Brand Name Medications Savings Often Exceed 90% Using International Online Pharmacies but FDA Rule May Threaten Access
“Abstract pills” by Robson – Flickr
We issued a press release yesterday about our new drug price savings analysis, which shows that consumers can save 84% on average among a basket of 10 popular branded maintenance medications if purchased from verified international online pharmacies instead of local U.S. pharmacies. Many of the savings are over 90%! The greatest savings is 94% for the acid-blocking drug Nexium ($946.50 in the U.S. vs. $53.09 online for a three month supply of 40 mg pills) and the cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor ($803.89 vs. $51.40 – 20 mg pills). The greatest dollar savings is for the antipsychotic drug Abilify ($3,178.99 vs. $237.05 – 10 mg pills). The average annual savings per drug is $3,479. Despite this, last month, the U.S. FDA announced a “new rule” regarding its expanded authority to destroy personally imported medicine under Section 708 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety Act of 2012. Several members of congress have raised concern that FDA’s rules may impede access to affordable medication. [1]
The FDA says that its new regulation is meant to protect patients from unsafe medications and counterfeit drugs but the agency doesn’t seem to say how they will distinguish safe from potentially unsafe personal drug imports.
For the full press release, click here.
| Drug | Local U.S. Pharmacy Price | International Online Pharmacy Price* | International Online Savings | Annual Savings |
| Nexium 40mg | $946.50 | $53.09 | 94% | $3,573.64 |
| Crestor 20mg | $803.89 | $51.40 | 94% | $3,009.96 |
| Abilify 10mg | $3,178.99 | $237.05 | 93% | $11,767.75 |
| Advair Diskus 250/50mcg (180 doses) | $1,203.00 | $99.99 | 92% | $4,412.04 |
| Spiriva Handihaler 18mcg | $1,221.00 | $113.99 | 91% | $4,428.04 |
| Diovan 80mg | $611.99 | $57.85 | 91% | $2,216.56 |
| Synthroid 100mcg | $137.99 | $26.99 | 80% | $444.00 |
| Jardiance 10mg | $1,150.00 | $287.99 | 75% | $3,448.04 |
| Ventolin HFA 100mcg | $192.00 | $68.82 | 64% | $492.72 |
| Lantus Solostar 15ml | $397.89 | $148.94 | 63% | $995.80 |
| Average | $984.33 | $114.62 | 84% | $3,478.85 |
Sources: Local pharmacy prices based on prices at chain drugstores in New York City; International online pharmacy prices based on lowest prices listed on PharmacyChecker.com. All prices obtained on September 30, 2015.
*Medications dispensed by licensed pharmacies, verified by PharmacyChecker.com, in one of the following countries Australia, Barbados, Canada, India, Mauritius, New Zealand, Turkey, Singapore, or United Kingdom.
[1] U.S. Senator David Vitter, “Vitter Fights to Keep Prescription Drug Prices Affordable Through Reimportation,” July 9, 2014 [press release], see [www] vitter.senate.gov/newsroom/press/vitter-fights-to-keep-prescription-drug-prices-affordablethrough-reimportation [Last accessed 9/20/14]. 38 Representative JoAnn Emerson (MO), “Food and Drug Administration Reform Act.” May 30th 2012. See [www] votesmart.org/public-statement/702416/food-and-drug-administration-reform-act-of-2012#.UxVJN-co4s9 [Last accessed 9/22/14]. Letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by Congressman Keith Ellison dated July 1st, 2014. See See [www] regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2014-N-0504-0022.
