I can't support Pharma any more. $1,000.00? No fucking way, I'd rather die.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Just got a call from Walmart Pharmacy saying that I had a $980.00 order of meds waiting to be picked up.

It's been 500-600 in the recent past for my heart meds but this is a bridge to far.

Fuck them I'm too damned old to piss around with them.

I have already cut the prescription dosage in half to save money but now it is nuts.


I used to think this was a great country.


I would rather eat and pay rent.

[Skittles]

1. very sorry

you should NOT have to put up with this, HOW IS THIS EXTORTION LEGAL, UGH

[mahina]

2. Can't Rec. Please call your doc and ask if they can help find a solution.

I’m so so sorry Tom.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. Done before, they gave me a bag full of samples.

Going back makes one feel like a beggar.

[Demovictory9]

6. Swallow that pride and go back

[sprinkleeninow]

10. Yes, please go back to your doc!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

14. It is very difficult for me to go anywhere.

My days of hopping into a car and going somewhere are long gone.

Not complaining. I've had fun.

[speak easy]

28. Get them from Canada, maybe.

[Bristlecone]

9. I agree with Demovictory9

I completely understand your perspective however.

Best wishes

[Gore1FL]

15. The people robbing you and others provide those samples.

Grab them while you can.

[Sogo]

4. That IS awful!

Any way to see if you can get the meds you need from Canada or Mexico?

[NewHendoLib]

5. did you put the names of your meds in the Good RX app and check local pharmacies

to compare prices? The variance of prices on medicines is insane. I changed my pharmacy that I chose for my medicare Part D to Publix using the Good RX - I am saving loads that way.

Just the normal Good RX - avoid the "gold" version that you have to pay for.

[Lettuce Be]

22. Absolutely, I've had a $800 RX turn into $70

The pharmacy I use will check for you, though not sure if you have to ask the first time. I would have refused the meds otherwise. I also refuse to enrich pharma. And yes, I understand that may mean a bad outcome for me, but so be it. I'm getting ornery these days.

[Takket]

7. have you tried goodrx?

[JCMach1]

26. I use goodrx and a pharma program to get the Jardiance I need

For my post Covid BS...

[dweller]

8. Sign up with Mark Cuban site

https://costplusdrugs.com/

Ask your dr to send your prescription there, you have shipping and handling to deal with, but you may find it’s worth the savings.

I just signed up, my meds will be less than 10% of previous cost.

Check it out


✌🏻

[Earth-shine]

16. Recently, I placed a three-day rush order with them. It took ten days to get to me.

Just before the order actually arrived, I received an email telling me that they are overwhelmed with orders and there will be delays.

[tishaLA]

31. This is what I was going to suggest.

I just didn't remember the name of the site. IMO this is a very good bet.

[sueh]

11. Tom, I understand where you're coming from.

But please look at Canadian Pharmacy or Mark Cuban's site. My husband takes Eliquis and until 2 months ago his co-pay was $47 for a 30 day supply. Now his co-pay is $144.00 for 30 days. I checked Canadian Pharmacy & I can get a 6 months supply for $188.00. Take care, Tom.

[DET]

12. Try GoodRX

One of the cancer meds my husband is on costs almost $5,000 per month - and that’s the generic version (thankfully, we pay nothing with our insurance, but who knows about the future). GoodRX charges less than $250 per month for this drug. GoodRX has been a real godsend for a lot of people who need expensive prescription drugs.

[OMGWTF]

13. Costco costs half what we were paying at the chain drugstore.

[Tanuki]

18. Yes, it is well worth checking Costco. Sometimes the difference

is even more dramatic.

[mbusby]

27. We use both CostCo and GoodRX ...

... so far, so good.

[Demsrule86]

17. Check with docs, try other pharmacies, look for coupons, call the manufacturer. Also Amazon has

pharmacies now. Also, talk to pharmacist. They often know of deals or coupons.
Are you on Eliquis? If all else fails buy it in Canada by mail.

[BigmanPigman]

19. My single RX was over $800 a month

and I said the same as you after paying for my first month. I told my doctor not to prescribe it since I couldn't afford it and somehow got hooked up with a pharmacy and I get it for free. There are sneaky ways around RX prices but this one RX I was able to get while the others I have not been so lucky with. Even with health insurance through the ACA for those on a low income I am still spending half my $2,400 a month income from disability retirement on meds and health issues. I would rather die than go through this crap anymore. I have had it!!!!!!! You can NOT "live" in the US while older or sick. That is a fact. I have spent over $200,000 on my health issues so far in this lifetime. That is beyond ridiculous. If Americans get sick, we die in bankruptcy. Woohoo.

[rubbersole]

20. You said it.

Thanks.

[tulipsandroses]

21. If you they are name brand drugs, call the manufacturer and ask if they have a patient assistance

program. Many do. Not the same as the copay card. With patient assistance programs are income based.

[SheltieLover]

23. Call manufacturer. Often they will provide free or very low cost.

Also dr can rx something similar.

Kroger has a pharmacy discount program. $36/year & most drugs cost $6 for a 90-day supply.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

32. I have had success with Pfizer's patient assistance program.

The Xeljanz my rheumatologist prescribed has a monthly copay of $1700. The doctor gave me a short form to fill out and submit to Pfizer, along with my latest tax return. I was approved and I haven't had to pay a cent in two years. Fortunately my Rx is for arthritic pain and not a life-threatening condition, so I have other options if Pfizer changes the rules.

There's almost always a way -- I had to use a Canadian mail order pharmacy in Kaiser upped the copay on one prescription from $100 to $1200. My Canadian copay was $85 for the generic version of the drug, which wasn't available in the U.S. I just happened to get lucky both times.

I can understand your frustration. Good luck in your search for a solution.

[dlk]

24. Some possible options for saving on your prescriptions

1. Extra Help - If you’re on Medicare, Social Security offers Extra Help with prescription costs. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office for more information. There are also state pharmaceutical assistance programs.

2. Formulary Exception - you can ask your prescribing physician to file a formulary exception request form with your insurance carrier, which is a request to recategorize your drugs into a lower tier so they’re not as expensive to fill. It’s a common form and doctors offices file them all the time. It should be at no cost to you. Insurance carriers recategorize drugs all the time, although it’s not 100% guaranteed.

3. Patient Assistance Programs - You can reach out directly to the drug manufacturer for information about a patient assistance program. There are different rules at every company but you may be able to fill your prescriptions at a discounted cost. You can find out more information by doing a Google search for the drug name and patient assistance. There’s usually a phone number you can call or an online request form.

4. Discount Card - There are a number of free discount cards. Good Rx and Blink are popular and a they both have apps where you can check prescription prices (or check online on their websites) to see if your prescriptions would cost less to fill using them.

Good luck and let us know how you’re doing.

[W_HAMILTON]

25. There is a lot of good advice in this thread.

I would say the best one is to work with your doctor to see what they can switch you to that is more affordable; you didn't say what medication you are on, but typical heart medicines nowadays have gone generic and you can usually get them relatively cheap. Doctors sometimes seem to have incentives to recommend the newest and shiniest prescriptions out there, but if you can't afford it and therefore won't be using it, if you let them know, they should try to find a more affordable option or even provide you with guidance on how to get lowered costs on the prescription that is too expensive.

[sarcasmo]

29. RX coupons link below.

https://www.rxsaver.com/

[crimycarny]

30. I've gotten mine from canada

I take an anti-epileptic drug that is over $1000 a month in US but $75 in Canada. I use an online Canadian pharmacy. You have to have a hard copy of your RX.

[Meowmee]

33. Which medications?

That sounds crazy to me. Ask your doctor what the alternatives are or keep getting them in samples from them or the company.

Maybe there are alternatives, coupons from good rx, sometimes the manufacturers will also do coupon/ discounts. I was getting restasis for free, no copay, for the first year through a manufacturer coupon discount.