High Cost of Prescriptions

[dtknowles]

http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2014/09/clash_between_state_drugmaker.html

They have a treatment for Hepatitis C but it costs $84,000, 3.2 Million people have Hepatitis C so it would cost $270 Billion dollars to treat them with this new cure. The drug company says that would be cheaper than treating them for other costly illnesses and complications. Hep C eventually causes liver failure and may lead to cancer or other life-threatening conditions.

I can't imagine that ObamaCare or any sort of plan that anyone has come up with will fix the affordability of care or insurance problem we will face as the drug companies and medical establishment keep coming up with miracles.

Everyone has to die of something and why should the tax payers be on the hook for such extraordinary measures. When you finally run out of insurance and money, the government will pick up the tab.

Tim

[TXGunNut]

Yes, some new wonder drugs are truly wonderful. Some pretty much suck. I was on one of the new BP wonder drugs last year; somehow I had a rough bout with vestibular vertigo and extreme fatigue. On top of that had to endure a few CT scans and a PET scan for precautionary reasons. Doc blew me off when I complained about the vertigo and fatigue. Lung specialist (family friend) looked over my chart and took me off the wonder drugs. Fired the GP doc before he killed me! Feeling much better and spending lots less on prescriptions.

[Goatwhiskers]

Doc found that I have started arthritis in my knee. Prescribed some new wonder drug, darn stuff costs $935 for a 1 month supply. Good thing I retired with good insurance. Guess what? The stuff seems to have to effect at all! GW

[DLCTEX]

My doctor put me on Eloquis blood thinner after having an ablation done on my heart in Febuary. That stuff almost killed me and had me down in bed until late June when I decided it was the medication. I quit taking it and was much better in a day, but it took two months to build my strength back to where I could work a full day. Statin drugs for chloresterol also kick my butt and I refuse to take them anymore.

[MrWolf]

I tried three different statins to lower my cholesterol about 40 points. Finally told doc I am more likely to get Alzheimers than a heart attack and wont take them anymore. Damn side effects were painful.

[sparky45]

Just remember: At least 50% of medical school graduates are only smart enough to be in the bottom half of their class.

[mold maker]

And the Doc you take your dog to, has lots more education than your Dr. Many Family Docs are dropouts from veterinary school.

[MT Gianni]

Just remember: At least 50% of medical school graduates are only smart enough to be in the bottom half of their class.
It isn't the Doc's driving this haywagon but the pill pushing drug companies and their reps. Many do wonders but the cost of the worlds drug development are paid for with the US insurance plans. The same drugs in Mexico or Canada are usually a fraction of that. You can thank our two largest unions [AMA and ABA] for that.

[HeavyMetal]

Ya not sure most of these drugs get as much testing as we'd like to see before they are released to the public, add in the "push" drug companies have to get Doc's to write scrip's for thier "hot tip" of the day and one wonders who is at risk here?

The other thing I wish to remind the OP about: when it comes to the Government picking up the Tab? We, the tax payer, are the government in that case and it still costs us for the medical costs in the end.

Not sure complaining to the Government adds any fuel to control drug companies but we need to continue to complain! They get grants and research donations from all kinds of charity drives then pass R&D "costs" on to the consumer as well?

Way Wrong deal IMO!

However it is corperate America driving the money wagon that makes these decisions, look at your credit cards, did you know that not only are you paying a percentage to use credit but the card companies also charge the vendor you buy from to use your card?

Usually to the tune of 4% per purchase!

One of the reasons I don't sell on E bay or have a PayPal account!

I'll get off my soap box now, just wanted to show some food for thought.

[daniel lawecki]

My wife and I both work my cost right now is a $10.00 co-pay. My new knee shots require me to have a ultrasound scan to inject the Euflexxa Drug in the joint. When my wife retires in 2016 my insurance sucks my doesn't cover most of my type 2 Diabetes or much of scripts. three shots in three weeks are to last 6 months but this is the first time for the new to me drug. the last 2 years have been cortisone shots which did nothing for me. So like the rest of you I'm getting a little worried.

[fatelk]

My young son has juvenile arthritis and takes a fairly new $20k/yr "wonder drug". He's able to run and play for the most part like a normal 8yo boy. His symptoms are so bad without it that he would be crippled and possibly blind. It's the possible (very unlikely but possible) side effects that worry me.

[steamerjames]

My wifes new doctor tried to get her to use the "new" insulin pen, cost $1,000 per pen, he said "do not worry, medicare will pay for it". She said "@ $1,000 per month, I will be in the donut hole in three months and then I will have to pay all of it". Since she is disabilited how can she pay $1,000 per month? That is twice her rent here in TX. She finally changed his mind, what an Idiot.. I am glad he moved so we now have a new doctor.

[country gent]

The rebiff injection for my MS is $5000.00 a month But it does control it very well. Self Injection 3 times a week. All my other meds I get 3 month supply but the ribiff is only allowed 1 month at a time.

[dtknowles]

My young son has juvenile arthritis and takes a fairly new $20k/yr "wonder drug". He's able to run and play for the most part like a normal 8yo boy. His symptoms are so bad without it that he would be crippled and possibly blind. It's the possible (very unlikely but possible) side effects that worry me.

Do you pay for his meds out of pocket? If he lives to be 58 that will be a million dollars for that one drug. I know he is worth it to you and as he gets older maybe he can pay for his own meds.

Medical Insurance is turning into a Ponzi scheme. Unless you die quickly without other medical problems we will all have huge medical expenses because the Doctors and Drug companies would not have it any other way. It is how they pay their bills. The idea of insurance is the premiums of the people who don't have claims pay for people who have big claims. If almost all of us have big claims then the premiums need to almost match the cost of care. That is not insurance it is prepaying for your care.

Don't feel like I am pointing the finger. My deceased wife had type 1 diabetes from age 8, the medical expense for just the 25 years we were together were millions of dollars, I paid maybe a hundred thousand or so out of pocket. Before we got married her family, the insurance and the government paid I don't know how much.

Tim

[cliff55]

Chronic luekima, 10,984.00 a month for medicartion. Not a cure but a control

[jcwit]

Just remember: At least 50% of medical school graduates are only smart enough to be in the bottom half of their class.

That holds true with all professions that require an education.

[jcwit]

Chronic luekima, 10,984.00 a month for medicartion. Not a cure but a control

Been there done that approx. 15 years ago, been in remission ever since. Life is good.

BTW, did this with no insurance.

[TXGunNut]

It isn't the Doc's driving this haywagon but the pill pushing drug companies and their reps. Many do wonders but the cost of the worlds drug development are paid for with the US insurance plans. The same drugs in Mexico or Canada are usually a fraction of that. You can thank our two largest unions [AMA and ABA] for that.

Amen, brother! Insurance companies are more than happy to pass their costs on to policyholders so guess who gets to pay for all these wonderdrugs?
It irks me to cool my heels in a waiting room while the drug reps walk right in to meet with the docs. I have benefitted from the free samples more than once but it still bothers me. I don't spend much on prescriptions now but I see the bills for my mom's scrips, working real hard to stay healthy because I can't imagine spending that much for my own pills.

[Garyshome]

I had some outpatient surgery a couple of months ago and no one there could believe that I wasn't taking some kind of prescription for something or other.
They said the average patient was taking about 6 different kinds pf prescriptions.

[Rick45Colt]

For high cholesterol I take Chinese Red Rice Yeast Extract. 100% natural and no side effects. My GP recommend it when I said no to the statins.

[TXGunNut]

That holds true with all professions that require an education.

A bit like the joke about what you call the person who graduates last in his class from West Point. I have little doubt about the quality of education most docs receive, I just think many of them don't share the same goals and concerns that I do.

[sparky45]

It isn't the Doc's driving this haywagon but the pill pushing drug companies and their reps. Many do wonders but the cost of the worlds drug development are paid for with the US insurance plans. The same drugs in Mexico or Canada are usually a fraction of that. You can thank our two largest unions [AMA and ABA] for that.


Don't worry ACA's got your 6.

[snowwolfe]

Just remember: At least 50% of medical school graduates are only smart enough to be in the bottom half of their class.

What do you call the person who graduates last in his/her medical school?
Doctor. Who was first or last doesn't mean squat to me. Good bedside manners and listening and working with patients is way more important. I worked in a hospital setting for 21 years while in the Air Force and can tell you for certain a physicians ranking in college has zero to do with their ability to treat and manage patients.

[fatelk]

Do you pay for his meds out of pocket? If he lives to be 58 that will be a million dollars for that one drug. I know he is worth it to you and as he gets older maybe he can pay for his own meds.

I have pretty good insurance through work; our cost is a tiny fraction of that $20k. He has a decent chance of outgrowing JIA completely, about half do by adulthood. The other half do their best to control the symptoms and it really has no effect on lifespan. Had he been born a decade or so earlier he would be crippled to some degree. The lesser drugs they use to control it either didn't work for him or damaged his liver.

[leeggen]

Insurance cost a a real pain and expense, but aren't you glad you have it! We could be paying for all the scripts and treatments out of our own pocket. A friend does that and a 1500 dollar scan will cost him about 700dollars cash, just cause they don't have to file ins. papers for him. Doesn't make sense but it is what it is and we all have to make the best of it. Thankfully I have VA helping me. Medical expenses pricing is just rediculus. Best of care to all.
CD

[garym1a2]

I learn the same thing in engineering. High grades from a good school does not mean you can design. When it comes to drugs i always try the generaics first.

What do you call the person who graduates last in his/her medical school?
Doctor. Who was first or last doesn't mean squat to me. Good bedside manners and listening and working with patients is way more important. I worked in a hospital setting for 21 years while in the Air Force and can tell you for certain a physicians ranking in college has zero to do with their ability to treat and manage patients.

[MaryB]

Doc tried some new wonder drug on me for blood pressure, spiked my vit K level off the map messing with my coumadin, went back to the old standby amilodipene(sp) and back under control. Half the time I think they use us as the guinea pigs for these new drugs. Otherwise all I take are pain meds and lyrica to control the spine issues.

[TXGunNut]

In all honesty, Mary, I believe they know some drugs work sometimes and all they can do is try to find the drug that works for you. In my case high BP and BP meds have been around longer than I have but we still have to find one that works without disagreeable side effects. All drugs have side effects, just wish I was healthy enough to not need any. Too soon old, too late smart.

[jcwit]

Have taken 2 different blood pressure for years, all of a sudden last fall one of them caused me to retain potassium, which in high levels is not a good thing. Dr. took me off that med, and switched to another and all is well.

To not change would be deadly.

To ignore BP meds is deadlier.

Modern medicine is a wonderful thing, our longer quality of life is the best it has ever been.

To medicate one's self is as foolish as being one's own lawyer. IMO YMMV LOL




People can even have a reaction to eggs, milk, wheat, and they are as "NATURAL" as they come, heck my wife gets a reaction from fish.

[Harter66]

1 huge cost to medicine is the malpractice insurance. 20 yr ago a Family practice doc friend confided that his ins cost him flat rate 100k /yr and 1000 more per book patient over 125 patients. Another doc in OB was paying out 125k/yr for 75 or fewer patients and 2000 per over 75. I can only imagine that there is a similar insurance buffer for a pharma co.

My BP meds were $35 a month at CVS about 10 yr ago w/o ins. $5 /mo at the local Safeway w/ins. They would only fill 1 mo at a time even w/ a 90day fill order script. Now I get it w/o my ins for $11/3 month at Walmart. It pays to shop around. I know mine is chicken scratch comparatively but 11 vs 15 vs 105 is worth the effort for exactly the same script.

[dakotashooter2]

Think about this... A large amount of the money that is used to research diseases and develop many of these drugs comes from private donations and grants (government)...... Then they turn around and overcharge us for what we helped them develop. Honestly I'm really gun shy of most modern drugs. Every day there are a half dozen new adds for lawsuits for this drug or that................

[flydoc]

The high cost of 'medicine' has way too many factors at play to be able to explain it briefly. Branded medications are priced by the companies to whatever the market is felt it can bear, mostly to recoup development costs which are lengthy and costly, and during the time the drugs are being researched the patent on them is running out. The clock starts when the chemical is patented, not when it is approved for release by the FDA. New drugs are released after human trials determine they are at least as effective as older drugs, or safer, or novel in there effect. There are older and well-understood generics out there that could not be approved these days as they are more dangerous and less effective as modern ones, but have become " standards of care" historically, such as coumadin (warfarin) , an anticoagulant. Docs are pressured by the government medicine folks ( medicare, public aid) to prescribe certain drugs for certain conditions now as it is seen as a treatment standard that they now use to " grade " the doctors performance in treating those patients, such as giving ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers to every person with congestive heart failure, or aspirin and beta-blockers to every angina patient, or metformin and ACEs to every diabetic. Failure to prescribe these will result in a poor performance grade in a category now called " meaningful use" that they will use to determine how much of the doctors bill will actually get paid. In other words, failure to adhere to their cookbook approach will decrease the docs income. Failure to prescribe medications electronically results in a pay reduction from medicare to the docs. Electronic medical records, which can cost a practicing physician $20-30,00 to implement, are required. You can thank the health information/ portability act for that one. I fear the health care system we had in the 70s and early 80s has declined in quality and become progressively more unaffordable and cumbersome, worsening with every government intervention, even as the ability to treat and cure conditions has exponentially expanded. We have a lot of social factors in our country that have kept us from seeing the improvements in quality and quantity of life that other countries have experienced, such as reduced recreational exercise, poorer diet, and smoking, that has given us a large population of people on numerous medications, and it is not uncommon for middle-aged people to be on a double-digit number of medications . We seem to have become a society that prefers taking a pill instead of changing our bad habits. As far as lawsuits go, you probably wont hear of many that involve generic medications because there is not any money to be made suing a generic company off-shore. I think most of those are too likely to be immune from suits or would not have the profits that would make it worthwhile to pursue by the attorneys, whereas the big makers are better targets. That's probably why there are so many " bad drug" ads for the new ones. These new blood thinners , for example, are statistically more effective and less dangerous than the old one(coumadin) but a bleed caused by the new ones is more likely to generate a lawsuit than the same complication on the old one , because it is considered a "standard of care". The whole thing is a big mess. Creates a bit of an ethical dilemma to be risking a lawsuit to prescribe something less effective and more dangerous . Its more important than ever to be a wise consumer ( patient) in today's world. Discuss the real risk/benefit aspects of any treatment and make as much as informed decision you can but don't rely on medicines to solve everything, because sometimes they give you problems you didn't have before. Have seen too many people taking a medication for a problem, and two more to counter the side effects of the first. Ask your doc if he/she would take what they are prescribing for you. The golden rule is still a good one .

[TXGunNut]

1 huge cost to medicine is the malpractice insurance. 20 yr ago a Family practice doc friend confided that his ins cost him flat rate 100k /yr and 1000 more per book patient over 125 patients. Another doc in OB was paying out 125k/yr for 75 or fewer patients and 2000 per over 75. -Harter66

Agreed, most folks have no idea. Hunted/shot with an awesome pediatrician awhile back; truly a world-class doc. He went into anaesthesiology because the malpractice premiums were too much to bear.

[MaryB]

One thing I was told about the new replacements for coumadin. If you need immediate surgery you cannot take a vitamin K pill like you can with coumadin and counteract it.


The high cost of 'medicine' has way too many factors at play to be able to explain it briefly. Branded medications are priced by the companies to whatever the market is felt it can bear, mostly to recoup development costs which are lengthy and costly, and during the time the drugs are being researched the patent on them is running out. The clock starts when the chemical is patented, not when it is approved for release by the FDA. New drugs are released after human trials determine they are at least as effective as older drugs, or safer, or novel in there effect. There are older and well-understood generics out there that could not be approved these days as they are more dangerous and less effective as modern ones, but have become " standards of care" historically, such as coumadin (warfarin) , an anticoagulant. Docs are pressured by the government medicine folks ( medicare, public aid) to prescribe certain drugs for certain conditions now as it is seen as a treatment standard that they now use to " grade " the doctors performance in treating those patients, such as giving ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers to every person with congestive heart failure, or aspirin and beta-blockers to every angina patient, or metformin and ACEs to every diabetic. Failure to prescribe these will result in a poor performance grade in a category now called " meaningful use" that they will use to determine how much of the doctors bill will actually get paid. In other words, failure to adhere to their cookbook approach will decrease the docs income. Failure to prescribe medications electronically results in a pay reduction from medicare to the docs. Electronic medical records, which can cost a practicing physician $20-30,00 to implement, are required. You can thank the health information/ portability act for that one. I fear the health care system we had in the 70s and early 80s has declined in quality and become progressively more unaffordable and cumbersome, worsening with every government intervention, even as the ability to treat and cure conditions has exponentially expanded. We have a lot of social factors in our country that have kept us from seeing the improvements in quality and quantity of life that other countries have experienced, such as reduced recreational exercise, poorer diet, and smoking, that has given us a large population of people on numerous medications, and it is not uncommon for middle-aged people to be on a double-digit number of medications . We seem to have become a society that prefers taking a pill instead of changing our bad habits. As far as lawsuits go, you probably wont hear of many that involve generic medications because there is not any money to be made suing a generic company off-shore. I think most of those are too likely to be immune from suits or would not have the profits that would make it worthwhile to pursue by the attorneys, whereas the big makers are better targets. That's probably why there are so many " bad drug" ads for the new ones. These new blood thinners , for example, are statistically more effective and less dangerous than the old one(coumadin) but a bleed caused by the new ones is more likely to generate a lawsuit than the same complication on the old one , because it is considered a "standard of care". The whole thing is a big mess. Creates a bit of an ethical dilemma to be risking a lawsuit to prescribe something less effective and more dangerous . Its more important than ever to be a wise consumer ( patient) in today's world. Discuss the real risk/benefit aspects of any treatment and make as much as informed decision you can but don't rely on medicines to solve everything, because sometimes they give you problems you didn't have before. Have seen too many people taking a medication for a problem, and two more to counter the side effects of the first. Ask your doc if he/she would take what they are prescribing for you. The golden rule is still a good one .

[sparky45]

Well, I have 35 years administering Anesthesia and I can tell you for a fact it makes a tremendous difference as to where a medical student graduates in his/her class. Those that do poorly usually get left out of advanced residency programs and wind up in general medicine or in lesser residency programs, some of which are outside the continental United States. Don't be so naive, class position has a great deal to do with being a successful physician.
The one thing you got right is that they are all called Doctor, providing they can pass their certification Boards.



What do you call the person who graduates last in his/her medical school?
Doctor. Who was first or last doesn't mean squat to me. Good bedside manners and listening and working with patients is way more important. I worked in a hospital setting for 21 years while in the Air Force and can tell you for certain a physicians ranking in college has zero to do with their ability to treat and manage patients.

[Handloader109]

My doctor put me on Eloquis blood thinner after having an ablation done on my heart in Febuary. That stuff almost killed me and had me down in bed until late June when I decided it was the medication. I quit taking it and was much better in a day, but it took two months to build my strength back to where I could work a full day. Statin drugs for chloresterol also kick my butt and I refuse to take them anymore.
Wife had a heart attack in Jan. Had prior problems with arrhythmia and Dr put her on eloquis. Almost same thing. After 30 days she quit taking. Dr upset and got her on ziralto for blood thinner. And it works a lot better