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The Cost of Doing Business in the US We all know that US pharmaceuticals are much more expensive than foreign brands. However, it seems that the gap has broadened, particularly on the “must have ones”. I take 2 necessary medications. They have always been expensive but when I got my prescriptions filled for the first time this year my co-pay was a bit lower. However, the actual cost of the medication has increased significantly. For people on Medicare, even those with supplements, it means reaching the doughnut hole sooner. In the past I routinely purchased one medication from a foreign pharmacy because the cost for the entire prescription was less than my co-pay here. This time I needed a refill immediately so purchased from a local pharmacy. The other medication is now available in generic here but the generic, from the same pharmaceutical company that I have been getting from the foreign pharmacy, but costs 4 times as much here. My co-pay is much less this year because it is a generic but at the cost the insurance claims to pay I would be over my limit before the end of the year. I did the math. Guess who will not be purchasing meds from the US pharmacy and saving my “medication allowance” for things I need right away. I have 2 prescriptions that are helpful and what I call my “comfort” meds but certainly not essential. They are considered “controlled substances” because they can be abused. These are amazingly cheap here. Under $20 for a 3 month supply, less than my copay and since they are not something I need all of the time a refill usually lasts me at least 6 months. Many will raise “but they are not safe” argument. Yet another example of our American arrogance. Just look at all of the FDA approved medications that are later taken off the market due to problems and all of the situations of contamination and counterfeit meds we have here in the US. Does anyone really believe that a government agency is capable of “keeping us safe”? Most of the meds from foreign countries are actually made by the exact same companies who sell them here for much higher price – Information personally confirmed by someone who works for one of the major drug companies. Add to this the fact that statically many other countries actually have better health care performance outcomes. Because it is a popular thing to do many will simply cry “Obama care” but I suspect that pharmaceutical and insurance company profits are the real reason. Ironically we appear to be creating a situation that makes it easy and inexpensive to become a prescription drug addict and difficult to get the newer and more effective versions of medications that are necessary. How many people will end up not getting the medications they need because they can’t afford them and / or lack the resources to shop around outside of the US? Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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I very occasionally have attacks of gout, the drug I need to combat this has no Generic version, so I had to pay a high price for it. Example: I have to take three pills a day when I have the attacks, and thirty pills (a 10 day supply) were costing me $220. Luckily, I have a very good doctor and he put me in touch with a compounding pharmacy in a nearby town, they compound the drug I need in a I mg lower dose than the generic, so they are not breaking any rules governing generics, and they only charge me $10 for the same thirty pills. What a blessing! Alfie...
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I'm supposed to be on an enhaler for asthma but it doesn't have generic. I'm also supposed to take medication for Ulcerative Colitis. I can't afford that either. My doctor wants me to go additional tests. Why bother getting more tests and making that higher copay and then being unable to pay for the drugs they want to prescribe. I do what I can to keep my health in check and thats all I can do. Just the copays for doctors as well as prescription drugs would bankrupt me. Bruja The wealth of a soul is measured by how much it can feel; its poverty by how little. W. R. Inge
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1/29/2014 6:06 pm |
I very occasionally have attacks of gout, the drug I need to combat this has no Generic version, so I had to pay a high price for it. Example: I have to take three pills a day when I have the attacks, and thirty pills (a 10 day supply) were costing me $220. Luckily, I have a very good doctor and he put me in touch with a compounding pharmacy in a nearby town, they compound the drug I need in a I mg lower dose than the generic, so they are not breaking any rules governing generics, and they only charge me $10 for the same thirty pills. What a blessing! Alfie... Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/29/2014 6:08 pm |
I think we are all suffering the same problem with our medications, Spirit. One that my doctor has put me on, as the usual was not working is costing me almost $200. There is a generic, but even that is expensive as it is not on my plan's formulary list. I would love to go outside the US to get the pills, but not sure how to do it. It is a med I will have to take for the rest of my life and that is a huge chunk out of my budget. Means I have to cut down elsewhere. It has been this way for a long time, not just since Obama care. Before, until I turned 65, I had no insurance, as it was too expensive for me, over half my income. And now that I have the insurance, the meds are still too expensive. Our healthcare system is broken and has been for a long time. I would appreciate any help given to find a foreign pharmacy source. Thanks Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/29/2014 6:10 pm |
I obtain some of my medications from Canada. The cost is markedly lower than US pharmacies. The Canadian pharmacy ships to the US without any problem. Typical costs are 33-50% less than U.S. Some people I know obtain medicines from Mexico. They, however, must travel across the border. That precludes people like me from buying there. Mexican drug prices are typically 50-66% lower than U.S. or so my friends tell me. Some of the problem with current prescription drug costs began with the implementation of Medicare D. This prevented negotiated prices as different from the V.A. which negotiates drug prices. Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/29/2014 6:11 pm |
That means you don't have any unusual reactions or serious health issues. Whatever you are doing to stay this way keep it up. Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/29/2014 8:51 pm |
I'm supposed to be on an enhaler for asthma but it doesn't have generic. I'm also supposed to take medication for Ulcerative Colitis. I can't afford that either. My doctor wants me to go additional tests. Why bother getting more tests and making that higher copay and then being unable to pay for the drugs they want to prescribe. I do what I can to keep my health in check and thats all I can do. Just the copays for doctors as well as prescription drugs would bankrupt me. Bruja As I recall you live in Arizona or New Mexico. If you're close enough try some of the pharmacies in Mexico. My in-laws used to go to San Luis regularly from New Mexico. In fact their local senior center sponsored a bus trip there once a month for a medication run. Spiritwoman ^i^
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I know several American physicians who buy their own meds from online Canadian companies. I've never understood the system that causes our neighbors to the south to do this.
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1/29/2014 11:42 pm |
I know several American physicians who buy their own meds from online Canadian companies. I've never understood the system that causes our neighbors to the south to do this. Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/30/2014 10:09 am |
Mail order never worked well for me either and unfortunately the two meds I really need and the ones Chuck really needs aren't any cheaper through the mail order pharmacy our insurance uses. Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/30/2014 10:14 am |
I have no doubt that the "government regulation" protects big business and profit. The FDA is like most government programs - initiated with good intent but then corrupted by payoffs, profit and politics. I see it as a reminder that the "dark side"of being human is always present and we fool ourselves by believing it can be controlled by laws and regulations. Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/30/2014 10:16 am |
The price negotiation thing also works for doctors and treatment facilities. Most will lower their price up to 50% for people who pay cash. Doesn't say much for our insurance system, does it? Spiritwoman ^i^
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1/30/2014 10:19 am |
You are welcome. Unfortunately this is a reality most of us are or will be faced with unless our system changes drastically. Spiritwoman ^i^
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