The Soaring Cost of a Simple Breath

[XemaSab]

The kitchen counter in the home of the Hayes family is scattered with the inhalers, sprays and bottles of pills that have allowed Hannah, 13, and her sister, Abby, 10, to excel at dance and gymnastics despite a horrific pollen season that has set off asthma attacks, leaving the girls struggling to breathe.

Asthma — the most common chronic disease that affects Americans of all ages, about 40 million people — can usually be well controlled with drugs. But being able to afford prescription medications in the United States often requires top-notch insurance or plenty of disposable income, and time to hunt for deals and bargains.

The arsenal of medicines in the Hayeses’ kitchen helps explain why. Pulmicort, a steroid inhaler, generally retails for over $175 in the United States, while pharmacists in Britain buy the identical product for about $20 and dispense it free of charge to asthma patients. Albuterol, one of the oldest asthma medicines, typically costs $50 to $100 per inhaler in the United States, but it was less than $15 a decade ago, before it was repatented.

“The one that really blew my mind was the nasal spray,” said Robin Levi, Hannah and Abby’s mother, referring to her $80 co-payment for Rhinocort Aqua, a prescription drug that was selling for more than $250 a month in Oakland pharmacies last year but costs under $7 in Europe, where it is available over the counter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/us/the-soaring-cost-of-a-simple-breath.html?hp&_r=0

This article is about price fixing, and it's a scandal.

[XemaSab]

1. kicking

The number of people in the comments who don't take their meds for epilepsy, diabetes, and so forth is really depressing.

[texanwitch]

2. This country is so sad.

The promise we once had.

No one should be without the needed medical care or meds.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, XemaSab.

[Le Taz Hot]

4. My Advair is almost $300.00 per disk.

Luckily, I was able to get on the Patient Assistance Program for that particular manufacturer and got a year's supply -- $3600 worth of meds -- for free. Before I got on the PAP, the only thing I could afford was my Albuterol inhaler at about $49.00 (with Walgreen's prescription drug plan) but that's just a rescue inhaler. Before the PAP there were days on end that I literally lay in the bed not moving as moving had me gasping for air. In days past, I used to be able to go to Mexico and stock up on a year's supply for what it would cost in one month in the US but Mexico is now so dangerous I don't feel safe doing that anymore. Anyway, if you find yourself without the meds you need, for whatever ailment, check out the Patient Assistant Program. If you're low to moderate income with no insurance, chances are you can qualify for reduced cost or even low cost meds.