Generic Eliquis (apixaban) is expected to become available in the United States on April 1, 2028. That date comes from patent settlements between the brand-name manufacturers and generic drugmakers, upheld by a federal appeals court. Until then, Eliquis remains under patent protection in the U.S., though generic versions are already sold in other countries.
Why April 2028 Is the Date
Eliquis is jointly marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer, and two key U.S. patents protect it: a composition of matter patent (covering the drug itself) and a formulation patent (covering how the tablet is made). Several generic manufacturers challenged these patents in court, but a U.S. District Court ruled in August 2020 that both patents were valid and infringed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld that decision.
As a result of that ruling, the earliest generic manufacturers can launch their apixaban products is April 1, 2028. This could shift only if further legal challenges succeed, but no pending case is likely to change the timeline at this point. The underlying patents don’t technically expire until November 2026 and February 2031, but the April 2028 date reflects the terms of settlements between the brand companies and generic applicants.
Generic Manufacturers Already Have Tentative FDA Approval
The FDA has already granted tentative approval to generic apixaban tablets from companies including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Tentative approval means the FDA has reviewed the generic product and confirmed it meets all safety, manufacturing, and bioequivalence standards, but the company cannot sell it yet because of patent protections. Once April 2028 arrives, these companies can receive final approval and begin shipping product quickly.
To earn approval, generic apixaban must demonstrate bioequivalence to brand-name Eliquis through a single-dose crossover study in healthy adults, measuring apixaban levels in the blood. If the generic performs within a tight statistical range of the brand product, the FDA considers it interchangeable. This is the same standard applied to all generic drugs, and it means the generic version will work the same way in your body as the brand.
What Generic Pricing Could Look Like
Brand-name Eliquis currently costs roughly $6.22 per tablet at U.S. retail, or about $348 for a typical 30-day supply of the 5 mg twice-daily dose. Generic drugs typically cost 80 to 85 percent less than their brand-name equivalents, according to pricing research from Johns Hopkins. If multiple generic manufacturers enter the market around the same time (which is likely, given that several already have tentative approval), competition could push prices down quickly.
For context, generic apixaban already sells in Canada for approximately $1.20 to $1.30 per tablet, and as low as $0.93 to $0.98 per tablet when purchased in larger quantities. U.S. generic pricing will depend on how many competitors launch and how insurers negotiate, but a dramatic price drop from current levels is virtually certain.
Generic Apixaban Is Already Available Internationally
If you’re wondering why you’ve seen generic apixaban advertised from Canadian pharmacies, it’s because U.S. patent protections don’t apply in every country. Generic apixaban is legally available now in Canada and several other international markets. Some U.S. patients with valid prescriptions do purchase from licensed Canadian pharmacies, where even brand-name Eliquis costs about $1.57 to $1.66 per tablet, a fraction of the U.S. price.
Importing prescription drugs from Canada exists in a legal gray area for individual U.S. consumers. The FDA generally does not approve of it but has historically exercised enforcement discretion for personal-use quantities.
Saving Money Until 2028
Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer offer a co-pay card program for commercially insured patients. With an activated card and a valid prescription, you may pay as little as $10 for a 30-day supply, or $10 for your first 90-day supply, then $30 for subsequent 90-day refills for up to 24 months. The program has an annual maximum benefit of $2,000.
There are important restrictions. You must have commercial insurance that doesn’t fully cover the cost. Patients on Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, or other government programs are not eligible. There is also a free 30-day trial offer for eligible patients starting the medication for the first time.
If you don’t qualify for manufacturer programs, ask your pharmacist about other options. Some pharmacy discount programs and state pharmaceutical assistance programs can reduce out-of-pocket costs, though rarely to the levels the co-pay card offers. Your prescriber may also be able to discuss alternative blood thinners that already have generic versions available, depending on your specific medical situation.