Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on July 11, 2007, 06:37:03 AM

Title: Prescription Drug Price Finder
Post by: Henry on July 11, 2007, 06:37:03 AM

Hi All,

For most people, it really makes little difference what the drug prices are.  In my case, any long term medications, I have to order from Merk Medco as that is what my IBM Prescription Plan dictates.  For short term, one time prescriptions, I always get those at Rick's Fairfax Pharmacy.  Not all medications are on the list either.  I did take one of the more expensive medications that I take and did a comparison.  This was for Lipitor 20mg - 30 Day Supply

I did the Franklin County Search.  I pay $100.27 for 30 from Merk Medco.  The Franklin County Search showed $116.37 to $168.80, so there is a variation from drug store to drug store definitely.

Below is the link to click on to check medications and what various drug stores charge:

http://www.atg.state.vt.us/display.php?smod=185

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Title: Re: Prescription Drug Price Finder
Post by: NorthFairfaxBoy on July 11, 2007, 07:12:03 AM

Simply amazing at the differences in prices.  I need special eye drops and pay (with my insurance) $25 for a small bottle that lasts about a month.  My local drug store is in the middle on prices.  Guess I'll continue to get it there!

Title: Re: Prescription Drug Price Finder
Post by: rhogle on July 11, 2007, 03:28:45 PM

The prescription price finder is really poorly designed and somewhat irrelevant.  It will only show a price on a searched medication if the pharmacy billed that particular medication in the most commonly prescribed quantity to one of the state medicaid programs.  Add to that these two facts-less than 5% of patients needing medications pays a cash price AND the insurance company and the state DO NOT PAY THE BILLED CASH PRICE. They pay within pennies of the same amount to all pharmacies based on contracts signed by those pharmacies. Even patients with a HSA (health savings account) credit card pay the contracted price. A customer using an insurance card rarely saves the insurance company any money by searching for the lowest cash price unless it is in the case of generics that are in the $5 to $10 range.  Actually the insurance companies and state medicaid programs make more money with rebates they receive from brand name companies on "preferred brands".  They have placed my pharmacy in the Chittenden County search engine and in checking out the site I find my prices are favorable, however, choosing a pharmacy on price alone should not be the only criteria a patient uses.  Most pharmacies are more than willing to price out prescriptions for patients paying cash.  When patients request pricing on prescriptions billed to insurance companies it is really difficult to tell since the prescription must be transmitted to the insurance company before we know the patient pay amount.