Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Thank you

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Drug companies are allowed to market directly to consumers in the US - not true in most countries. For an interesting exercise, use the GoodRx Ap to look up the prices of the medications you see advertised on TV. You will be shocked. The new oral medications for Type 2 diabetes (not needing insulin) can be as much as $900 per month. All of the biologic injectables for psoriasis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc, run about $4,000 per month. Humira has played legal games and has extended its patent way beyond what should have been the limit. They put a smaller needle and a different chemical buffer in it so that it doesn't sting so much - but they continue to sting you at the pharmacy because there is no generic which would have been thousands of dollars cheaper. Of course, a big part of the problem in the US is that the people who vote generally have health insurance and have no clue how much their medications actually cost. I had a patient complain about their $80 copayment for their leukemia tablet. They were very surprised when I showed them on GoodRx that the actual monthly cost of that medication - for 30 pills - was OVER $9,000!

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

I wasn’t criticizing Admin but I always thought that in the attic anything goes. I was just surprised that it was removed from chit-chat. I don’t subscribe to the attic and I thought there might be a lot more here that don’t.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

I expect there is a lot of money that changes hands with so much at stake for the pharma companies.

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

Thank you although I have to say that it's been a year since he passed away so if it's a recent story it's not likely him but that is even worse since it also indicates that this happens all too often in this country.

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

My wife is an insulin resistant diabetic, but still requires insulin injections. However, she is on a new medication which has virtually eliminated the use of insulin (if she watches her diet). The new drug has side effects, but a company representative calls once a month to monitor her progress, and she still needs a blood test every month. It is truly a miracle drug, but it has one drawback: It costs $16,000.00 a month, and medicare won't pay for it. However, there is an advantage to being poor. We are in a program the company has that if you are under a certain percentage of the National poverty level, the drug is FREE! I generally dislike big pharma, but I love this company!

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

Unfortunately they didn't have any programs available in time to save our son
He was on insulin which he was not able to afford so he had to ration his insulin right up until the end.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

👍👍👍

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

So sorry for your loss. Wish I had contact before.

dakotacheryl Loc: Near Mt Rushmore

My sister in law gets her insulin through a 340B Community Health Center pharmacy. Her out of pocket cost is $8 per vial.

These pharmacies exist in every state.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Does she have insurance. I’m guessing she does.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

I cannot imagine having to ration something knowing that if I did I was going to die……nor can I imagine living in a country/state that lets that happen.

dakotacheryl Loc: Near Mt Rushmore

She does not have prescription drug coverage. She goes to a Community Health Center for her care and utilizes a 340B pharmacy. These type of facilities are available to low income patients whether or not they are on Medicaid or Medicare (A&B).

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

He said many times he wished he lived in someplace like Canada with their health care system although I know that yours has its own flaws too.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Was this person Type 1 or Type 2? If Type 1, I'm surprised this individual was not able to get Medicaid. If type 2, insulin can be purchased for $125/wk with no insurance. With insurance it should be much less.