what sorta regulations are built in for a 4 dollar drug?

Any decent pharmacy will charge you the lesser of the costs. They dont' want to go through insurance if they don't have to, either.

4..
4 dollar..
4 dollar pillz
..
at walmart

Of course it doesn't make you mad ... you're on Prozac, heh.

@Skankingmike: same drug at a lower cost. really nothing changes except insurance cant rip you off.

I switched my scripts from CVS to Target just for this. Target always charges me the lower price generic price (example, Tramadol, at CVS it was $10 under my copay, at Target its $4)

However the weird part is, Target still reports the $4 fills to my insurance company (Harvard Pilgrim). I know this, because, a couple days after a new prescriptiion, I can go online through Harvard Pilgrim and see it listed there.

I wonder why they do this?

I have to say, the $4 prescription policy is quite a life saver. Also there are a number of prescription saving cards you can find on the internet, some don't even require any information about you whatsoever, not even your name, such as www.yourrxcard.com, which I've never used or endorse, but just throwing it out there for anyone who wants to do comparisons with the rx savings cards that are online.

I personally use the card from www.togetherrxaccess.com, the TOS on it says you can't have health insurance, but I've used it tons of places, as long as the pharmacy doesn't know you have insurance, you're good to go, half the time they're cheapter then you're insurance with the savings card.

@s25843: @s25843...I also have Harvard Pilgrim. It sounds like Target gives you the real deal, but charges a generic price...this correct?

I recently (6 weeks ago) had an organ transplant, and I have no wish to mess with generic drugs, but if Target will give me the real thing but only charge generic price, I'd be interested to see how much my cost would go down for some of the spicy drugs I'm taking.

@Daisuke Matsuzaka:

No, Target gives me generics, but the difference is, CVS charges $10 for generics, and Target charges $4

I injured my knee a few months ago, so I've been on Vicodin and Ultram generics so I can walk, and from what I can tell, the generics are the same or better at Target than what CVS dispenses.

Remember, the FDA has guidelines on what can and can't be dispensed. For the most part, I fully trust a generic drug....

I don't really have much to say on this matter, but shouldn't the poll be radio buttons?

The generics that aren't covered under the $4 umbrella can cost an arm and a leg. Less than 6 months ago the best price I could get for Augmentin generic was about $30 for 20 pills, up from several years ago. If you're not allergic and need a med on the $4 list that's great. Otherwise, they can really stick it to you.

I've also run into the tiering problem. I take a med, not optional, that has no generic and there's no similar drug. The insurance charged me the brand copay; for people who choose the brand when there's a generic available. I explained that I have no choice, and they read me back some bullshit about how many different factors are considered when deciding what tier to put a drug in. Nothing changed, of course.

I wish they'd all go to hell.

@s25843: About 5% of all drugs present a problem for generic drug manufacturers. These drugs have a narrow therapeutic index (that is, the drug's toxic dose is not much higher than it's effective dose).

examples include: digitalis, anticoagulants, thyroid medications, theophylline, antineoplastic (anticancer) drugs, anticonvulsant (anti-epilepsy) drugs, and some extended release dose forms.

Even in these cases, the generic equivalents rarely pose a risk to a patient. As always, consult your pharmacist if you have a question about a medication.

I know some pharmacists who will go ahead and bill your insurance but then only charge you $4 regardless of your copay (even if your copay is, say, $25). They're willing to eat this $21 difference because they will get paid by your insurance company for the claim (whereas when they just charge you $4 and don't bill your insurance, they lose a lot more than $21). So it's worth it to ask if they'll cut your copay to $4 even if you have them bill the insurance.

As a person who works in a pharmacy, I pretty much hate the $4 generic thing because these drugs really do cost more than $4 and it's killing pharmacies that don't have strong front end stores to support them. I do like that they're available to people who need drugs and can't afford them, but I almost wish it could truly just be for people who can't afford them. But if I have to pick all or nothing, I pick all, and I'm happy to see people getting and taking the drugs they need.

@Shoelace: check with the drug manufacturer to see if they have a copay assistance program

I once paid a $25 copay for a medication only to find out later than the price of the medication was only $18. Seems like someone would have told me about that at the time...

@Skankingmike: nothing since those drugs are loss leaders for Walmart - they draw you in with them so you buy more stuff elsewhere in the store.

I am lucky enough to not be on any regular prescription drugs. However, about a year ago, I had a dental surgery procedure and required a prescription for it (Vicodin and Penicillin-G)

I was paying cash for the prescriptions, and the local Walgreens wanted $27 for 16 Vicodin generics and $21 for Penicillin-G.

Now... Vicodin is basically Tylenol with a tiny bit of codiene, so wholesale is something like $15 per hundred tablets. Penicillin-G is probably one of the oldest prescription drugs, and you can buy it over the counter in a pet store for something like $3.

So I bitched. They offered to lower the prices by $5, and I said that wasn't sufficient, so I called Wal-mart, and sure enough, both were available for $4. So Walgreens matched the $4 price... but they've lost my business, because if they were willing to rip me off $48 for prescriptions worth $8 (that are profitable at the $8 price), then it's not somebody I want' to do business with. It just galls me when companies are gouging people on health care.

Years ago, drugstores sold generics at reasonable prices. Costs of producing generics have not gone up dramatically, so there's no reason for a generic that cost $5 10 years ago to cost $30 now; maybe $10. But the stores have all gotten greedy.

Thank goodness for companies like Walmart and Target who are pricing drugs that people need at a price people can afford.

@Dafrety: I thought they were. Sigh.

How ironic. People are bitching how crappy Walmart is, and yet everybody is lining up at Walmart. Take a look around, and count how many independent pharmacies left. Say goodbye to them as you keep supporting companies like Walmart. Most, if not all retail pharmacies, especially the ones in grocery stores, are loosing money. Independent pharmacies are going away. Heck, even Rite Aid is not doing so hot either. Next thing you know, you'll be at the mercy of only a few big chain pharmacies like Walgreens or Walmart. Obviously people doesn't care as long as they can save a buck or 2. So, next time I see people whining about Walmart's customer service, well, you deserve it.

Just because cost of a generic medication is cheap, doesn't negate the cost of running a business. More and more pharmacies are cutting hours of their own staff to remain in business, increasing the risk of medication errors due to poor staffing. But hey, as long as you can save a buck or 2, who cares right?

@pika2000: Wow, you're a dolt.
Especially in today's economy, people need to save money. Now, I'm all for supporting local businesses, but when it comes to saving anywhere from the OP's $160 every three months to saving thousands for some unlucky, unhealthy people every year it simply doesn't make sense to support a local shop that can't offer anything close.

Not all of us are as well-to-do as you seem to be. Go burn your Benjamins somewhere else.

@pika2000: So, I'm supposed to support crappy business plans why? Anyway, are there local pharmacies anymore?

@pika2000: This isn't "saving a buck or two", this is saving you six (and a bit) bucks each month provided you pay the $20/three months! Local pharmacies are great, but sometimes you need the cash, especially in the recession.

Something you might want to think about: Using your insurance WITH the $4 generics... Since the price of the drug is less than the copay some insurance providers may cover the whole cost and you'd get it for free. I'm an asthmatic who takes several drugs for my illness and without my insurance and Wal-Mart's $4 generics, I'd have gone broke years ago. Using my insurance (United Healthcare) I pay nothing for the $4 generics unless I get the 90-day supply. Might want to call your insurance and find out?

I use Target's program for generic levoxyl. It's $4/mo or $10 for a 3 month supply. If I use my health insurance, it's $10/mo or $36 for a 3 month supply. Target doesn't even have my insurance information. Why would I bother?

@BytheSea: Yes, but the drugs are loss leaders for the companies offering them at $4. This means they cost more than that but they're offering them at this price to get you in their store.

@Daisuke Matsuzaka: Most transplant drugs are not available as generics. My husband had his transplant over a year ago and had it not been for insurance there is no way we could pay for these high dollar drugs. One anti rejection med cost $987. for a 30 day supply and he started out on 17 different prescriptions a day. Generics are only available if approved by the transplant doctors. And those are few and far between. As far as getting the brand name for the generic price---well, good luck with that one!!!!

@polyeaster: One thing to remember tho, is that the quality control of the generic companies is WAY lower than at large pharmaceuticals that made the original. That means a 20mg pill of drug X as generic may have 17-23ish mgs where the name brand will have within 0.01% of the intended dosage.

For most drugs, it's not a big deal but there will be a few that it is important (anti-psychotic drugs for example). I know this because it was beaten into me by my parents who worked for pharmaceutical companies.

Of course it doesn't stop me from buying generics...

@mkn1972: Each employer sets the rates, not UHC. UHC administers my plan, which costs $12/30 days for generics, $22/30 days for brand, and $50 for exotics (chemo, not Viagra). My employer is trying to push the mail order option, so I can get 90 day supplies at $32 for generics and $50 for brands. I use Target or CVS for most of the generics, and pay $12/90 days.

@sleze69: What do the relavent FDA regulations state? I would guess that they require the same testing/procedures as any other drug company.

@sleze69: "It was beaten into my by my parents who worked for pharmaceutical companies."

Do you think that this myth might have been drilled into their heads by the companies themselves?

According to FDA regulations, the drugs must contain the exact same amount of active ingredient, and must work in exactly the same way as the name brand drugs.

FDA Requirements for Generic Drugs

* Generic drugs must have the same active ingredients and the same labeled strength as the brand-name product.
* Generic drugs must have the same dosage form (for example, tablets, liquids) and must be administered in the same way.
* Generic drug manufacturers must show that a generic drug is bioequivalent to the brand-name drug, which means the generic version delivers the same amount of active ingredients into a patient's bloodstream in the same amount of time as the brand-name drug.
* Generic drug labeling must be essentially the same as the labeling of the brand-name drug.
* Generic drug manufacturers must fully document the generic drug's chemistry, manufacturing steps, and quality control measures.
* Firms must assure the FDA that the raw materials and finished product meet specifications of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, the organization that sets standards for drug purity in the United States.
* Firms must show that a generic drug will remain potent and unchanged until the expiration date on the label.
* Firms must comply with federal regulations for good manufacturing practices and provide the FDA a full description of facilities they use to manufacture, process, test, package, and label the drug. The FDA inspects manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance.

[www.fda.gov]
[www.fda.gov]
[www.montefiore.org]
[www.medicinenet.com]

The assumption that generics are in ANY way inferior to the name brand drugs is a myth.

@Jay Gonzz: Seriously dude, that second sentence of yours made me throw up in my mouth a little. It's still a little early for slurs and derogatory terms.

I wish I could get $4 prescriptions. Even my Generic is $65 a month. Damn Class 2 controlled substances. Never get any respect.

@Jay Gonzz: I'm straight and I hate on Wal-Mart from time to time.

So shut it.

@pika2000: I live in a major metropolitan area. There are only 2 independent pharmacies in my area, they are each about 8 miles from my home. They are not on my "approved" list from my insurance company, so using them I'd get little to no coverage. Meanwhile, there are multiple chain pharmacies within 2 miles, all "approved" and even a couple within walking distance. Tell me, where would you go?

@sleze69: @KStrike155: THANK YOU! I work in a pharmacy, and all the time, I deal with customers who insist that the brand name drug is somehow far superior to the generic, or have their doctor prescribe the brand name when there is a cheaper generic available. It's not like the FDA oversees brand names and the Chinese government oversees generics or something.

@chiieddy: Same exactly for me, at Kroger. I LOST my pills once (or they were stolen, not sure) and I needed a refill in a hurry. My insurance makes me fill routine meds through mail-order and I could not wait. My doc called Kroger and authorized a fill, no insurance involved, 90-day supply, in, out, ten dollars, thanks.

As an intern at a chain pharmacy I can offer a simple, simple solution. Don't pay for it.

Obviously there are some drugs that you should absolutely pay for, lik antibiotics, blood pressure meds, diabetes meds, nitro tablets, etc. Things that will most likely extend your life.

But then there's a host of other drugs that are just...crap. Most of these are controlled substances. I always smile when someone drops off a script for something like percocet and when I look at them to get their info, they smile. If you are able to do that, chances are you don't need what you've been prescribed. I've seen those in arm braces come in and that I can understand. But for everyone else I wish I could legally say, "Go take some damn tylenol."

So ask your doctor about the meds he prescribed and see if you can get him to priortize them in order of importance. The pharmacist will be able to tell you what the drug does, but without knowing what your doctor's expected outcomes are, we won't know exactly what to recommend.

You can easily find those $4 generics at the discount finder site www.medtipster.com, it was listed the other day on lifehacker, quite a site.

I actually work for target in the pharmacy. There are no restrictions on the list, you can download it from the website and it shows you the amount of tabs/caps that would cost $4 a month or $10 for 3 months.

We brought in a lot of customers that are on medicare part D, so we run their cheaper generics through cash so they can save their part d money for the more expenisve drugs that they must have and not go into their "donut hole".

Go to the target website take a look at the list and see if it works out for you. You can always call and we can give you a price over the phone also.

Good luck to all!

@pika2000: Paying the money at Wal-Mart (or the dozens of other places that have the same pricing policy) will encourage the others to fall into line and charge what the market will bear. It's not my duty to salve your social conscience with my money, friend.

@mkn1972: Wouldn't work for me. My insurance refuses to pay squat for routine meds unless I get the second and subsequent fills through mail order. It's quite reasonable, 10 dollars for 90 days per scrip, but it's a hassle if I lose (or someone takes) my pills.

@chiieddy: Awesome! glad that you take advantage of the plan. I hope they treat you as well as i treat my customers in my store!

Three years ago I gave up my BC/BS prescription coverage rider and went with mail order generic for one Rx, and overseas pharmacy for the other Rx I take only occasionally. The savings has been TREMENDOUS. The premium for my prescription coverage was basically a prepay of the two drugs at the non-generic US prices. Add the co-pay to that and I was truly paying a "premium" for my Rx.

@FreeShaggy: Good post. It also works to tell your doctor that, unless there is a compelling medical reason why not, you would choose a common, effective remedy that you can get as a generic over the latest fancy candy the pharm companies are pushing this week. Doctors understand this. My insurance refused to pay for Cipro once, and the infection was treated quite effectively by a covered antibiotic instead.

@FreeShaggy: If I can smile, it means I haven't run out of my pain medication yet.

Kindly to not be a judgmental idiot - some of us have pain symptoms which don't make us horribly disfigured or require gross external trauma.

@sleze69:
That is simply not true. FDA requires the generic to be exactly the same as the original. The only exception is thyroid medication, no one is sure yet exactly why there is a difference, even when the efficacy should be the same.

@Jay Gonzz: Walgreens and Target both have cheap OTC no name drugs for far less than $4. I bought a bottle of aspirin for about $2, a big bottle.

Hurricane season is starting up around here. There's the economy, various sorts of dissatisfied people running around causing trouble, and epidemics. Why is this relevant? Well, I'm not panicking, but I have made some preparations.

I'm on a couple of long-term meds that I would be in serious trouble without. Problem is, if I try to buy extra meds through my insurance company mail-order (required by my plan), they flatly refuse, claiming they absolutely can't fill until a certain period of time has gone by. Piss on them.

I explained what I wanted to my doctor, who relented and wrote a scrip after I pointed out that Amaryl was not exactly a drug of abuse, and I went out and got a three-month supply of affordable generics.

Somehow my insurance company got wind of this, and they are sending me double my medications, and billing me for them. I called them to tell them to knock it off, and they said that the doctor wrote a scrip for them, so they were going to dispense them whatever I said. OK, whatever.

@FreeShaggy: Just because someone doesn't have their arm in a sling or looks like death warmed over doesn't mean they don't have a major problem. There are tons of medical problems that can cause a massive amount of pain other that obvious injuries. Though I am a bit concerned about some of the doctors operating pain clinics as a front for hooking up drug abusers.