The Cellar - Canadian pharmacies

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- - Canadian pharmacies (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=19095)

My doc had me on Lipitor for which no generic is available for consumers yet. At $50/30 pills, I'd skip doses often. Then I received a letter from the military insurance managers that told me information I did not know - there is no generic for Lipitor, but there are meds that do the job and have generics or cheaper prices. Three names were provided, one of which was Lovastatin, and 2 of those were covered in the $4/30 day and $10/90 day supplies. I'll always ask my doctor for a generic version or generic substitution for any brand-name now. The money we've spent on Lipitor... GRRRR!

All this goes to show it pays {you} to be an informed consumer. It is a complicated system but you can lessen the blows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pie (Post 516944)

Sometimes the docs are getting kickbacks from the pharm folks and don't prescribe generics unless requested. Is your doctor aware of your financial situation? They can also go with a different drug based on your insurance level.

Often, the "best" (read: on-patent and costly) drug is only marginally better than the previous-generation (read: generic & cheaply available) drug.

Sorry to self-quote, but it was easier than re-typing it. :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC (Post 518826)

Sundae, sign up for jobseekers allowance. Even if you're not entitled to full benefits, they'll pay your stamp for you ( I think) and I think if you're on the system for Jobseekers, even if you're temporarily blocked from claiming the cash, you may still get your prescriptions free. Also, if they tell you you arenb't entitled to benefits because of voluntary unemployment, then ask about hardship payments (I think that's what they're called). It's basically a small allowance that bridges you to full benefits when you're fully entitled again. I don't think (though I may be wrong) that they're supposed to leave someone with zero income.

Don't worry - I have already applied for JobSeekers. I'm waiting to hear back from them.
If it's a No (which it will be) I'll start asking for what else I can get.
After all, they can't expect me to JobSeek on zero income.

In truth I will find something - anything! - before the benefits kick in. It's just the fear I get every time I switch on the news and see all the redundancies in the area... I'll be applying for all the benefits AND the vacancies just in case.

Pie, I had tried to research generics and substitutions and did not find the information. Perhaps I wasn't phrasing the search right. The doctor who originally prescribed the meds told me he wanted me on that one (DAW'd it) and I gave up too fast, thinking he had knowledge and my best interest at heart. Now I know better - always check with the Cellar! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pie (Post 518875)

Sorry to self-quote, but it was easier than re-typing it. :p

Actually it's probably better to self quote, rather than make two identical posts which might confuse some people. :thumb:

One thing I like about Texas pharmacies:
It is the law here that the pharmacy fill a prescription with the generic if it is available. So you don't even have to remember to ask for it.
Of course if you or your doctor desire you can specify you need/want the brand name. Its posted on every pharmacy counter (that I've seen) that you have to request brand-name.
I'm not worried about taking generics, they go through the same FDA testing the brand-name does. Brand-name had a patent, that is all.

In GA it is opposite. You must request generic. (I'm not saying its the law, knitpickers)
My cholesteral medicine brand name: $212.00
Generic brand: $4.00
Knowing this: Priceless.

I am on two prescription medications. My insurer used to pay hundreds of dollars for me every month. Now, they pay -- nothing. And I pay $8/month, far less than the $40 copay I used to have. Competition is a wonderful thing! :D

Same here capnhowdy, but quite often if you have prescription insurance coverage, the insurance company will insist the pharmacist contact the Doctor to see if he really wants the name brand.

My brother (in MA) is having a hard time with my mother's scripts because they will only dispense a month's supply. If the month ends on a weekend, he can't get them on Friday and she'll be out by Monday. Stupid shit when it comes to narcotics. :mad:

Yup. My DR writes 6 refills on 6 of my meds but I have to get a new script every month for pain meds.We both know (DR & I) that I need the pain meds monthly from here on out but I have to have a monthly appt. to avoid the costly "pain management" clinics. Pisses me off.