$1400 for 14 pills changes to $2000+ in just 2 days

[Horse with no Name]

I picked up a prescription this week. It is a high dollar medication of which there is NO substitute. There is NO generic. It is a one-of-a-kind.
The pharmacy only had 4 pills in stock--had to order the rest.
I picked them up today.
The pharmacist just kept shaking his head at the cost of this medication.
When I got the 4 pills a couple days ago, the pharmacist told me it would cost around $1400 for these pills.
When I picked them up today, a different pharmacist said this prescription would cost over $2000 if I had to pay cash for it.
I asked why the other pharmacist quoted $1400, he said it was simply because when they ordered the 4 that they kept in stock, that was the price was then.
I have insurance so it only cost me $30.
However, the question that needs to be asked is what if I did NOT have insurance? What would my alternative be? There is no substitute for this medication. The only other way I can get it is IV--and that would be more cost prohibitive than this.
I guess someone would just have to die.
And the reason is because there isn't anyone who tells the pharmacy companies that they CANNOT do this.
This has to change.
Off topic--CVS will match Walmart's $4 prescriptions just in case anyone wants to know.

[mike_c]

1. a couple of years ago I stood behind an older gentleman...

...in the pharmacy checkout line who paid for a thirty day supply of drugs with a credit card. I overheard the clerk tell him the final tally was over $1500. This must end.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. And what do those same 4 pills sell for in Canada? Or Mexico

Or England? Or France? or Spain? or Norway? or Japan?or Belgium? or Sweden? Gosh, do you think the cost will be less than the US?

[gollygee]

3. I picked up a prescription the other day

and the doctor said it would have cost $800 if I hadn't had insurance. It isn't for something life threatening but it's a quality-of-life thing. I guess I would just have to suffer if I didn't have insurance.

It's awful :( I really am very lucky in many ways.

[The Straight Story]

4. There is a simple solution to all this:

Tell the government you need the meds to stop them terrarists and save iraq, they will pay for it in a second ;)

Seriously though - this is insane. Kicking for more exposure.

[tridim]

5. It's obscene

I'm one of those lucky Americans who can't afford good insurance so I'm stuck with a $5000 deductible. If I needed that medication I'd be SOL.

[Cleita]

6. I'm so sorry you have to be at the mercy of our dysfunctional system.

Those who can't afford it will die without even palliative care. There are documented cases of this happening across the country in the last decade.

Since I refuse to get Medicare part D in protest, I may be one of them if I develop a disease that requires an expensive course of medication. I will keep DU informed if this happens. It's time to not sweep this unpleasantness under the rug.

[Horse with no Name]

13. It's just not right

not in this country.
Hopefully real Medicare reform will be coming down the pike instead of more welfare for big pharma.
Hang in there.

[Selatius]

7. The government has not been willing to collectively bargain down prices

No, that flies in the face of a free market that Repubs say they support. Corporate welfare for the elite. Laissez-faire capitalism for everyone else. That's "the American Way."

[Cleita]

9. Excellent statement on the status quo.

I don't think these corporations could survive in a free market society. That's why the corporate welfare is okay with them.

[davekriss]

8. 18,000 a year

That's the number who die each year because they carry no health insurance. That's six 9-11's every year, or one Vietnam every 3 years. Still nothing is done (except the b*llshit Republican law that prohibits government agencies from negotiating lower prices for their state, and kept people from buying their pharmacuticals at more affordable prices north and south of the border).

This certainly has to change.

We are the only first-world industrial nation that has not decided, as a people, to guarantee healthcare to all its citizens. Shameful.

[Coexist]

11. Oh my - that is really sad.

[davekriss]

16. btw, if anyone challenges the numbers, just...

google up 18,000+healthcare+deaths and read any of the many articles on the IOM report.

[kineneb]

10. sadly, the only way to "afford" medications

is to be really poor and qualify for state Medicaid. And once one qualifies, there is no incentives to earn more, because then one loses the coverage. That is how we live.

Our tale: Hubby has End-Stage Renal Disease (fancy name for no kidney function=dialysis) plus other health problems. He is on Medicare and MediCal. But... if I work at a legitimate job to supplament his SSDI, he will lose drug coverage, if our income goes above $1437 per month. Never mind I can't work full or even part time, due to his doctor appointments, or that any job I get would not have benefits... no, $1437 is the cutoff.

And for me to get paid medical care, I have a $245 per month "share-of-cost," which translates to paying $245 each month I need services/medicine before CMSP will cover any costs. That means we would have around $950 that month to live on; or in real terms, maybe $150 for food and gasoline after the bills are paid. Hello, food pantry. We have to have the car to get to Hubby's collection of doctors.

So, yes, we understand. Good luck.
The system must change.

[Horse with no Name]

12. I was researching this particular drug

and apparently you have to literally jump through hoops to get Medicaid to cover it.
I am sorry about your situation.
In my eyes, it is always better to give someone a hand up than a shove down. Too bad this isn't how they do things.
It is criminal. There are no other terms applicable.
Good luck to you and your husband. Will keep you in my prayers.

[dennis00]

14. cost of medication

12 years ago I lived in a tiny village in Belize, Punta Gorda. One of the local kids had worms, which is common down there. I took her to see the only Doc in town. Total cost was $2.50 for the doctor visit and 75 cents for the prescription, 2 medications to get her well.

[williesgirl]

15. One month supply of one of my daughter's prescriptions is $7,700.00, no generic either

Right now, we still have a prescription card. However, our health insurance was cancelled effective year-end by my old company. We are both on disability.

[Horse with no Name]

17. Oh my

What are you going to do?
Will Medicaid carry her?
I am so sorry for your situation.