program is only valid in the United States and U.S. Territories, is void where prohibited by law and shall follow state restrictions in relation to AB-rated generic equivalents (e.g., MA, CA) where applicable. Eligible patients will be automatically re-enrolled in the Program on an annual basis. Eligible patients will be removed from the Program after 3 years of inactivity (e.g., no claims submitted in a 3-year timeframe). Program eligibility and automatic re enrollment are contingent upon the patient’s ability to meet all requirements set forth by the Program. Healthcare providers may not advertise or otherwise use the Program as a means of promoting their services or Genentech medicines to patients.
The value of the Program is intended exclusively for the benefit of the patient. The funds made available through the Program may only be used to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for the patient enrolled in the Program. The Program is not intended for the benefit of third parties, including without limitation third party payers, pharmacy benefit managers, or their agents. If Genentech determines that a third party has implemented a program that adjusts patient cost-sharing obligations based on the availability of support under the Program and/or excludes the assistance provided under the Program from counting towards the patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket cost limitations, Genentech may impose a per fill cap on the cost-sharing assistance available under the Program. Submission of true and accurate information is a requirement for eligibility and Genentech reserves the right to disqualify patients who do not comply from Genentech programs. Genentech reserves the right to rescind, revoke or amend the Program without notice at any time.
Indications:
Early Breast Cancer
PERJETA® (pertuzumab) is indicated for use in combination with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy for
- the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced, inflammatory, or early stage breast cancer (either greater than 2 cm in diameter or node-positive) as part of a complete treatment regimen for early breast cancer (EBC)
- the adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence
Metastatic Breast Cancer
PERJETA® (pertuzumab) is indicated for use in combination with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
BOXED WARNINGS: Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
- PERJETA can result in subclinical and clinical cardiac failure manifesting as decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and congestive heart failure (CHF). Evaluate cardiac function prior to and during treatment. Discontinue PERJETA treatment for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function
- Exposure to PERJETA can result in embryo-fetal death and birth defects. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception
- Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animal studies, PERJETA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. PERJETA is a HER2/neu receptor antagonist. Cases of oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death have been reported with use of another HER2/neu receptor antagonist (trastuzumab) during pregnancy. In an animal reproduction study, administration of pertuzumab to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys during the period of organogenesis resulted in oligohydramnios, delayed fetal kidney development, and embryo-fetal death at exposures 2.5 to 20 times the exposure in humans at the recommended dose, based on Cmax
- Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of PERJETA. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential that exposure to PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab during pregnancy or within 7 months prior to conception can result in fetal harm, including embryo-fetal death or birth defects. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 months following the last dose of PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab
- There is a pregnancy pharmacovigilance program for PERJETA. If PERJETA is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving PERJETA or within 7 months following the last dose of PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab, healthcare providers and patients should immediately report PERJETA exposure to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555
Additional Important Safety Information
PERJETA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to pertuzumab or to any of its excipients
Left Ventricular Dysfunction (LVD)
- Assess LVEF prior to initiation of PERJETA and at regular intervals during treatment to ensure that LVEF is within normal limits. If LVEF declines and has not improved, or has declined further at the subsequent assessment, discontinuation of PERJETA and trastuzumab should be strongly considered
- In the CLEOPATRA study, for patients with MBC, PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel was not associated with increases in the incidence of symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) or decreases in LVEF compared to placebo in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel. LVD occurred in 4% of patients in the PERJETA-treated group and in 8% of patients in the placebo-treated group. Symptomatic LVSD (CHF) occurred in 1% of patients in the PERJETA-treated group and in 2% of patients in the placebo-treated group
- Patients who have received prior anthracyclines or prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF
- In the NeoSphere study, for patients treated in the neoadjuvant setting, the incidence of LVSD was higher in the PERJETA-treated groups compared to the trastuzumab and docetaxel–treated group. An increased incidence of LVEF declines was observed in patients treated with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel. In the overall treatment period, LVEF decline >10% and a drop to <50% occurred in 2% of patients treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel as compared to 8% of patients treated with neoadjuvant PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel. LVD occurred in 0.9% of patients treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab and docetaxel as compared to 3% of patients treated with neoadjuvant PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel. Symptomatic LVSD occurred in 0.9% of patients treated with neoadjuvant PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and in no patients in the other 3 arms. LVEF recovered to ≥50% in all patients
- In the TRYPHAENA study, for patients treated in the neoadjuvant setting, in the overall treatment period, LVEF decline ˃10% and a drop to <50% occurred in 7% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC), followed by PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel; in 16% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel following FEC; and in 11% of patients treated with PERJETA in combination with docetaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab (TCH). LVD occurred in 6% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and FEC, followed by PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel; in 4% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel following FEC; and in 3% of patients treated with PERJETA in combination with TCH. Symptomatic LVSD occurred in 4% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel following FEC, in 1% of patients treated with PERJETA in combination with TCH, and in none of the patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and FEC, followed by PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel. LVEF recovered to ≥50% in all but 1 patient
- In patients receiving neoadjuvant PERJETA in the BERENICE study, in the neoadjuvant period, LVEF decline ≥10% and a drop to <50% as measured by ECHO/MUGA assessment occurred in 7% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and paclitaxel following dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (ddAC), and in 2% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel following FEC. Ejection fraction decrease (asymptomatic LVD) occurred in 7% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and paclitaxel following ddAC and in 4% of the patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel following FEC in the neoadjuvant period. Symptomatic LVSD (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Class III/IV CHF) occurred in 2% of patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and paclitaxel following ddAC and in none of the patients treated with PERJETA plus trastuzumab and docetaxel following FEC in the neoadjuvant period
- In the APHINITY study, for patients treated in the adjuvant setting, the incidence of symptomatic heart failure (NYHA Class III/IV) with a LVEF decline ≥10% and a drop to <50% was <1% (0.6% of PERJETA-treated patients vs 0.2% of placebo-treated patients). Of the patients who experienced symptomatic heart failure, 47% of PERJETA-treated patients and 67% of placebo-treated patients had recovered (defined as 2 consecutive LVEF measurements above 50%) at the data cutoff. The majority of the events (86%) were reported in anthracycline-treated patients. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic (NYHA Class II) declines in LVEF ≥10% and a drop to <50% were reported in 3% of PERJETA-treated patients and 3% of placebo-treated patients, of whom 80% of PERJETA-treated patients and 81% of placebo-treated patients recovered at the data cutoff
Infusion-Related Reactions
- PERJETA has been associated with infusion reactions, including fatal events
- In the CLEOPATRA study, on the first day, when only PERJETA was administered, the overall frequency of infusion reactions was 13% in the PERJETA-treated group and 10% in the placebo-treated group. Less than 1% were Grade 3 or 4. The most common infusion reactions (≥1.0%) were pyrexia, chills, fatigue, headache, asthenia, hypersensitivity, and vomiting. During the second cycle, when all drugs were administered on the same day, the most common infusion reactions in the PERJETA-treated group (≥1.0%) were fatigue, dysgeusia, hypersensitivity, myalgia, and vomiting
- In the NeoSphere, TRYPHAENA, and APHINITY studies, PERJETA was administered on the same day as the other study treatment drugs. For APHINITY, infusion-related reactions occurred in 21% of patients on the first day of PERJETA administration (in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy) and in 18% of patients in the placebo arm. The incidence of Grades 3-4 National Cancer Institute–Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE v4.0) reactions was 1% for the PERJETA arm and 0.7% for the placebo arm
- Observe patients closely for 60 minutes after the first infusion and for 30 minutes after subsequent infusions of PERJETA. If a significant infusion reaction occurs, slow or interrupt the infusion and administer appropriate medical therapies. Monitor patients carefully until complete resolution of signs and symptoms. Consider permanent discontinuation in patients with severe infusion reactions
Hypersensitivity Reactions/Anaphylaxis
- In the CLEOPATRA study, the overall frequency of hypersensitivity reaction/anaphylaxis was 11% in the PERJETA-treated group and 9% in the placebo-treated group. The incidence of Grades 3-4 hypersensitivity reaction/anaphylaxis was 2% in the PERJETA-treated group and 3% in the placebo-treated group according to NCI-CTCAE v3.0. Overall, 4 patients in the PERJETA-treated group and 2 patients in the placebo-treated group experienced anaphylaxis
- In the NeoSphere, TRYPHAENA, BERENICE, and APHINITY studies, hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis events were consistent with those observed in CLEOPATRA. In NeoSphere, 2 patients in the PERJETA and docetaxel–treated group experienced anaphylaxis. In APHINITY, the overall frequency of hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis was 5% in the PERJETA-treated group vs 4% in the placebo-treated group. The incidence was highest in the PERJETA plus TCH–treated group (8%), of which 1% were NCI-CTCAE (v4.0) Grades 3-4
- Patients should be observed closely for hypersensitivity reactions. Severe hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis and fatal events, have been observed in patients treated with PERJETA. Angioedema has been described in post-marketing reports. Medications to treat such reactions, as well as emergency equipment, should be available for immediate use PERJETA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to pertuzumab or to any of its excipients
Most Common Adverse Reactions
Neoadjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel administered for 4 cycles were alopecia, neutropenia, diarrhea, and nausea. The most common NCI-CTCAE v3.0 Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, leukopenia, and diarrhea
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel administered for 3 cycles following 3 cycles of FEC were diarrhea, nausea, alopecia, neutropenia, vomiting, and fatigue. The most common NCI-CTCAE v3.0 Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were neutropenia, leukopenia, febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, left ventricular dysfunction, anemia, dyspnea, nausea, and vomiting
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) with PERJETA in combination with TCH administered for 6 cycles were diarrhea, alopecia, neutropenia, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. The most common NCI-CTCAE v3.0 Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, fatigue, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased, hypokalemia, and hypersensitivity
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and paclitaxel administered for 4 cycles following 4 cycles of ddAC were nausea, diarrhea, alopecia, fatigue, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, and headache. The most common Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, neutrophil count decreased, white blood cell count decreased, anemia, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, ALT increased, and nausea
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel administered for 4 cycles following 4 cycles of FEC were diarrhea, nausea, alopecia, asthenia, constipation, fatigue, mucosal inflammation, vomiting, myalgia, and anemia. The most common Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, neutropenia, neutrophil count decreased, stomatitis, fatigue, vomiting, mucosal inflammation, neutropenic sepsis, and anemia
Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy were diarrhea, nausea, alopecia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and vomiting. The most common Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, neutrophil count decreased, anemia, white blood cell count decreased, leukopenia, fatigue, nausea, and stomatitis
- The incidence of diarrhea, all Grades, was higher when chemotherapy was administered with targeted therapy (61% in the PERJETA-treated group vs 34% in the placebo-treated group) and was higher when administered with non–anthracycline-based therapy (85% in the PERJETA-treated group vs 62% in the placebo-treated group) than with anthracycline-based therapy (67% in the PERJETA-treated group vs 41% in the placebo-treated group). The incidence of diarrhea during the period that targeted therapy was administered without chemotherapy was 18% in the PERJETA-treated group vs 9% in the placebo-treated group. The median duration of all Grades diarrhea was 8 days for the PERJETA-treated group vs. 6 days for the placebo-treated group. The median duration of Grade ≥3 diarrhea was 20 days for the PERJETA-treated group vs. 8 days for the placebo-treated group. More patients required hospitalization for diarrhea as a serious adverse event in the PERJETA-treated group (2.4%) than in the placebo-treated group (0.7%)
Metastatic Breast Cancer
- The most common adverse reactions (>30%) seen with PERJETA in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel were diarrhea, alopecia, neutropenia, nausea, fatigue, rash, and peripheral neuropathy. The most common NCI-CTCAE v3.0 Grades 3-4 adverse reactions (>2%) were neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, leukopenia, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, asthenia, and fatigue
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555.
Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information, including BOXED WARNINGS.