![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on July 11, 2010, at 15:15:49
When I was covered by insurance I was more compliant. It was like, "well, at least its free". Now I don't know. I can't really afford $100 a month for meds that only kind of work. No, I should rephrase...I don't want to spend $100 a month on meds that only kind of work.
Prescription drugs should just be free.
No, I don't qualifty for assistance with medication costs, cause I make too much.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk2010 on July 11, 2010, at 15:56:47
In reply to just don't want to pay for meds, posted by linkadge on July 11, 2010, at 15:15:49
>Prescription drugs should just be free.
Here in the UK, many people get all of their prescription meds for free. Other people pay prescription charges (which are low compared with most countries).
Everything has to be paid for. Our type of health service has to be funded by high taxation.
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2010, at 16:37:29
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds, posted by ed_uk2010 on July 11, 2010, at 15:56:47
And boy is it every high. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on July 11, 2010, at 20:58:36
In reply to just don't want to pay for meds, posted by linkadge on July 11, 2010, at 15:15:49
> When I was covered by insurance I was more compliant. It was like, "well, at least its free". Now I don't know. I can't really afford $100 a month for meds that only kind of work. No, I should rephrase...I don't want to spend $100 a month on meds that only kind of work.
Do these meds increase your earning power? If so, it might make sense to pay for them and remain gainfully employed.
- Scott
Posted by weatherfreak on July 11, 2010, at 21:02:05
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds » ed_uk2010, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2010, at 16:37:29
Same in Australia, literally every med was subsidised by the government 20 years ago. You'd pay say $10-15 per script. Now most scripts are just over $30 BUT the amount of medication that has dropped off that list is growing exponentially. It's disgusting.
Posted by linkadge on July 12, 2010, at 8:10:55
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds, posted by weatherfreak on July 11, 2010, at 21:02:05
A month of escitalopram (5mg!) is $40.
Linkadge
Posted by weatherfreak on July 13, 2010, at 10:23:59
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds, posted by linkadge on July 12, 2010, at 8:10:55
> A month of escitalopram (5mg!) is $40.
>
> LinkadgeWOW, I've mentioned it before but our PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) in Australia is quite good as long as the medication you need is on it. Almost all psych meds are on it but off label use for any drug doesn't count so you have to pay full price.
10mg x 28 tabs of escitalopram is $16 AUD. If you need to go up to 20mg a month, you ask the doc for an authority script, he places a call, pops a special number on the script and you get 2 boxes for $16 after a 5 minute trip to the Pharmacy.
Most meds are on PBS but if they're not or you need something for off label use it's outrageous.
Our Healthcare (medicare) and meds are run by the government and have nothing to do with our place of employment. There is no co-pay crap either. Your employer has absolutely no right to know what's even wrong with you. The doc can leave that field blank on the medical certificate. They are not allowed to ask you either and have absolutely no right again to know what medications you're taking. We are so lucky, but as the years go by our system is becoming more Americanised which terrifies people.
Posted by linkadge on July 13, 2010, at 12:38:16
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds » linkadge, posted by weatherfreak on July 13, 2010, at 10:23:59
>10mg x 28 tabs of escitalopram is $16 AUD. If >you need to go up to 20mg a month, you ask the >doc for an authority script, he places a call, >pops a special number on the script and you get >2 boxes for $16 after a 5 minute trip to the >Pharmacy.
Thats amazing.
>Your employer has absolutely no right to know >what's even wrong with you. The doc can leave >that field blank on the medical certificate. >They are not allowed to ask you either and have >absolutely no right again to know what >medications you're taking.
I think thats true in Canada too (although I'm not sure). If the employer covers the meds its through the company's insurance and theres no transfer of information that I am aware of.
If you don't have insurance in Canada you have to pay out of pocket unless you qualify for Green Shield. To qualify for this you need to prove that you are in enough financial need.
The problem occurs with people who do not qualify for insurance or green sheild. Sure they *could* pay, but I know many people who don't take blood pressure, cholesterol, psychiatric or other meds just because they'd rather not pay. And then some meds are just prohibitively expensive.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk2010 on July 13, 2010, at 16:45:12
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds » weatherfreak, posted by linkadge on July 13, 2010, at 12:38:16
Scripts in the UK are either £7.20 per item or free, if you have an exemption from charges. The actual cost of the medication is paid for by the NHS.
A script for a month's supply of escitalopram would be £7.20, a script for 6 months's supply would be £7.20, a script for a drug which actually costs £1000 would be £7.20. A script for a drug which actually costs £0.20 would be £7.20. Most people have an exemption though, so pay nothing at all.
Posted by weatherfreak on July 13, 2010, at 18:10:32
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds » linkadge, posted by ed_uk2010 on July 13, 2010, at 16:45:12
Yes Ed, the UK and some EU countries have it REALLY sorted out.
Link, we have the same problem here, in regards to being able to pay for scripts. If you're unemployed, you get a concession card from the government, so your scripts will cost you $5.40AUD. People in your situation here were struggling a lot more until this place came along. This is where I go if something is expensive. Also generic brands here have to be the same as the original drug so you don't have to worry about dosage differences. Google Chemist Warehouse, it's done miracles for Australian medication prices, with other large chain Pharmacies finally following suit.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on July 13, 2010, at 18:24:54
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds, posted by weatherfreak on July 13, 2010, at 18:10:32
> Yes Ed, the UK and some EU countries have it REALLY sorted out.
I wouldn't say that, there are many problems with our system.
Posted by emmanuel98 on July 13, 2010, at 21:42:10
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds » weatherfreak, posted by linkadge on July 13, 2010, at 12:38:16
I don't know where you get your information about Canada, but my daughter lives there on a 3-year visa right now, pays $75month for the national health service, gets free care, cheap prescriptions, free everything except dental. For that she comes home, because she is on our dental insurance,
Posted by linkadge on July 14, 2010, at 9:40:03
In reply to Re: just don't want to pay for meds, posted by emmanuel98 on July 13, 2010, at 21:42:10
>I don't know where you get your information >about Canada, but my daughter lives there on a 3->year visa right now, pays $75month for the >national health service, gets free care, cheap >prescriptions, free everything except dental. >For that she comes home, because she is on our >dental insurance,
Well, then she has signed up for some sort of coverage plan. I live in Canada. If I filled all my meds I'd pay $100+ a month. The only way to get coverage is if you qualify for green sheild which I don't.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.