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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kylenn on August 4, 2006, at 21:26:37
Just wanted to inform about the cost of my prescriptions. I have no insurance, so I have to pay cash money.
Last month, when I refilled my Provigil and Wellbutrin, the total was over $700 for just one month's worth!!
I called my pharmacist to see if there was some kind of mistake, and he said there was no mistake.
Since I am a physician, he bumped it down to "cost". The total was still over $600. Ok, I may be a DOCTOR, but I am poor. Family Medicine doctors get paid squat, just to let you know, and I am barely making ends meet. And I live sparsely.
I drive a '98 Tahoe with no plans on getting anything new anytime soon.
I can't afford it.
So, needless to say, I can NOT afford $6-700 a month for meds. And that is not including the Lexapro and cerefolin that I take.
What a freaking rip-off.
I went online and found some Canadian sites that I can order the same meds from for less than 1/2 of that.
I called my shrink and my FP and they both agreed that it was OK. My FP mailed me new scrips for 90 days, and they are going by fax on Monday to the company.
I will get #200 Provigil 200mg pills for $375.
Here, they would cost $2,000!!!
I was getting #60 for $600, so that is no lie!!
Obviously, this means that there is a ridiculously huge mark-up here in the U.S.
We should boycott our own pharmacies until something changes. I know I am.
Posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2006, at 21:37:22
In reply to cost of drugs, posted by kylenn on August 4, 2006, at 21:26:37
I too pay out of pocket so I know what you say is true. But how come a doc doesn't have insurance? It doesn't make sense. No samples or anything? Horrible. Love Phillipa
Posted by kylenn on August 4, 2006, at 22:37:28
In reply to Re: cost of drugs » kylenn, posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2006, at 21:37:22
Well, no insurance because I have a private practice (I am not an employee) so I have to buy my own insurance. Being as I have a history of DEPRESSION that makes insurance tougher to get and more expensive.
Getting samples is easier said than done.
Since I am remote, I don't get a lot of drug reps to begin with. Wellbutrin XL is in short supply, or so I am told, as far as samples.
Provigil, forget about it.
I have samples of Lexapro, and that is why I do not have to buy any for a couple of months.
Sad, but true.
Posted by SLS on August 4, 2006, at 22:50:36
In reply to Re: cost of drugs, posted by kylenn on August 4, 2006, at 22:37:28
You might want to look into substituting Provigil with a French drug called adrafinil (Olmifon). It is the parent molecule of modafinil and is metabolized extensively into modafinil in the body. It is dirt cheap. You can get it easily using online pharmacies. I don't know what other countries it might be available in.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2006, at 23:06:40
In reply to Re: cost of drugs, posted by kylenn on August 4, 2006, at 22:37:28
My husband is self-employed and the same happened to us. They wont touch me. Love Phillipa
Posted by TJO on August 5, 2006, at 5:42:37
In reply to Re: cost of drugs » kylenn, posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2006, at 23:06:40
Hi,
Can you write to the drug companies themselves? Some have programs (so I've heard) for the people who can't afford their medication. Also check with your state, my state has a program (PAAD) that pays for many of my meds.Tam
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 5, 2006, at 5:44:49
In reply to Re: cost of drugs » kylenn, posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2006, at 23:06:40
Well, I know us Brits moan about the NHS, but well, at least its there for *everybody* to use, regardless of income. Totally free healthcare - I thought it was a basic human right, now I understand how lucky we are to have it here in the UK! And we only pay around $9 per whatever script we need, including, for example, wellbutrin, provigil etc. So your scripts would have cost about $18 here in the UK! Incredible to think that it would be over $700 in the US!
It must be horrible to have to worry about having enough cash to buy your medicines... or even just about having some diease! I couldn't imagine it, it must be weird...what do people do who, for example, suddenly discover they have breast cancer? Would they just go untreated if they didn't have any cash/insurance? That seems really morally wrong to me somehow. But then, I guess I've been bought up on the NHS/free European heatlhcare, so its just different I suppose.
Then again, we pay alot more than you US folks in tax. And good luck trying to convince a UK doc you need provigil.... not that I've tried, but I asume you won't have much luck unless you lie through to the teeth about your chronic night shift work.
BTW also note that wellbutrin is also called zyban and is used as a aid to quitting smoking. So zyban might be cheaper on some of those pharmacies...I don't know.
Wow. To be honest, although I know we do grumble about the NHS alot here, particulary us mental health users, I am really glad we have it in place.
Posted by jedi on August 6, 2006, at 1:00:14
In reply to Re: Re Kylenn, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2006, at 23:44:41
Hi Guys,
I haven't checked these out, but here are some web sites that might be able to help you with your medication costs.
Take care,
JediPrescription Meds
https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php
Helping you with the cost of prescription medication. Free or reduced medications if you qualify.http://freemedicineprogram.com/index.html
They will help you with the paperwork to find free or reduced medications.http://www.medicare.gov/default.asp
Government site for Medicare Prescription drug program.https://www.medicare.gov/MPDPF
This will help you find the correct plan. If you are still not sure about the right plan contact Medicare before you sign up.http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm
State prescription drug plans that are available.http://www.freemedicinefoundation.com/index.html
This company will help do the paperwork (for those who qualify) to enable you to receive free prescriptions or at significantly reduced prices. This company is different than freemedicineprogram.comhttp://www.rxassist.org/Patients/default.cfm
Rxassist.org will enable you to search for information by the name of your medicine or by the name of the company that manufactures it; and find state and national programs that apply in your caseImpairment Sites
http://www.ssa.gov/kids/parent6.htm
Government site for disability benefits for children with disabilities.http://www.ldonline.org/
Learning disabilities in infants, children and youth.http://www.allsupinc.com/library/criteria_Home.aspx?SessionCode=1000
This site will help you find the criteria needed for you to receive disability. Many conditions are listed here.http://www2.rpa.net/~lrandall/index.html
Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, fatigue and more is covered here.http://www.lexington-on-line.com/naf.html
Anxiety site. Coping with stress, depression and fear.Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Resource
CFS and FM support site featuring articles, products, and treatment options.
Posted by Tomatheus on August 6, 2006, at 1:06:47
In reply to Re: Cost of Medication - Free or Reduced, posted by jedi on August 6, 2006, at 1:00:14
Jedi,
Thanks for your post. I found it helpful, and I think that others will, too.
Tomatheus
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 8, 2006, at 10:09:29
In reply to Re: cost of drugs, posted by Meri-Tuuli on August 5, 2006, at 5:44:49
> Well, I know us Brits moan about the NHS, but well, at least its there for *everybody* to use, regardless of income. Totally free healthcare - I thought it was a basic human right, now I understand how lucky we are to have it here in the UK!
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding free healthcare to Psycho-Babble Politics. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060610/msgs/674781.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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