Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 07:58 PM Jun 2014

$200 For A Tiny Bottle Of Eye Drops. Is It Made From Unicorn Tears?

WTF?

I live in NY and with Obamacare was able to get insured under Medicare. i opted to go through an insurance company that has a linked community plan. More doctors accept the insurance company's community plan than just Medicare straight.

They won't cover Alrex eye drops, though. I have to call Doctor's office with alternatives the insurers accept. Which is fine. I can wait a day.

But DAMN!

$200 for a tiny bottle of eye drops. I took back the prescription and bought a bottle of a lubricant to tide me over til tomorrow.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
2. what made my jaw drop was the cost of the eye drops. I looked at the ingredients. No unicorn tears.
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:00 PM
Jun 2014

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
4. Opthalmologists are especially prone to the drug-of-the-month club
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:10 PM
Jun 2014

I don't know whether they just got a sales pitch from some pharmacy rep or they keep switching to newer antibiotics to keep ahead of the bugs, but my surgeon knew I was uninsured and prescribed last year's drug against his better judgment and it was still $170. It also killed any bugs for the first month it took for the transplant to be covered by sclera.

You won't be on the antibiotics long term, that's the only good part.

Those tiny bottles are part of what drives the cost. They not only have to meet the same dosage and purity requirements of other drugs, they have to be sterile, also.

They do nail you on the price and even old drugs like gentamicin for eyes are expensive.

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
11. Should have looked it up, I guess
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:37 PM
Jun 2014

Don't the OTC antihistamine drops help you? They keep me from wanting to claw my eyes out and don't have the huge list of warnings on them.

Eye drugs on patent are all hideously expensive, for the reasons I cited.

WhiteTara

(29,676 posts)
5. how about $800 for psorias cream?
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:11 PM
Jun 2014

Yep, that was just the co pay! And they wanted $600 for hair lotion! Yikes...no, I just used the samples and didn't bother with the script.

GusBob

(7,286 posts)
6. fortunately there are alternates depending on your situation
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:21 PM
Jun 2014

They cost less but don't work as well and you may have to take it more.
That does seem excessively high. Shop around

Its no drug of the month though. That baby there I call liquid gold and a great discovery. It brings great relief to a great number of miserable conditions and quickly. I have seen it take effect within 5 minutes which isnearly unheard of in topical ophthalmic therapeutic pharmaceuticals

silverweb

(16,402 posts)
8. Absolutely highway robbery.
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:25 PM
Jun 2014

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]According to the PDR: "Alrex is used for the temporary relief of signs and symptoms associated with seasonal allergies (allergic conjunctivitis)."

Get some over-the-counter Opcon-A for the same symptoms and made by the same company for a fraction of the price. It works just fine. I got mine at Costco for under $7.

Texasgal

(17,029 posts)
10. Occular drops are the worst when it comes to cost!
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:27 PM
Jun 2014

I'd try and OTC allergy drop and see how you do. I feel your pain.

ETA: Most of these problems can be cleared up with a medicated wipe such as Occusoft lid wipes. http://www.ocusoft.com/Featured-Products-OCUSOFT-LID-SCRUB-ORIGINAL-PRE-MOISTENED-PADS-30-CTN--P4362.aspx

Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
12. My Druggist recommended...
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 08:51 PM
Jun 2014

Alaway from Baush & Lomb, its an antihistamine. Its over the counter. It works great I get eyes that I want to take a can opener to. I wear contacts so it makes it worse from April - June.

http://www.bausch.com/our-products/allergy-redness-relief/alaway-eye-drops/

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»$200 For A Tiny Bottle Of...