Amazing how much lifesaving meds are overpriced in the US

[DandyDon]

This site seems useful in shopping for deals. They want to sell you the meds, but they do offer other resources. Just need to double-check the prices on the other sites and vet them.

Drug Price Comparisons & Online Pharmacy Safety | PharmacyChecker.com

Compare prescription drug prices and coupons. Save up to 90% on prescription medications by shopping at online pharmacies accredited for safety credentials to protect your health.

www.pharmacychecker.com

 

[berndo]

Like I said, just follow the money.
Big pharma, big medical, and especially big insurance have a lot of influence.

I wonder who is making the extra money here. Like with the dive gear. When a apeks regs or drysuit or whatever costs double than what it costs in Europe, somebody is siphoning of that money. Who is it? Somebody is making a killing without adding extra value it seems.

 

[tridacna]

I wonder who is making the extra money here. Like with the dive gear. When a apeks regs or drysuit or whatever costs double than what it costs in Europe, somebody is siphoning of that money. Who is it? Somebody is making a killing without adding extra value it seems.

Not hard to understand. Anti-competitive practices abound. MRSP by companies like Shearwater, SP and AL in the US is a good starting point.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I wonder who is making the extra money here. Like with the dive gear. When a apeks regs or drysuit or whatever costs double than what it costs in Europe, somebody is siphoning of that money. Who is it? Somebody is making a killing without adding extra value it seems.

We’re talking about the medical system, medications prescriptions, and insurance companies, not dive gear. Two entirely different things. People don’t need dive gear to survive, but they do need medical services and prescriptions to continue to be alive.
It is unethical and immoral how they are holding us hostage with these life or death matters.

 

[kinoons]

They do nothing of the kind. They act as an unnecessary middleman that tack on huge fees which are borne by the consumer. There is absolutely no reason to have them any longer. But they’re a protected class that ensure their survival by paying off lobbyists who grease the palms of our politicians year after year.

Mark Cuban and Amazon Scripts are trying to change this paradigm - so are some politicians. But it’s just too juicy for most health insurers to give up yet. Worst part is that it’s the PBMs that are responsible to the lack of transparency when it comes to drug pricing.

And don’t forget that the largest PBMs are owned by insurance companies, so the insurance works out a deal with the PBM that basically pays them twice when the PBM then makes their deal with the local pharmacies.

 

[tridacna]

Not hard to understand. Anti-competitive practices abound. MRSP by companies like Shearwater, SP and AL in the US is a good starting point.

And don’t forget that the largest PBMs are owned by insurance companies, so the insurance works out a deal with the PBM that basically pays them twice when the PBM then makes their deal with the local pharmacies.

Don’t I know that all too well. The insurance companies make more from rebates than from the drugs. It’s scandalous.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Extortion, racketeering, protection, etc. these were once the tactics of the mob. Now they are legal in the form of the entire medical/insurance industry.
I guess anything can become legal if you have enough money.

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah, well, the more I go over the issue, the more I see the need to be proactive and not just wait in the drive-in line to pick up. If you have commercial or Part D insurance, shop the costs as compared to GoodRx and Drug Price Comparisons & Online Pharmacy Safety | PharmacyChecker.com When a physician asks which pharmacy I'd like a script sent to, I ask for a written script.

My CVS Caremark Part D covers many of my regular meds at little to no cost and I'd rather get them mailed to me than wait in line at the store anyway. For others, Google will give you a typical retail price, Good RX will give you prices from various stores with their coupons or sign you up for even cheaper mailorder supplies in many cases, the various chain pharmacies have their own sites with prices to compare - and various pharmacies do charge a wide range of prices with or without coupons.

For the two expensive ones on my list with retail prices of over $500/month, Good RX is not much help. My Caremark Part D gets those down to over $200/month, but I see those as worth the bother to import myself, Anoro at $25/month, and Xarelto at $22/month. That Pharmacy Checker link seems helpful in shopping. You have to watch your inventory and plan ahead, reordering when you have a two-month supply left as international orders do rarely get delayed and lost at times. The companies will replace the orders, but it takes time.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I just spent 5 days in a hospital for due to a bacterial leg infection.
I had to pay NT$9,000 for the room ( I chose a room with only two people could have chosen a cheaper room with 4 or a more expensive room for one. ) Plus NT$2503 for some inspections not covered by local medical insurance every one in the country has.
So NT$11, 503 which is NT$30.9 to US$ so my out of pocket expenses just under $373
All my other costs including daily visits from infectious disease specialists ( One who does the chamber O2 came to see if I needed that treatment. ) Daptomycin aka Cubicin was one of the injected medicines. Goin to see the specialist on Thursday, leg is better but still swollen and around ankle a bit painful.

Would hate to think what this would have cost in the USA

 

[DandyDon]

I just spent 5 days in a hospital for due to a bacterial leg infection.

That sounds scary. How did this happen?