NYT: Price Comparison for Drugs Is Put on Federal Web Site

Price Comparison for Drugs Is Put on Federal Web Site
By ROBERT PEAR

Published: September 16, 2004


WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 - Over objections from some drug companies, the Bush administration unveiled a new feature of a federal Web site on Wednesday comparing prices for similar brand-name drugs that can be used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and allergies.

The information, compiled originally for Medicare beneficiaries, is available to all consumers at www.medicare.gov.

Federal health officials said that doctors and patients could use the data to choose less expensive drugs providing benefits similar or identical to those of high-cost medications.

"We are creating greater competition among drug companies and giving seniors more power to compare prices and choose the lowest-cost medicine that's right for them," said Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of health and human services.

The new aid to consumers became available as President Bush and his Democratic opponent in the presidential race, Senator John Kerry, continued to fight over Medicare and the votes of millions of elderly people who rely on it for health insurance....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/16/politics/16drug.html

what great timing.
they could have done this the day they took office, if they really gave a crap about it.

it is no big deal. Actually, a particular drug I take used to be $86.00. In the booklet it states $166.00. All the pharms raised their prices before this "law" went into effect. Seniors are royally screwed.

that Canada cannot be trusted. Because the drugs may be coming from Nigeria or another third world country. He also said he and Senator Hatch toured Utah explaining in townhall meetings, how the new Medicare program worked and how it was to the senior citizen advantage to save money by this wonderful program that junior has given them.

Talk about two vultures circling the wagons in Utah!

a genuine crock shocker.

Did anyone every hear Bennett say anything about Bob Novak on the spy thingy? I didn't.

Wow. This is good news for all those seniors out there who want to know exactly how much they're saving by reimporting their drugs through Canada.

One client of mine was able to get a whole year's supply of his heart medication for a third of what it would have cost him at Walmart.