When you lose count of how many folks have the same suspicion about a prescription medication, action is compulsory. Joe and Teresa Graedon, founders of The People’s Pharmacy, not only have an admirable track record of telling health consumers how it is, but also listening to those in their readership. Years ago, they took on the Food and Drug Administration in regards to Budeprion XL distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, the supposed generic equivalent to the popular antidepressant, Wellbutrin XL. Many readers complained that it just wasn’t cutting it compared to the brand name version. In fact, many people reported that when they were switched to the Teva generic Wellbutrin XL, their depression returned.
The experience of one of the hundreds of readers that wrote to the People’s Pharmacy regarding Budeprion XL is as follows:
“I began having this sense of doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, crying episodes, dizziness, nausea and feel out of it. Finally, I put it together that this was related to the drug because when I wouldn’t take it I would begin to feel better. Not normal, but better. I have reported this to the FDA and will be seeing my doctor this week. I believe Budeprion XL is making me very sick and will not take it ever again.”
So, what the heck happened with generic Budeprion XL?
Apparently, the FDA had approved Budeprion XL 300mg after undergoing no actual testing. Instead, they relied upon results of Budeprion XL 150mg. So, the Graedons spoke up! In fact, they asked ConsumerLab.com, sister company to PharmacyChecker, to test the product. Sure enough, ConsumerLab.com discovered that the 300mg version was clearly not bioequivalent. Several years later, the FDA ordered bioequivalence tests and finally, through those results, which found, like ConsumerLab.com did, that the People’s Pharmacy was right, and forced the drug off the market.
As of February 2020, the Graedons say there is no authorized generic version (i.e., a generic with the exact same formulation as the brand) of Wellbutrin XL available.
What can people do about their depression now?
If you weren’t familiar with our prescription prices hellscape, you may say “That’s scary, but now that you know, what’s the big deal? Just switch back to the brand!” Ah, but life — and its inevitable financial hurdles — isn’t so rosy. Wellbutrin XL 300mg sold at U.S. pharmacies, like Walgreens or CVS, costs more than $2,000 out-of-pocket for just a month’s supply.
“So use insurance!” — Not so fast. Of our most merciful health insurance companies, few are willing to cough up the cost of expensive brand meds when there’s an FDA-approved generic on the market. Despite the small but mighty uproar on lack of true generic equivalence, this is the case with Wellbutrin. Your insurance company likely covers the ineffective generic Budeprion XL (people are still complaining about it) and not the brand.
I’ll cut to the chase: Wellbutrin XL 300mg is available to order from Canadian pharmacies for 97% cheaper than it’s sold in the U.S. And it’s the exact same medication. Actually, that expensive Wellbutrin XL sold in U.S. pharmacies is manufactured and sold in Canada as well.
Wellbutrin XL is sold in other countries besides Canada, although we would like to point out that one PharmacyChecker-accredited international pharmacy’s website notes that it’s manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. If you decide to order internationally, you can always ask the pharmacist to tell you 1) exactly where your medication is manufactured; and 2) where the dispensing pharmacy is located.
Comparing Wellbutrin XL Costs & Manufacturing in the U.S. vs. Canada vs. Other International Pharmacies | ||||
| Drug Name Strength Quantity | Average U.S. Retail Price | Lowest Canadian Price | Lowest International Price | Savings through Accredited International Pharmacies |
| Wellbutrin XL 300mg 30 tablets | $2,191.20 Product of Canada; Manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceuticals | $60.00* Product of Canada; Manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceuticals | $42.90 Product of Turkey; Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline | 98% |
Prices collected February 2020 for quantity of 30 tablets | Average U.S. Retail Price from GoodRX | *As the Canadian-based pharmacies only offer quantities in 90 or 180 tablet packages, this price was calculated based on the 90-day supply price.
Below are U.S. pharmacy labels of Wellbutrin XL 150mg and 300mg.
In their regular column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from health consumers. Write to Joe and Teresa Graedon via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
I have been on brand name Wellbutrin for 10 years. I don’t have commercial insurance and have used the Wellbutrin web site to get the drug (NAME BRAND) for $5 for years. Suddenly, this year, the company will not provide that UNLESS you have commercial insurance or Obamacare. Is there a way to get this drug from Canada while living in the US??? I am a counselor myself and have recommended it to others for years.
Hi Kathy — You can compare prices for Wellbutrin (bupropion) among accredited international online pharmacies here: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/bupropion/?sort=cost_per_unit
It’s not Obamacare in 2020. Since 2016 it’s trumpcare. Both are stupid names. It was the aca and the truncated aca, respectively. Drive to Canada. Vote for politicians who cap pharmaceutical prices like every other country in the world
No sorry these crazy prices have started up with Biden not
Trump! I have the same issue with this med as the OP.
This has been going on for a long long time. I’ve been on Wellbutrin for 20 years. 15 years ago, when ALL insurance started demanding Ipeople take generic Wellbutrin, the brand name was more than $5,000 a month! The problem, in addition to the generic of the drug not working, is the patent they’re allowed to keep on it. Big pharma pockets billions in profits every year. They’re simply legalized mafioso.
This has been going on for a long long time. I’ve been on Wellbutrin for 20 years. 15 years ago, when ALL insurance started demanding Ipeople take generic Wellbutrin, the brand name was more than $5,000 a month! The problem, in addition to the generic of the drug not working, is the patent they’re allowed to keep on the coating that allows the drug to be evenly distributed for 24 hours. The generic dumps drug, stops, releases, etc. Big pharma pockets billions in profits every year. They’re simply legalized mafioso.
Buproprion
Is there any Canadian pharmacy that will fill name brand Wellbutrin XL 300mg at a cost lower than here in the US?
Hi Sandra– You can compare prices among international online pharmacies via this link: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/wellbutrin+xl/300+mg/?sort=cost_per_unit It appears there are options as much as 98% cheaper than US pharmacy prices. Let me know should you have any questions.
Can you fill a prescription written in the United States with the Canadian pharmacy by mail?
Hi Robin– U.S. prescriptions received by a Canadian pharmacy must be approved by a Canadian physician, who issues a Canadian prescription, prior to it being filled. This practice is often referred to as cosigning. We view the cosigning process as an additional review of the patient’s health profile by a licensed practitioner to determine the suitability of the recommended treatment. PharmacyChecker-accredited Canadian pharmacies are among those that accept a U.S. prescription that is then approved by a Canadian physician.
To be clear, a patient or doctor in the U.S. only has to send a prescription. You do not need to worry about finding a Canadian practitioner. The pharmacy will take care of the approval process from there.
How does one get a Canadian physician to cosign a prescription written in the United States?
Hi Kate — Canadian pharmacies work with Canadian doctors to facilitate the processing of a valid, U.S. prescription. When the U.S. doctor sends the prescription to the pharmacy in Canada, it is then reviewed by a Canadian physician. Based on that review, which includes the patient’s medical information, a Canadian prescription is written. This practice is often referred to as “cosigning.” We view the cosigning process as an additional review of the patient’s health profile by a licensed practitioner to determine the suitability of the recommended treatment.
Please see our post regarding sending a prescription to a pharmacy in Canada: https://www.pharmacychecker.com/askpc/can-us-doctors-send-prescriptions-to-canada/