Co-pay for New Med: 312/month

[Trilby]

the medicine is Abilify. It's 485/mo. and my co-pay part is 312/month.


yeah. That's not prohibitive.

I guess I start over at square one again.

If you don't have the time and energy to fight when you are ill (and so many do not) you are really, really screwed.


sigh. and goddamnit.

[monster]

That's outrageous


...i mean, apart from anything else, what in the hell is your doctor thinking prescribing stuff you couldn't possibly afford when the last thing you need right now is further obstacles. Grrrr. there's nothing Holistic about that fer sure.

[Shawnee123]

What kind of co-pay is that? I've never had a co-pay over $30 at any job for any med ever! If I had one like that I wouldn't be on needed medication.

That sucks.

[monster]

...don't suppose they're running any studies on it? Is it worth contacting the drug company?

[xoxoxoBruce]

That's a very good idea, Monster. The Drug companies have been getting a lot of bad press, and what I think is a move to head off congress, have been giving some drugs to a few people, free or at reduced prices. Couldn't hurt to ask, beg, threaten.

[Beestie]

The doc can request samples.

[Trilby]

Yah, going for the sample route. I'm not thrilled to be on this stuff anyway - will try it (IF I can get samples) and if it does't really, really help, forget it. The thing is, though, a lot of people don't know to ask for samples (the doc didn't jump up and mention giving me any, either) and you can't be on samples forever. If you're sick and tired, it's just hard to fight. Have to make sure the doc office sent the prior auth. and then got it to the pharmacy (where everyone is overworked) and on and on...

the 312 is the copay for a med that expensive with the shite insurance I have, shawnee. I'm lucky I have any at all. (I guess, anyway)

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by monster

That's outrageous


...i mean, apart from anything else, what in the hell is your doctor thinking prescribing stuff

My guess is a cruise is in the offering.

[Shawnee123]

I asked my doc for samples of a med I've been on for years, back when I was broke as heck. Part of the issue is I would have considered just going off the meds, not a good idea anyway, but the withdrawal is very very bad...so I asked for samples. I know they won't do that forever.

Damn healthcare costs.

[Pico and ME]

I'd have another talk with your doctor about whether abilify is really necessary. Is he prescribing it for manic depression or just depression? The side effects can get serious with this drug....stuff like weight gain, blood pressure and blood sugar complications. This drug is an anti-psychotic that they are now marketing for other uses. Maybe you might want to research it a bit anyway?

[jinx]

My guess is a cruise is in the offering.

That sounds about right to me Bri, unfortunately.
With the Plavix patent due to expire in 2012, B-MS has to make their money somewhere, gawd. Good thing they got the patent extended on their fastest growing *cough* product...

NEW YORK, April 6 (Reuters) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co said on Monday it will sell its Abilify schizophrenia drug more than two years longer than expected, helping to shore up profits after the company's $5.6 billion-a-year Plavix blood clot preventer faces generic competition in mid-2012.


Abilify, with global sales last year of $2.15 billion, is Bristol-Myers' second-biggest product and one of its fastest growing.

"The extension of the U.S. agreement for Abilify will help Bristol-Myers address an important financial need in 2013,"

Originally Posted by Pico

This drug is an anti-psychotic that they are now marketing for other uses.

[lumberjim]

did it make the news when pharma companies were restricted from handing out pens and catering lunches for big doctor's offices?

I found out about that from a customer that used to sell them promotional stuff like pens and tshirts and stuff. I didn't hear about that in the news...but that might be because I don't watch it...

[Clodfobble]

I only saw that it happened in Massachussetts... did some restriction go into effect nationwide?

[wolf]

While I never get to see anybody doing well on anything, anecdotally, I seem to see a larger proportion of people not doing well on Abilify.

And it's stupid expensive for a medication that doesn't work.

Any chance you can get the doc to sample you through the trial period?

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by wolf

While I never get to see anybody doing well on anything, anecdotally, I seem to see a larger proportion of people not doing well on Abilify.

And it's stupid expensive for a medication that doesn't work.

Any chance you can get the doc to sample you through the trial period?

Good to know, wolf. They guy Rx'd me after about ten minutes of "consult" - I've actually since seen another doc who (besides graduating from my high school - so , bond!) Rx'd me some Depakote (only 250mg hs to start) which I am sure my insurance will pay for. I think abilify is a racket. As soon as patents run out, they rush around to change .00000000001 molecule to get a "new" drug or combine two old drugs to make a "new" drug. We all know the game.

wish me luck. I've not slept well for ......weeks......ugh. And when I do sleep I've horrible nightmares.