Generic drugs don't necessarily mean low prices

General
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Generic drugs don't necessarily mean low prices
Megan Thompson reports on the surprising disparity in pricing for generic drugs. (10:18)
Please watch the video on this page.
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Wow, this is somewhere between astonishing and sickening!

To add to this, my Doctor had told me that a generic drug can vary as being up to a 30% swing of either higher or lower quality/dosage than the name brand drug. So when he wrote the prescription out, I checked with the Pharmacist and they looked up the manufacturer and the variance for me, it was 2% if I remember correctly and the cost savings was over $100.00. For me to purchase a med, I pay a 25% co-pay, so imagine the out of pocket FULL PRICE!

I did not compare this to any other drug store, but I would imagine the Pharmaceutical company another drug store might use could be closer to 30% weaker or stronger, and when you are dealing with morphine, well, you cannot afford that kind of variance!

I use a neighborhood pharmacy and the cost compared to CVS is fantastic! I was in there the other day for soap and mouthwash for my mom, and their prices were astronomical, I went down the street and found name brand products at the Dollar Tree!

Thanks Scott, this is valuable, and I may post it on the mod site to have as a reference!

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Wow, now I read SK's first sentence and echo it.

The world is changing rapidly and we must be more aggressive about researching and asking questions and pushing with questions. That is not how I was brought up, but from being a single parent for many(40) years I have found that I must ask questions. But the cost of generic drugs is not something that I was aware of that had such a large discrepancy in price.

Thank you Scott for providing this video for us to watch.

I am now wondering if there is a difference in prices of brand name drugs. I live in a small town with only two pharmacies. I started with the one pharmacy when I moved to this town 44 years ago and I have continued with it. However, both Pharmacies have recently changed ownership. I wonder if there is a difference in what they charge for their drugs.

I have just spent time on the phone today straightening out two problems with pricing. The answers I got were rather interesting but their flattery didn't stop me from pushing for the truth which saved me a chunk of money on the one bill.

I think of the elderly seniors and how this affects them.

Thanks again Scott.

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Good idea SK to post it on the Mod site so as to have it as a reference.

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Big Pharma lobbyist are as large as Big Oil. There will be a special place for these higher ups.

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THANKS SCOTT FOR THE VIDEO.I CANT BELIEVE THE PRICE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN PLACES.I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WE HAVE 4 PHARMACIES IN TOWN.3 ARE CHAIN STORES SHOPKO HYVEE AND WALGREEN.THE OTHER IS A LOCALFAMILY OWNED INDEPENDANT CALLED RADHIDS.THATS MY PHARMACY.THE ONLY MEDICINE I REGULARLY TAKE IS LEVOTHYROZINE. I DID HAVE BLUECROSS/BLUESHIELD BEFORE I RETIRED BUT NOW I HAVE MEDICARE/MEDICAID.PREVIOUSLY IT WAS $4 NOW ITS $11.I HAVE SINUS INFECTION AND THE GENERIC AUGMENTINE AND OVER THE COUNTER MUCINEX DM IS $79.TODAY HE PERSCRIBED PREDNISONE AND GENERIC PRILOSEC.I ALSO BOUGHT MORE MUCINEX DM OT WAS $42.IVE ALWAYS USED THE INDEPENDENT PHARMACIES IN TOWN.IF I NEED A PERSCRIPTION AFTER HOURS I CALL AND GET IT.THE OTHER 3 WONT DO THAT.

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Hey SK,

I found it interesting that you mentioned CVS. I feel the same way. For one of my prescriptions (before I had ins), CVS was $20.00 more than what I had to pay at a different pharmacy. As the old saying goes - it's better to shop around. :)