by Gabriel Levitt, Vice President, PharmacyChecker.com and Sam Werbalowsky, Pharmacychecker.com | Oct 11, 2012 | Drug Prices, Medication non-adherence
A major U.S. pharmacy has finally said that high drug prices are the biggest barrier to medication adherence. A recent study from CVS Caremark revealed that 62% of pharmacists said high drug prices are the most common cause of prescription nonadherence (not taking your meds) among their patients. Ninety-one percent of pharmacists said that cost efficient alternatives to expensive therapies would improve adherence.
While previous studies from the pharmaceutical and pharmacy industries have mentioned that that cost is a barrier to medication, this is the first industry study to our knowledge that says cost is the primary barrier. Oddly enough, the pharmacy industry, including CVS and Caremark, is one of the industries profiting from high drug prices.
High drug prices are bad for public health. Medication adherence is linked to 125,000 deaths and 290 billion dollars in excess health spending per year (hospitalizations and emergency room spending, among others). High drug prices cause a large part of this – 48 million Americans did not fill a prescription due to cost in 2010.
Americans – both as patients and taxpayers – deserve access to low cost medication. As patients, our health is on the line. As taxpayers we are funding hospital stays and emergency room visits. Lower drug prices are needed in America – and the benefits go beyond simply having extra cash in your pocket.
And as far as savings go, remember to ask your pharmacist how to save. Generic medications, discount cards, and coupons offer some savings. For brand name medications without generic alternatives, you’ll find the best savings at an online pharmacy. Just make sure it’s safe and credentialed, like those listed on PharmacyChecker.com. Whatever you do, don’t forgo needed prescription medication.
Tagged with: CVS Caremark, Drug Prices, Medication non-adherence, Online Pharmacy
by PharmacyChecker.com | Sep 20, 2012 | Drug Prices, Online Pharmacies, Prescription Drug Reports
Januvia is a top selling brand name medication used to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It should not be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis, as Januvia would have no effect for these conditions.1
With over two billion dollars spent on Januvia last year and an estimated 20 million Americans with type 2 diabetes, Americans want and need lower prices. Annual cost for Januvia (50 mg) at my local pharmacy in New York City is $3,070.88. And that’s after asking the pharmacist for a discount coupon: without their discount it would cost $4,788! Seventeen-hundred dollars sure is a lot to save, but you can do better much better by shopping from a verified international online pharmacy. In fact, you can save $2,473 a year! Check out the price chart:
Annual Cost of Januvia 50 mg
|
Price Per Year |
Savings over B&M Pharmacy |
Percent Savings |
| Local Pharmacy: |
$3,070.88 |
– |
– |
| Discount Card Option: |
$3,040.45 |
$30.43 |
1% |
| Coupon Option |
$2,911.32 |
$159.56 |
5% |
| U.S. Online Pharmacy: |
$2,703.00 |
$367.88 |
12% |
| International Online Pharmacy |
$597.60 |
$2,473.28 |
81% |
Local pharmacy in New York City, International Online Pharmacy price as found on PharmacyChecker.com. Prices collected 9/12/2012
If you need Januvia immediately, the best savings are found by using a coupon at the pharmacy. Once you have your temporary supply, you can then use an international online pharmacy. If you do, make sure the online pharmacy is approved by PharmacyChecker.com.
Here are some useful pages that compare prices for various strengths. As always, happy savings!
Januvia 25 mg prices
Januvia 50 mg prices
Januvia 100 mg savings
1FDA Januvia Medication Guide, http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM204269.pdf Accessed 9/20/2012
Tagged with: diabetes, Discount Cards, Januvia, Online Pharmacy, Pharmacy Discounts
by PharmacyChecker.com | Aug 31, 2012 | Drug Prices, Online Pharmacies, Prescription Drug Reports
Celebrex (celocoxib) is a top-selling brand name drug used to treat pain, tenderness, and stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis affecting the spine). It may also be used for primary dysmenorrhea, acute pain, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
For Americans paying for Celebrex out-of-pocket, the price is often out of reach. As shown below, at a local bricks and mortar pharmacy, the annual cost for Celebrex can be over $2,300. Fortunately, savvy consumers can save as much as 82% by shopping around.
Annual Cost of Celebrex 200 mg
|
Price Per Year |
Savings over B&M Pharmacy |
Percent Savings |
| Bricks and Mortar Pharmacy: |
$2,303.88 |
— |
— |
| Discount Card Option: |
$1,933.00 |
$370.88 |
16% |
| Coupon Option |
$1,935.00 |
$368.88 |
16% |
| U.S. Online Pharmacy: |
$1,750.32 |
$553.56 |
24% |
| International Online Pharmacy |
$421.78 |
$1,882.10 |
82% |
Prices collected 8/29/2012
If you are uninsured or have insurance with a pharmacy benefit plan that doesn’t cover Celebrex, your best savings option is to use a verified international online pharmacy. The cost for a full year supply of Celebrex – made by the same manufacturer that sells it in the U.S. – is only $421.78 from abroad. That’s an 82% discount over your local pharmacy – or $1,872 is annual savings! View Celebrex prices on PharmacyChecker.com. For some people, these savings mean the difference between taking and foregoing this important medicine.
If you need Celebrex immediately then you may want to look into drug discount cards or coupons, since shipping times from online pharmacies may be a few weeks. We’ve listed sample savings above, but be aware that not all drug discount cards or coupons offer the same savings. Your best bet is to look into a few different ones, and then compare their prices. And don’t be afraid to ask your local pharmacist about savings; he or she may have ideas to help you cut costs. When it comes time for refills, you can use an international online pharmacy to save the most.
Tagged with: Celebrex, Discount Cards, Drug Prices, Online Pharmacy
