Can someone tell me (prescription cost info)

[sariku]

I've read a few posts about DU'ers whose parents take medications which are pretty spendy. I was watching some news show the other night that had a segment on hair loss. They had a group of men taking different treatments for a period of time, and then they checked in to see how it was going.

Anyway, all rambling aside, I caught one tidbit that said that one prescription medication for male hair-loss costs about $600 per year. I thought that, really, that's not very much - $50 per month.

But then, I started wondering how this compares to necessary medication - heart medication, high blood pressure medication, cholesterol medication, etc. Anyone have any figures?

Of course, one other thing to consider is that, even if the cost for this non-necessary medication is similar to necessary medication, an older person may take more than one medicine. But still, I'm curious to know how this compares.

[0007]

1. The price will vary depending upon where you buy.

Call up a pharmacy and find out, they will give you prices over the phone. Start with Wall-Mart if your comfortable with that source.

No Biggy

[clydefrand]

2. $50 a month for medication is hardly heard of if a person

has multiple problems and no prescription card or one that only pays a small amount on the RX. My older sister takes a half dozen or so medications a day. Her pharmacy bill runs from $380+ to nearly $500. She gets a small discount through her insurance.

So you see it ain't cheap to be sick. Unless RX's are generic, they can run $90-$120.

[RebelOne]

3. I am fortunate that I have insurance through my job.

My prescriptions for blood pressure and cholestrol, plus Wellbutrin (I'm trying to quit smoking) cost me $90 a month.

[ezee]

4. Go to

Costco.com . Go to there pharmacy section and follow the prompts. they have a great site and you can enter the drug you wish and find out there cost for the item. They seem to be the least costly of all the pharmacy's.

[Boredtodeath]

5. Heart meds = $800/month

Plavix, Norvasc, Coreg, Lipitor plus some minor drugs like potassium and a drug to prevent water retention (furosemide)

[sariku]

6. Keep in mind that I'm unfamiliar with these meds...

Are these all the same type of medication? Or medications that one might take together?

[sariku]

7. Here's what I'm getting at....

A non-neccesary medication for cosmetic reasons: $50 per month.

Medications for medical conditions, neccesary to live: ? Boredtodeath listed 4 meds, $800 per month. If that is for all of them, then $200 per month. For medically neccesary medication.

Pardon me while I gather enough air to scream WHAT THE FUCK?

So basically, if it's not neccesary, the price is lower - in order to attract more consumers? But if it's neccesary, well hey, ya already got 'em, don't you? The ethics of this scenario is frightening and infuriating.