The Growing Turf War over Who Can Fill Prescriptions

Townhall.com ^ | June 8, 2014 | Devon Herrick

[catfish1957]

I am disgusted by one development. The drive by insurance companies to force people to get their meds via mail pisses me off to no end.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and now have no insurance. The drug prices have soared unbelievably. Can't even remotely "dream" of being able to afford the "biologics" (like Humira) and can hardly pay out of pocket for the old standards like azulfidine, plaquenil, methotrexate and (for rescue purposes) the occasional prednisone.

This is just a shout-out to anybody who has any good ideas. What the heck can I do?

[morphing libertarian]

Are there any trial research projects you can sign up for

[berdie]

I am curious as to why you feel this way.

I find it to be much cheaper and a lot more convenient than having to go to the pharmacy for refills.

Am I missing something?

[Jeff Chandler]

The pharmaceutical companies often have discount programs for hardship cases. Also, companies such as Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, etc. have programs which allow you to buy generics at reduced prices, sometimes as low as $4. There are also Mexican and Canadian companies which sell online.

Good luck.

[Mrs. Don-o]

All good ideas. I’ll check it out. Thanks!

[Shimmer1]

Why does this piss you off?

[Shimmer1]

God bless

[morphing libertarian]

I have seen lists on the internet, but maybe a doctor or specialist can let you know.

Another issue us proximity. Usually during a trial you have to go in once in a while for a review.

[NittanyLion]

Contact the companies that market the molecule(s) you need and explain your situation. They may provide the item at a discount or no cost.

[griswold3]

Try contacting the manufacturers directly and explain your situation. Many have programs for uninsured folk.

[Random Access]

I found Meloxicam to be better than Celebrex and a hell of a lot less expensive.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you. These are all good ideas, and I will be exploring the possibilities!

[steve86]

Mrs. Don-o, I am terribly disappointed to hear of this. #6 has excellent ideas; most of my Rx have been Wal-Mart $4 generics for quite some time. For those that aren't (and I'm a few years short of Part D eligibility also), GoodRX offers incredible free coupons affiliated with various RX discount programs. For example, my Venlafaxine ER would be around $150 cash price at a typical chain pharmacy; it is $17 with the coupon and I have never had any trouble getting them to accept the coupon, unbelievably. What profit margin must be built in at the retail pharmacy!

God bless you from me as well!

[TurkeyLurkey]

My general physician had some drug discount cards in his office that were free to his patients. I took one and started using it several years ago. I too have rheumatoid arthritis and take methotrexate. The discount card knocks about $12-15 off the regular cost. I’ve seen other cards, some of them have been received in the mail; they’re from different phara companies.

You might ask your doctor or ask someone down at your local health clinic if they know of any drug discount cards available to people w/o insurance or those, like me, who are not on a lot of medication and do not subscribe to any drug plan.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Sounds like the volume of such programs is going to have pressure put on them, however, by this circus-juggling game that is being played with America’s healthcare plans. In the end, most people still paid for their care; it’s just HOW they did so was the question.

[HiTech RedNeck]

There’s definitely going to be pressure all around. The old fashioned drug stores may become rare birds, if not extinct.

[steve86]

Why does this piss you off?

In my relative's case, the following situations would not have occurred with a local pharmacy:

1) Delivery time from placing order unpredictably varies dramatically from 2 days to two weeks.

2) USPS left order on doorstep (too big to fit in mailbox), was stolen, customer out big money and didn't get medication on time. Appeals and complaints to both mail order pharmacy and USPS have failed.

3) So the next time she specified "signature required" and paid extra shipping charge. Sent USPS regular again.

Fed. Up.

[rawcatslyentist]

Genesis 1:29

The First Gift!