Why Creon Cost Conversations Matter

As a prescriber, you already know that Creon (Pancrelipase) is the gold standard for treating exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). What your patients may not tell you — until they stop filling their prescriptions — is that they can't afford it.

With retail cash prices ranging from $700 to $1,500 per month and no FDA-approved generic available, Creon is one of the more expensive chronic medications your EPI patients will take. Even with insurance, copays can be $30 to $100 or more per month, and prior authorization requirements add administrative burden for both your practice and your patients.

This guide outlines actionable strategies to help your patients access Creon affordably — and stay on therapy.

What Your Patients Are Actually Paying

Understanding the cost landscape helps you anticipate patient barriers:

• Cash price (uninsured): $700–$1,500/month depending on strength and quantity
• Commercially insured: Typically $30–$100/month copay; Creon is often on Tier 3 or specialty tier
• Medicare Part D: Coverage varies by plan; patients may face significant out-of-pocket costs in the coverage gap (donut hole)
• Medicaid: Generally covered with low or no copay, but formulary restrictions may apply

Patients in the coverage gap or those with high-deductible plans are at highest risk for non-adherence due to cost. Studies consistently show that medication cost is a leading reason patients with EPI reduce or discontinue enzyme replacement therapy.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

AbbVie Creon Savings Card

AbbVie offers a copay savings card for commercially insured patients:

• Eligible patients may pay as little as $0 per prescription
• Annual maximum benefit applies (amount varies; check current terms at creon.com)
• Not valid for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or other government-funded programs
• Patient can enroll online or through your office

This is often the single most impactful intervention you can offer commercially insured patients. Consider having enrollment materials available in your practice.

AbbVie Patient Assistance Foundation (PAF)

For uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income guidelines:

• Provides Creon at no cost
• Income threshold typically below 600% of the federal poverty level
• Application available at abbviepaf.org or by calling 1-800-222-6885
• Requires prescriber signature on the application
• Annual renewal required

If your practice sees a significant volume of EPI patients, designating a staff member to help with PAF applications can dramatically improve access.

Copay Cards and Discount Programs

Beyond the manufacturer's own savings card, several third-party discount programs can help reduce Creon costs:

• SingleCare, GoodRx, and RxSaver — These free discount card programs negotiate lower prices at participating pharmacies. They're most useful for uninsured or underinsured patients who don't qualify for the PAF.
• Pharmacy-specific programs — Some pharmacy chains offer their own discount programs that may apply to Creon.
• Specialty pharmacy negotiations — If your patient fills through a specialty pharmacy, the pharmacy may be able to negotiate better pricing with the plan or apply copay assistance automatically.

For a comprehensive list of patient-facing savings resources, see How to Save Money on Creon.

Are There Generic or Lower-Cost Alternatives?

There is no FDA-approved generic for Creon. All pancrelipase products on the market are branded:

• Zenpep (Organon) — Similar PERT with comparable efficacy; may have different formulary placement
• Pancreaze (Vivus/Johnson & Johnson) — Another delayed-release option
• Pertzye (Chiesi) — Contains bicarbonate in addition to enzymes
• Viokace (Bausch Health) — Non-enteric-coated; used with a PPI for chronic pancreatitis or pancreatectomy only

If a patient's insurance plan covers one PERT product more favorably than another, switching may be a practical cost-reduction strategy. All FDA-approved pancrelipase products have comparable efficacy, though formulation differences may matter for individual patients. For more detail, see Alternatives to Creon.

When switching, educate patients that doses are measured in lipase units and are not directly interchangeable capsule-for-capsule between brands. Dose verification is essential.

Having Cost Conversations with Patients

Many patients won't bring up cost concerns unprompted. Proactive, non-judgmental conversations can prevent treatment discontinuation:

• Screen for cost barriers — Ask directly: "Are you having any difficulty affording your Creon?" or "Has cost ever caused you to skip doses?"
• Normalize the conversation — Let patients know that Creon is expensive and that many patients need help affording it. This reduces stigma.
• Provide resources proactively — Don't wait for patients to ask. Include savings card information in your prescribing workflow.
• Follow up on adherence — If a patient's symptoms are worsening despite appropriate dosing, consider whether cost-related non-adherence may be a factor.
• Document prior authorization efficiently — Many insurance plans require PA for Creon. Having a streamlined PA process (with diagnosis codes, fecal elastase results, and clinical notes ready) reduces delays and patient frustration.

Availability Considerations

Cost isn't the only access barrier. Creon has experienced intermittent supply constraints, particularly for the 12,000 and 24,000 unit strengths. When prescribing:

• Consider specifying "dispense as written" only when clinically necessary — allowing brand substitution within the PERT class can improve fill rates
• Direct patients to MedFinder for Providers to help locate pharmacies with Creon in stock
• For more strategies on helping patients find Creon, see How to Help Your Patients Find Creon in Stock

Final Thoughts

EPI is a chronic condition that requires lifelong enzyme replacement therapy. When patients can't afford Creon, they reduce doses, skip meals, or stop treatment entirely — leading to malnutrition, weight loss, and worsening outcomes. By integrating cost conversations and savings program enrollment into your prescribing workflow, you can help more patients stay on therapy and achieve better digestive health.

For tools to help your patients locate Creon and other hard-to-find medications, visit MedFinder for Providers.