An effective eye drug is available for $50. But many doctors choose a $2,000 alternative

Washington Post ^ | 12/7/13 | Peter Whoriskey, Dan Keating

[Veto!]

The two drugs have been declared equivalently miraculous. Tested side by side in six major trials, both prevent blindness in a common old-age affliction. Biologically, they are cousins. They’re even made by the same company...

[Veto!]

the more expensive drug, Lucentis, costs Medicare $1 billion each year.

I'm quite sure this is only one example of "clever" ways BigPharma is sticking it to the taxpayers

The article is fascinating, good on WaPo for taking up the topic; you'll enjoy the comments too.

[steve86]

Thanks for the post.

[goodwithagun]

Wonder whose campaign pockets they lined?

[Veto!]

There’s so much corruption in WA, it almost doesn’t matter.

A better question might be, who didn’t take bribes from them?

[1rudeboy]

Doctors, meanwhile, may benefit when they choose the more expensive drug. Under Medicare repayment rules for drugs given by physicians, they are reimbursed for the average price of the drug plus 6 percent.

Who could have predicted this would happen? Seriously, who?

[Excellence]

For later.

[Drew68]

I'm quite sure this is only one example of "clever" ways BigPharma is sticking it to the taxpayers

A friend of mine is a virologist. I joking asked him if he's cured any diseases lately. He tells me that drug companies aren't in the business of curing diseases. They're in the business of treating them.

[Veto!]

who indeed, 1rudeboy.

Want another look at expensive drugs? A woman on Medicare in my neighborhood gets $6,000 worth of Provigil per month from the pharmacy. She then goes to a shady pharmacy and sells it for $1800 cash. I reported it to the police. They shrugged.

Maybe I should have called DEA? Or?

[Sparticus]

who indeed, 1rudeboy. Want another look at expensive drugs? A woman on Medicare in my neighborhood gets $6,000 worth of Provigil per month from the pharmacy. She then goes to a shady pharmacy and sells it for $1800 cash. I reported it to the police. They shrugged. Maybe I should have called DEA? Or?

Where do I report errors, fraud, or abuse?

To report suspected errors, fraud, or abuse, you can contact either:

HHS Office of Inspector General
Call: 800-447-8477
TTY: 800-377-4950
Online: Report Fraud Online
Mail: HHS Tips Hotline
P.O. Box 23489
Washington, DC 20026-3489

Or

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Call: 800-633-4227
TTY: 877-486-2048
Mail: Medicare Beneficiary Contact Center
P.O. Box 39
Lawrence, KS 66044

[Hardraade]

After Europe more or less banned aspirin (rationed it down to customers being allowed to buy a few tablets per day), the prices went from what you’re used to paying in the us to around $6 per 24.

The healthcare industry is intent on milking you. To death.

[fella]

The healthcare industry{now being run by lawyers} is intent on milking you. To death.

Fixed it for ya.

[livius]

If Europe banned aspirin, it sounds more to me like it’s the fault of the EU for making a cheap common medication scarce and economically unfeasible. Drug companies aren’t charities.

[VRW Conspirator]

They're in the business of treating them.

Been saying this and seeing this for years. A cure is essentially a one time cash payment. A prescription for treatment represents a continuous cash flow. And after your liver is destroyed by this prescription, they will have a prescription for that, too.

[Hardraade]

True, but this is a symbiotic and deadly relationship between the regulators and the drug companies. I’m currently using a legal loophole, which allows me to have three months supplies sent from the US.

[seowulf]

There’s so much corruption in WA, it almost doesn’t matter.

I think you mean DC, but it's true that WA is no better.

[nothingnew]

I'll take hydrocodone every time. Enough of that and I don't care if I can see or not....

FMCDH(BITS)

[Paladin2]

"Where do I report errors, fraud, or abuse?"

Who's taking complaints against Bammy, Reid, Pelosi, McConnell and McCain for same.

[corkoman]

A friend of mine is a virologist. I joking asked him if he's cured any diseases lately. He tells me that drug companies aren't in the business of curing diseases. They're in the business of treating them.

Your "virologist" has feathers and webbed feet. There are three companies that have invested several billions to develop treatments for Hepatitis C - for most patients a three month course of oral meds will mean elimination of the virus and a clinical cure.

Give that quacker a cracker, he knows not of which he speaks.

[Moltke]

After Europe more or less banned aspirin (rationed it down to customers being allowed to buy a few tablets per day)

Huh? Got a source for that amazing statement?

[Hardraade]

Well, of course. The rules for aspirin are widely available, they are more or less the same for all of the EU. When Obama manages to fully transform the US, they’ll probably be the same over there. 24 tablets can be bought per day, and a system of enforcement.

As is, I get Mesta to buy my quarterly chunks of stuff at walmart and send to me - it has to be sent as a gift, American vendors cannot sell to EU past their regulations.

This is my earlier clash with the goons when I really needed painkillers:

http://junipersec.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/dealings-with-nanny-state/