Prescriptions! Oh, the expense!!

[Mama Bird]

So I'm sure there are those of you out there that deal with this far more frequently than I do, and I must say - I feel for you!

Prescriptions are so stinkin' expensive!!!!! I don't get it!

We're a pretty healthy bunch in my family, so prescriptions are few and far between (other than my prenatal vitamins). Well, I have a mild infection, so my doctor called in a prescription for me. I picked it up today and it was like $80!!!! I about flipped! Then they processed my insurance thing and it was $60. Better, but still...! Come to find out, it's 5, yes F.I.V.E. pills. Each little pill cost me $12 and it would have cost me $16 if it weren't for the insurance. Each pill is like a quarter of what I spend on groceries a week. Yikes!

So I'm really and truly grateful that it should take care of this infection, but... For real! Does it really cost that much for them to make those little pills? It's just, I'm trying to save money and then this. Crazy... I'm definitely grateful that I can save money on groceries and such so that the cost of this RX doesn't bite quite as bad.

Okay, rant over. Thanks for listening.

[derketchup]

I don't know if it costs $16 to make each pill, but drug companies do spend a fair chunk on all the research and testing.

These companies are for profit, though...

[Mama Bird]

I don't know if it costs $16 to make each pill, but drug companies do spend a fair chunk on all the research and testing.

These companies are for profit, though...

Good point...I agree that it probably costs a bundle to do all of the researching, etc...

I just did a quick little research on this company... Net income (for year ending March 2006) was: $193.3 million - net, after taxes, paying the employees, etc, etc. My hubby did the math and he said that's about 2x the profit the big oil companies make. Crazy... (Of course, Microsoft is even worse...lol)

[latte]

60 for 5 pills?

thats not near as bad as how much maxaalt-10 was for me ...that was 180$ for 6 pills or 30 a pill

or the bellaspaz i should be taking @ 150$ for 30

(both can be used for severe migraines, bellaspaz is also used for people who get seisures, but for me its a PREVENTIVE, the maxaalt-10 was for the really really really bad ones)

niether one am i taking now yet i need the bellaspaz but we cant afford it, and my insurance wont cover any of it

[wookin]

Check with Publix, some of their antibiotics are FREE. This one however, sound too expensive for free but you never know. Also do a price check with Costco or Sams. Sometimes pharmacies will price match other stores.

[sati769leigh]

my 3 perscriptions cost about 1000 a month, if i did not have insurance i would be in the hospital ALL the time! its a nightmare to consider! oh wait, i just realized one went generic. so its about 600-750 a month

[shelleyf]

WOW 750 or so a month! That is highway robbery. But think of the good side. At least you can afford it. If not then it would be worse. I would definitely check into getting insurance, because I'm sure the insurance would be cheaper than what you are paying. God bless and I will pray that you get some relief.

[emotley]

WOW 750 or so a month! That is highway robbery. But think of the good side. At least you can afford it. If not then it would be worse. I would definitely check into getting insurance, because I'm sure the insurance would be cheaper than what you are paying. God bless and I will pray that you get some relief.

Not always.

My mother has insurance and has a perscription for an life saving inhaler. Her HMO told her that they would not cover it since they did not think it was medically necessary.

Tell that to the person who can not breathe.

I hate insurance companys..

[CTCMC]

I read that doctors are often oblivious to these costs, which contributes to the problem. They prescribe the newest, flashiest, expensive drug that the drug company rep brings by when a older, cheaper drug would do.

[druidessemily]

There is a very interesting article on Snopes about price differences of drugs. The markups are insane. Here's the link:

snopes.com: Generic Drugs

I'm not sure how well the chart would copy and paste, but it's on the bottom. Just an example: Zestril is marked up 2,809%.... Norvasc is marked up 134,493%! Those are insane markups, based on the price of ingredients, and the cost the consumer pays. That chart only has cost of ingredients, not the "cost" of R&D and other factors, but wow!

I can't think of anything else on the market that has such huge markups.