Prices for our drugs

[vrystaat]

I haven't seen much discussion about the way we are being cheated by the Pharmaceutical Companies, Pharmacy Benefit Companies & Pharmacies.
My annual copay's have increased in the last 3 years from about $5000 per year and will be close to $25,000 this year.

I have Sjögren's Syndrome, with many additional problems, such as Polyneuritis and Polymyositis.
Recent large increases in the cost of these drugs have put me in a precarious situation. In this year, the situation is out of control.
Examples are:
- Lamictal (Lamotrigene) for muscle pain: was $25.20 , now $>$900
- Adderral: was $37, now $150
- Provigil: was $47, now $181 (in some stores, like Vons, >$1000)
- Restasis: was <$30 , now $141 (plain old cheating by Allergan)
- Ketorolac (Acular) eye drops for dry eye: was $12.63 , now $53
- Plaquenil 200 mg was $15.23 , now $85
- Tolterodine ER 2 mg Detrol LA; was $47, now >$250 (not for Sjögren's Syndrome)
- Pilocarpine $45, now $115

What can we do? Not much, but be visible and call your Congress member.
Most Canadian Pharmacies are 50-75% cheaper. I've never tried this, but reports are upbeat. Unfortunately, this is illegal.
Medicare Part D is pretty useless for the drugs we use.

[Deb 27]

Sorry your costs have gone up so much!!! That seems to be how it goes.

Can you switch to generics to save money? Usually generics are $10 a month. Some people shop to different pharmacies to see if they can save money.

Restasis has a coupon that you can get on their website online.  I would look and see if Lamictal has a co pay coupon as well.

Do you get your insurance through work or some other way?

[irish]

I am wondering if you have been in the donut hole with your scripts as that will drive the prices way up. Also, the employers are getting the cheapest insurance they can now so people are having the very high deductibles which will make the drugs go way up. I would first talk to your HR or the insurance benefits office at your employer to see if there is something you or they can do to lower your drug costs.I just paid well over 400$ for Restasis for 2 months supply or 2 boxes of 60. This is because I have a 450$ medication deductible. I am retired and on Medicare and supplement....

If you continue to have issues talk to pharmacists and even call the pharmaceutical company making a drug. Sometimes they have coupons or other ways to lower the cost. Good luck and just keep on searching for answers. Irish