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Unknown Beatle

(2,672 posts)
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 03:18 PM Oct 2015

I was paying eight dollars on my insurance covered generic medication.

Yesterday I got a big surprise when the pharmacist told me that it had increased to $36.86, with my insurance covering the rest. Huh? The rest? How much did it increase? 600 - 800% was what he told me. And he added that the pharmacy was still giving me a discount until people know about the increase, and then they'll start charging according to the new price.

The company that makes generic enalapril increased the price 600 - 800%! WTF? Generic enalapril has been on the market at least for the past twenty years and all of a sudden the company gets greedy. Said company is Merck & Co. Greedy assholes!


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I was paying eight dollars on my insurance covered generic medication. (Original Post) Unknown Beatle Oct 2015 OP
trying to get off all pharma drugs KT2000 Oct 2015 #1
I freaked out when I went to refill one of my meds. Generic was $75 per vial and LiberalArkie Oct 2015 #2
and republicans want LESS regulation...you know, let the market decide.... spanone Oct 2015 #3
Discuss alternative medications with your doctor csziggy Oct 2015 #4
Thnk you for the link, csziggy. Unknown Beatle Oct 2015 #5
It does vary - sometimes there are no better prices csziggy Oct 2015 #6

KT2000

(20,544 posts)
1. trying to get off all pharma drugs
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 03:53 PM
Oct 2015

and take the consequences as my 2 pharma drugs have increased. One is digoxin (generic) which was first formulated in 1785 and they decided to charge what the market will bear when most manufacturers dropped out. At this point I am just glad I did not take most of the drugs recommended to me.

What are doctors going to do when patients inform them that they cannot afford pharma drugs. Will they be prepared with alternatives or just send them away?

LiberalArkie

(15,686 posts)
2. I freaked out when I went to refill one of my meds. Generic was $75 per vial and
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 03:53 PM
Oct 2015

the name brand non-generic Upjohn was $52. I did a double take.

spanone

(135,632 posts)
3. and republicans want LESS regulation...you know, let the market decide....
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 03:55 PM
Oct 2015

it's called gouging...with your life on the line.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
4. Discuss alternative medications with your doctor
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 04:07 PM
Oct 2015

There may be similar drugs that have not had this increase. For instance on http://www.drugs.com/enalapril.html they list lisinopril as a similar drug - my husband takes that for his blood pressure and the pharmacy charges nothing for it. But talk to your doctor and maybe you can change medications.

If that doesn't work, try GoodRx.com - for one of my medications that would cost almost $290 per month I found it through GoodRx.com for about $30 per month from a different pharmacy. In my area they show Enalapril for between $9 and $30 depending on pharmacy and coupons. Some of the lower prices don't even use the GoodRx discounts.

Unknown Beatle

(2,672 posts)
5. Thnk you for the link, csziggy.
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 04:53 PM
Oct 2015

I'll be using GoodRX from now on as I take three types of medication and I'm sure I'll find a better price.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
6. It does vary - sometimes there are no better prices
Fri Oct 23, 2015, 05:22 PM
Oct 2015

My sister has one that is almost $600 a month and GoodRx couldn't get her a better deal. It just depends on the particular medicine.

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