Pharmacists criticize Walmart bargain drugs

[OhioChick]

11/16/2006) By Corinne Hautala

Some pharmacists say they are not buying the so–called $4 prescription bargain. Local pharmacists say generic drugs usually only cost about $4 after insurance anyway.

But more importantly they say locally–owned pharmacies provide something more than just picking up pills but keeping things like a patient's background in mind.

They say Wal–Mart will not provide the "Total Patient Care."

“It has kind of turned out to be what I thought it was all along - a gimmick to basically get people in their store basically out of 3-4,000 generics used nationally there are about 100 of them to 120 on list actually being used,” said Tom Choquette of Bert’s Pharmacy.

The National Community Pharmacists Association say the impact of Wal–Mart's program also raises concerns about public safety and the professional counseling of pharmacists.
http://khastv.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7409

[Redstone]

1. Yeah, well, fuck 'em. Walmart's gonna sell me medicine for 4 bucks a pop, I'm buying.

That simple.

Redstone

[VegasWolf]

88. EXACTLY!! Well said. It is really very simple. 2 B or not 2 B overcharged by

the American Pharmaceutical Corporations.

[wickerwoman]

90. Fiver says they're importing these generic drugs from China

and they're coming from the same factories that gave a good friend of mine a devastating stroke at the age of 27.

Caveat emptor...

[Joe Bacon]

93. I'll bet you get a better deal at Costco!

More and more of my coworkers are getting their prescriptions filled at Costco and are saving a bundle even when compared to WHORE*MART!

[Doctor Venmkan]

95. Yeah, well, don't come bitching to a REAL drugstore....

...when you need your meds or have a question about them - and the Wally World pharmacy is closed for the evening, weekend, or holiday. Or the pharmacist is out on his lunch hour...

[VegasWolf]

100. and a REAL drugstore would be? CVS? The drugstore for all REAL Republicans. nt

[Doctor Venmkan]

104. ....the fuck?

What, are you referring to Tom Ryan's meeting/CVS tour with the Shrub a little while ago that I read about?

Being that the Shrub is woefully uneducated on what actually goes on in a pharmacy based on a moronic comment (something to the effect that all pharmacists defraud Medicaid), I guess Tom thought he'd try and educate the man...

Actually, for 24-hour service, I think that Walgreens is the industry leader. At least around here they are.

[jahyarain]

102. i'm no fan of wal mart

but i must say, if u haven't noticed, they NEVER close. hell, there could be an explosion INSIDE the building and they'll still be selling everything equate has 2 offer.

[Doctor Venmkan]

103. Wrongo - the MAIN store never closes. The PHARMACY is a whole different matter entirely!

At the local Wally World, you can buy groceries, electronics, whatever - at 3 in the morning with no problems. But you're S.O.L. if you need a PRESCRIPTION!

[TheDebbieDee]

2. So, is Wal-Mart selling generic prescription drugs

for $4.00 for a 30-day supply to people who don't have prescription drug benefit or insurance?

If this is true, I will peel my "I hate Wal-Mart" bumperstickers off my car and single-handedly put them out of business by getting all of my generic prescriptions filled there!

[Psephos]

12. Yes. Start peelin' :-)

They have about 120 drugs on the $4 list so far.

Peace.

[Tight_rope]

101. LMAO...So you will be Wally Worlds down fall.

:rofl:

[BadgerKid]

3. The $4 drug list

http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/genericdruglist.pdf

only in the following states:

http://i.walmart.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/genericpressrelease.pdf

Source: http://www.walmart.com/pharmacy

[Bluestar]

4. It's true that co-pays for these generic drugs are about $4 for

people who are covered by insurance. The big problem is those who are not covered and don't have access to the "good" price. So, I say, let people go to Wal-Mart if they have no insurance and I'm happy for them. I'm glad that free enterprise has driven these prices down and it had to happen sooner or later. Big Pharma has for too long taken advantage of the uninsured by charging unconscionable prices while negotiating with insurance carriers for low co-pays for the insured.

This situation should soon hit the big hospital groups as well. It is becoming common knowledge that the uninsured are being charged outrageous prices for hospital stays and in-hospital care. My sister-in-law's sister and her husband do not have health insurance and he is going to Canada for an operation in a few months. It will cost them about 1/4th what it would in the US.

[catnhatnh]

5. Walmart is selling 168 generics....

and yes-at $4 a pop....45 million-about 1 in 6 Americans have NO health insurance,never mind prescription coverage.I just had my doctor change the second of my BP pills to a generic and moved my prescriptions to Walmart-results- the monthly $71.98 I was paying is now $8.My old pharmacy was Walgreen and the "total patient care" was an automated phone system and complaints about any prescription you wanted refilled in less than 24 hours...

[Mend]

6. John Rockerfeller did this trick in the late 1800's...

undercut his competitors and then forced them to sell out to him, created a monoply, and then he raised the prices. When Walmart is the only game left in town, watch what they charge for medications.

[iamjoy]

7. That's My Concern

If Wal-Mart can truly do what our government can't (negotiate lower prices for drugs) I think that's great.

On the other hand, if they are only doing this to drive out competition, form a monopoly and then start ripping off people, that's horrible.

Given Wal-Mart's history, I am inclined towards the latter.

[Sadie5]

8. The pricing

is all screwed up. I have a RX for a cream for dry skin that the Insurance would not pay for. I started calling around and WalMart was the cheapest in the end, but my gripe was with the Insurance price of $94, and the non Insurance price of $30.79. I ended up going to Kroger for $31.99. I still refuse to give them one thin dime. In all fairness Kroger had an Insurance price too of $94.

[dubykc]

14. I agree. they don't have a particularly good history...

of sustaining the prices they start out with once the competition is gone.

[merwin]

20. Huh? Wal-Mart has always offered cheap shit.

That's the reason that the competition is gone. I haven't seen anywhere that they have raised their prices once other places start shutting down.

Can you cite a source?

[dubykc]

29. Here is one source, I'm sure there are others...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n22_v32/ai_14663785

"But the Conway druggists managed to do that to the court's satisfaction by documenting Wal-Mart's practice of raising prices sharply at stores in markets where competing retailers have been forced out of business by the chain's aggressive use of loss leaders."

"One example cited in the complaint: infant formula, which Wal-Mart priced at $11.56 per case in Little Rock, and $21.36 per case in rural Clinton, Ark., where much of the retail competition had been eliminated."

[Mend]

33. Thank you for the documentation....my husband just told me

that he read that there are 20 billionaires in this country and that 3 of them are connected to Walmart. He can't remember where he read that but it is possibly true. Support your local pharmacy and boycott Walmart if you can or we will have one pharmacy, one airline, one gas station, and a lot of people out of work.

[dubykc]

45. I am already. I haven't set foot in a Wal-Mart in over 2 years...

and I don't intend to start now.

[hughee99]

64. I don't disagree with your argument...

but there are at least 400 billionaires in this country, though 5 of the top 11 are heirs of Sam Walton. 8 of the overall 400 are connected to Walmart.

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/biz_06rich400_The-400-Richest-Americans_SourceOfWealth_7.html

[w4rma]

67. Actually there are a little over 350 billionaires with U.S. citizenship, now.

The number of billionaires in the world have almost doubled in the past 3 years.
http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/

[lynne]

68. This is a sales ploy - and a darn good one -

- Walmart can undercut and even take a loss on the drugs as it will bring people into Walmart that would have never stuck their heads in the door otherwise. Once there for the drugs, they are sure to also pick up other items. Walmart will more than make up the loss on the drugs by the other items that are purchased. This marketing venture plays to the largest demographic base in the US at the moment - the Baby Boomers - who are all aging and in need of regularly prescribed meds.

Pharmacists are complaining because they will lose their client base to Walmart. Pharmacists must figure out a way to keep and attract customers or they will soon be out of business.

[OhioChick]

9. I find your analysis to be correct.

I have a family member working in a pharmacy (not Walmart's) and that is the buzz.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

23. Right

Some store pharmacist not even working in Wal-Mart's store has the inside info on their conspiracy with Bush, Rove, Pfizer, and J&J to drive the other pharmacies out of business and then raise the prices for generics up to $100 a pop.

[OhioChick]

38. And.......

some smart-ass with their head in the sand seems to think that they know that my family member doesn't have inside information?

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

42. From Where?

Inside info from where? Just because someone is a pharmacist on the floor, does not mean that they know what is going on in the Management ranks in their own company, much less in the management ranks of Wal-Mart.

Difference between sticking your head in the sand and not listening to wild rumors started by someone who knows someone who does not even have any link to the company in question.

[OhioChick]

44. The reason

for Black Friday is to corner the market in a particular vertical. Walmart has the clout to play this game...as well as in the pharmaceutical vertical. IMO this "buzz" is not too far off from what you will see in the future.

on edit: spelling

[dubykc]

46. You really don't need to be IN the management ranks of Wal-Mart...

to know their TOP priority IS NOT the customers.

[OhioChick]

49. You're right.

The goal of Walmart is to eliminate all competition. Market dominance....

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

55. Where have they dominated a market and raised prices beyond reach?

Name one place.

They have allot wrong with them, but they don't enter a market, eliminate competition and then raise prices out of sight. Where have they done it?

[ChromeFoundry]

57. Are you serious???

Look at all the manufacturing jobs that have gone abroad to China because Walmart can buy in massive bulk for $.02 less per unit, saving millions in the end-game.

They enter the local and rural markets and force out competition (mom-n-pop shops) by undercutting the competition. When was the last time you saw a small corner store within a 5 mile radius of a Walmart that was not hurting or ready to file bankruptcy? They are on the same level as Home Depot. You won't see any corner hardware stores that offer good advice and customer service anywhere near an HD!

Yes they do enter a market and eliminate competition. The offer substandard labor practices and benefits to their employees that they have the upper-hand over due to forcing the competition out of profit margins.

Don't dare funckin say that Walmart is not on-track for targeted market monopolies, once reached and there is very little competition, the prices will increase. They are no better than oil and health care providers. If you want to shop at walmart, and can afford to shop at a more economy friendly retailer... be my guest; but don't come around here crying when you have lost your job and are struggling to find ANY job to feed yourself. Don't come crying when your areas manufacturing jobs are all sent abroad for cheaper labor, and your area yields record number unemployment rate increases.

When your wages decrease and the product price stays the same, it is effectively the same as raising the price of the product beyond reach.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

58. I didn't see a town name in there.

Tell me where they have done what was said. Pushed out competition and then raised prices beyond reach? Where? If they get too much control of the market, blah, blah ,blah. Same thing the Repugs said about Democrats getting control. Put them in power and they can raise your taxes out of sight. Will this happen? No. That San Fran liberal Nancy Pelosi will take away your paycheck to pay for Commie Health Care. Will this happen? No. But these stories play well on TV.

Sorry to say, but Wal-mart is not the root of all evil, they serve a purpose. In fact, I am a fan of what they did for my small town. They GREATLY increased the availability of fresh food and produce. The chain stores and the mom & pops you espouse had crappy meat, poor produce, and no variety. Wal-Mart moved from one of their small stores and opened a Super Center offering food. Guess what, the quality of food and produce increased at ALL the stores around here. Now all the stores are doing well.

We still have plenty of mom & pop specialty groceries, plenty of mom & pop pharmacies, and all are doing well. In fact, we even have a Lowes in town, no HD though, and guess what, there are at least 3 small hardware stores in town doing good business as well and a few nurseries too.

We are so excited, we are about to have a Waffle House open up, just got a Ruby Tuesday's last yr and all the local Mennonite restaurants and bakeries are still thriving and full at lunch.

In a community sense, Wal-mart brings people from the surrounding communities into town, and they stop at the other shops and shop as well.

[ChromeFoundry]

59. I noticed that you did not post your town's name...

Come-on, out with it, so that we can all bask in the wonderful enrichment of personal gain Walmart has provided to you and all of your neighbors!

I don't believe your BS for one second. Prove me wrong!

You sound like a Walmart hack to me. Prove me wrong!

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

60. LOL now I work for Wal-Mart.

hahaha. Want my home address too and a copy of my paystub? Rove and Walton Jr are my beer drinking buddies. Tell you what, next time you are in SC, let me know and I'll PM you my town so I can take you to one of the GREATEST Mennonite bakeries in the world.

[ChromeFoundry]

61. I could care less who you are...

You are insignificant to this conversation. I just don't believe that Walmart has ever enriched a city. I will stop bitching about Walmart's practices when I see them do something, anything, positive to a community beyond a three year span past entry. I'll take you up on your off, as long as you leave your drinking buddies behind, or in the trunk.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

70. LOL agreed. I prefer the latter.

N/T

[Doremus]

94. PLENTY of mom & pops?

Where is this mom & pop utopia where small retailers thrive when big box moves in?

Since the advent of big box and "discount" retailing, our small suburban downtown, which had bustled with shoppers since the mid-1800s, has died a slow death. Furniture, shoe, clothing and grocery stores are long gone, replaced by insurance and real estate offices, hair dressers and chiropractors. Services like appliance and shoe repair, which once dotted our block, have been relegated to the memory album as stores like Wally World ushered in the era of disposability. TV broken? Throw it on the curb and head to big box! Who needs quality when we have a limitless supply of slave-labor Chinese imports?

Variety, service and neighbhood vitality have been the tradeoffs for those 2 cents you save on toothpaste. Perhaps from your perspective you're ahead, but in the big picture you're much poorer.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

54. That's different

than trying to corner the market and then raise prices to exorbitant amounts. No where they have eliminated the competition have they raised prices beyond reach.

They are beholden to the almighty dollar and they cut costs at the expense of their employees, but they have been good to the consumers with low cost goods.

[dubykc]

62. They don't need to raise them beyond reach just ...

back to where the competition had THEIR prices before they were forced out of business.

[Psephos]

13. We've passed a lot of antitrust and predatory pricing legislation since then

Walmart's history shows an unwavering downward trend in their pricing. Between their business strategy (low prices) and the massive retaliation they would invoke if found guilty of monopolistic price manipulation, there is no evidence to support your conclusion.

My opinion, natch.

Peace.

[Sherman A1]

17. I believe that this is called

Predatory Pricing and is a regular feature of Wal Mart's bag of tricks to drive out the competition and buy themselves some market share along with some good press.

[merwin]

21. So you're for government imposed lower drug prices, but not

when overly wealthy companies decide to do it themselves?

I don't quite understand that one...

The most important thing coming out of this whole drug pricing thing with Wal-Mart is the news it's generating about prescription drug prices in general.

[enough already]

34. I'm struggling with this one

I hate Walmart but need the cheap drugs.

[Sherman A1]

41. Ahhhh, another mind reader I see....

The question is will Wal Mart maintain those new and improved prices after they have caused other pharmacies to go under? I want lower drug prices just like anyone else and really don't need to justify my position to you or anyone. However, Wal Mart has a long history of using means both ethical and perhaps less so to dominate a market. The proof is in the pudding...

[dubykc]

47. Agreed!

[AngryAmish]

30. And if they do they will be sued into the stone age

[dubykc]

48. They'll be sued and pass on those losses to the customers too.

[bleedingheart]

97. I keep repeating this to people but they seem to want to repeat history

over and over again...

[Lone_Star_Dem]

98. In Texas HEB grocery stores checkmated Wal-Mart

They even beat them to the punch of providing the $4 prescriptions to their patrons. I don't know how many stores in other states did the same, but I found it humorous that HEB did.

[merwin]

10. Funny. My generics have never cost less than $10 after insurance.

I agree with Wal-Mart on this one, and if it comes to WA, I will seriously consider getting my meds there.

[napi21]

40. Yeah, my generic drugs never cost me only $4 either!

I believe that's the price for most of the Medicare plans I've looked at, but I've got a few years to wait for that.

[Nikia]

50. One of my generic prescriptions is $4 at a local pharmacy

At Walmart, it was $10. I think that it has something to do with a lot of insurance copays being $10.

[Kolesar]

11. NPR gives Walmart "free" publicity by playing this story over and over

a few months after Walmart bought a huge amount of underwriting spots on NPR.

[Sgent]

15. Look at the drugs

The drugs they are selling for $4.00 cost Walmart no more than $2 in bulk generic in the first place -- and most likely wasn't more than $6.00 from your local pharmacist, and probably cheaper.

None of the expensive generics are on the list -- walmart essentially found the cheapest meds they sold (for $3-$6 anyway), and set a price of $4.00 for marketing purposes.

Its an excellent marketing scheme, but I would be surprised if their actual gross profits from the sales of these drugs are significantly different than they were previously.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

25. Source on the drug prices?

NT

[Sgent]

39. Personal experience

I do accounting for two pharmacies, and am responsible for negotiating purchasing contracts for them.

I know what they pay for drugs like lithium, naproxen, and HCTZ -- and know their pricing for those.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

43. Okay

I was just interested what your sources were. T

he entire Rx price structure with give-backs, and discounts to pharmacies and insurance companies is confusing.

Just wondering where you might have seen those types of prices.

For older products like these, I can easily believe that.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

51. Great post! A basic Walmart strategy is 'bait and upsell', apparently

I clicked through the link BadgerKid supplied in post #3 and saw the very limited list of drugs for $4 a month apiece. Most people might have one or two prescriptions on that list, but would have to pay higher prices at Walmart than that for their other generics. Notice that Walmart does not mail out these drugs, but rather allows online refill orders for pickup every month.

IMO $4 prescriptions appear to be like most other Walmart "bargains": a few heavily promoted "deals" to bring throngs into the stores, where higher prices await for many other items. The genius of the $4 prescriptions is that they lure a steady stream of customers like clockwork, every 30 days when their prescriptions run out. IMO Walmart is betting that people will walk out of Walmart every month with more expensive prescription refills and many non-Pharmacy items as well as their $4 prescriptions.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

56. What items at Wal-Mart are higher $ than anywhere else?

Which ones, please tell me b/c I can't find them.

[Trajan]

66. There are LOTS of things that Walmart prices slightly higher ....

Food items, for instance ....

As a long time VERY discriminating shopper, I refuse to accept that saving 10 Cents on a loaf of bread is worth paying their workers MUCH lower wages .... If you dont already see their prices are marginally higher or lower, then there isnt much to say to you ....

Compare .... it is worth a nickel to you ?

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

71. Maybe its relative

Wal-Mart provides allot of stuff that my other groceries don't, so there are things I admittedly can't compare. However, the fact is they offer the widest selection of fresh foods and meats in my area. They didn't drive out the competition offering the same things, they were just the first to offer it. Fresh sliced melons, fresh cilantro and other herbs, a variety of apple types, to name a few of items.

[Morereason]

80. Well and good but if they mistreat their employees?????

There are so many things that Wal-mart stands for that are wrong. Of course they provide products at decent products. But what about sustainability, "family values" (you know the real kind as in giving their employees decent bennies, vacation, wages), monopoly effects on small business, power inappropriately welded. I am surprised to see so many on a progressibe board defending what are essentially components of non sustainable business practices and ideologies?

[greccogirl]

86. Look - I have FOUR prescriptions

on that list and I have insurance. But at the regular pharmacy, my co-pays even for generics are $15. I can save more than $30 a month going to Wal mart.

I already shop at Wal Mart - I do a lot of crafts and why should I pay $5-7 a skein of yarn that I can get the same at Wal mart for $1.99 or $2.99?

Plus last year at Christmas I had to return a gift that I had the receipt for, it was a smoothie maker, and it was $39.99. Target refused to give me the money back or even give me a store credit - even WITH the receipt - and said I could only trade for "another small appliance". I didn't WANT another small appliance - and they were quite nasty about it.

On the way home I had to go to Wal mart to exchange something else and I was telling the girl about the Target incident - she asked me to bring it in and I did, and she scanned it and said they carried it and they would take it back and refund the money, and they did! I got the entire price. And I didn't have to take a store credit either.

Which is why I never shop at Target.

[shimmergal]

89. That's strange. Target has always

given me cash back on returns, no questions asked, if I have the receipt.

Maybe it's just a maverick manager, or even an employee who was having a bad day. I'll admit, the last time I tried it, Walmart was better about refunds for which you _don't_ have the receipt, but that doesn't appear to have been the situation you describe.

[greccogirl]

105. It wasn't the first time Target gave me a hard

time. I simply won't shop there.

[Trajan]

16. I will not be buying anything from Walmart ....

This is chicken feed .... some payola for accepting their business model of low pay and no benefits ....

[Debau2005]

22. Walmart isn't stupid

They know that people aren't going to come in, get their $4 drug and leave! They'll spend money on the cheap crap that Walmart is famous for. Just another marketing strategy to get people in the door.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

24. Problem with that?

So what, if you can get cheap drugs and spend the savings elswehere in the store for other things, great. If you don't have the money and get your $4 drug only to spend more on crap in Wal-Mart because you don't have the discipline to walk out of the store, that is your fault.

[rodeodance]

18. this WILL help people without insurance. that is my main concern.

[merwin]

19. Wal-Mart also sells insulin for about $15 less than EVERYWHERE else

Which has been a lifesaver (literally) to my best friend, who has a low paying job that doesn't give him insurance.

I support Wal-Mart 100% in this.

[Show_Me _The_Truth]

26. Did anyone catch the operative phrase here?

"after insurance anyway"

Total patient care is BS. I live in a samll town and have been to these Mom & Pop pharmacies and have not received one lick of different "total patient care" than any of the other chains. In fact, occaisionally they didn't even have what I needed in stock and had to order it.

Wal-Mart's Pharmacists are PHARMACISTS and can (and do) give the same advice as any other pharmacist.

[BridgeTheGap]

27. Does that include

generic medical canabis?

[robcon]

28. Look who's talking... follow the money

"Some pharmacists say they are not buying the so–called $4 prescription bargain. Local pharmacists say generic drugs usually only cost about $4 after insurance anyway."

Interpretation: we can't compete with Wal-Mart on price.

[bmbmd]

31. We are deeply indebted to Walmart in my practice.

I try to prescribe off of the list, and my patients love it. We'll ride this pony as long as we can. More power to 'em.

[sarcasmo]

72. Nothing like caring for your patients best interest. Just SAD.

[merwin]

73. SAD that he's helping patients afford their drugs??

[sarcasmo]

78. It's SAD when you are only worried about the drugs on Walmarts list.

You should be worried about the drugs the patient really need, not a drug that is on Walmarts list because it is cheaper. It's big Pharmaceuticals fault that Doctors have to resort to worrying about a medicine being on a list.

[tabasco]

32. Boohoohoo I feel so sorry for the billionaires in pharmaceuticals!

How will they put food on their families ??!!:shrug:

[Megahurtz]

35. "Total Patient Care"

Oh please.:eyes: Since when does anyone in the Pharmaceutical or Medical industry "care"?
Since they're complaining about it, it's obvious that they don't "care".
All they care about is $$$$$$$. Just more Corporate bullshit.

Fuck that. I'll do what I have to do.

[hunter]

36. My life would be very unpleasant if $4 Wal-Mart drugs were my only option.

:scared:

Medicine in the United States is broken, and this new game by Wal-Mart is merely a symptom of that.

If you need a medicine and you don't have much money or insurance, you'd better pray your medicine is on that $4 list...

[NashVegas]

37. The Only Way Independents Will Survive Is Co-op Marketing

In the restaurant industry, this has already begun.

A single indie business has no way to compete against the marketing budgets of the big boxes and chains. Co-ops are their only hope, IMO.

[customerserviceguy]

52. It's hard to know which side to despise more here

On one hand, you have high paid pill counters, claiming that they are the only people protecting us from drug interactions, when they all use computerized programs to do that job, and on the other hand, you have a predatory company that is just offering this as a gimmick to screw its competition out of business, as Mal-Wart has done with every mom and pop shop in America.

"Total Patient Care", my ass. All you get is a printout with every possible side effect that the FDA has determined might happen in one out of a million cases. If you have a side effect, your doctor needs to determine that, anyway. Pill counters aren't going to be of much help there, they cannot give medical advice to a specific person as to how a drug's side effects have impacted that patient. All these little drugstores are just overpriced gift shops, anyway. Ever since they took out the soda fountains, their days have been numbered.

[Divine Discontent]

53. OH GOSH!

"overpriced gift shops" BWAHAHAHAHAHA

I hate walmart, but that's a funny comment about little drug stores.



www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[NorthernSpy]

63. Right on! Neither of these self-interested parties is actually on our side...

You're absolutely right about all that.


:thumbsup:

[customerserviceguy]

69. There's no smarts in some health insurers, either

My carrier (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) either hits me $40 for a one month supply of the drug I take (at the pharmacy down the street), or, if I save them money and go for a three month supply by mail order, they want $120 in co-pay! Let's see, which is the better deal.....?

Better for me to budget the $40 per month than trying to figure out how to come up with the $120 every quarter. Besides, in this case, I don't mind helping out the local Walgreen's, they often have really good specials on my fish oil capsules. You'd think that BCBS would figure out how to give me an incentive to make the mass purchase over the little ones.

[greccogirl]

85. Look, no one is "on our side".

They, or any drug manufacturer or drugstore don't sell drugs because they have a vested interest in the human condition. They do it to make money, it's a business, period.

[NJCher]

74. Stepped into Wal-Mart for the first time over this....

It's hard to know which side to despise more here...

You got that right!

I set foot in a Wal-Mart for the first time ever because of the $4 plan. A drug I had been paying nearly $18 a month for is on the $4 list. I intend to write the pharmacy where I had been buying it and tell them why they lost my business. What a rip.

Anyway, while I was in Wal-Mart for this prescription, I looked around, having never seen or experienced a Wal-Mart before. I've never gone into one because of my ethical complaints with them and in fact, I've even promoted the anti-Wal-Mart movie. It so happens that the day I went in to pick up my prescription, the pharmacy was closed for half an hour because the pharmacist went to lunch. What to do: a whole half hour to kill.

So right next to the pharmacy was an eyeglass operation. I needed some new frames, so my intent was to look or new frames but get them filled elsewhere. The thing was, though, that I started up a conversation with the eye doctor and he was a pretty credible guy. I actually liked him and he made some funny Wal-Mart jokes (not derogatory--just funny). I looked at his credentials hanging on the wall and thought, hey what the hell, I've got a half hour so why not get my eyes examined here. It would be fast, easy, and convenient. So I did and I got a pair of eyeglasses for $200-something. Really nice, since I'm convinced Homeland Security stole my nice tortoiseshell glasses on my last trip. What can I say: they were in the bag when I started the trip and when I got home, they weren't. Just a nice little note from Homeland Security, telling me they'd checked my bags.

Guess that's what I get for sprinkling my bags with anti-bush bumper stickers and cartoons.

Anyway, I was determined not to buy anything else but then I saw an OTC medication I'd shopped everywhere for but couldn't find. Even the online places didn't have it and in the rare instances where they did, it was way overpriced. Yet WM had it--and for way less than anyplace I'd ever purchased it. So I bought that, too.

When I got my prescription, the information that came with it was far better than from any other pharmacy I'd purchased from. It was so clear that it made me realize I'd been taking my meds wrong and I was now determined to change the way I took them. I was totally impressed.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not about to become a regular Wal-Mart customer but they did gain around a $250 add-on sale from me with their $4 prescription plan. Plus they made me hate them a little less, LOL.

The arguments about Wal-Mart raising prices don't really hold here in NJ. There aren't many Wal-Marts because the land is too expensive. There are plenty of pharmacies but not one of the rat bastards has dropped their generic prescriptions to a reasonable level.

So I have to tip my hat to Wal-Mart on this one.




Cher

[Doctor Venmkan]

96. Hey, just because YOU'VE had a shitty experience at a pharmacy (big or small)...

Don't be painting ALL pharmacists with the same brush. Some actually DO care, and bend over backwards to help people.

[NorthernSpy]

65. and if you can't afford to keep seeing the doc for prescription renewals, you're STILL screwed!

These old, off-patent generic medications wholesale in bulk for just pennies. WalMart hopes to parlay a less-exorbitant price markup into a monopoly market advantage. Which, from their point of view, may make sense as a business strategy.

But from the point of view of Americans who need medicine, WalMart's action mostly misses the point. These old reliable generic medications were already the cheapest part of healthcare; it's the bills for hospital care, the unnegotiated prices of newer "breakthrough" drugs, and even the in-office care provided by doctors (who must be paid -- over and over again -- for giving the patient/customer permission to buy a prescription medicine) that are really pulling us under.



(edit: fixed typo)

[robcon]

75. I think you miss the point.

"But from the point of view of Americans who need medicine, WalMart's action mostly misses the point. "

No, I think you don't get the point. Walmart is not trying to save the world, just generate business (drive others out of business.) They've made a big step forward, and I think they're on the right track.

[NorthernSpy]

76. no, I think YOU miss MY point...

No, I think you don't get the point. Walmart is not trying to save the world, just generate business (drive others out of business.)

Yeah, no duh! I said this myself in the sentences that directly preceded the one you quote.

They've made a big step forward, and I think they're on the right track.

And I explained why this isn't a big step forward: these old generic drugs are already the cheapest part of healthcare in the United States. The prescription drug costs that really hurt people are the unnegotiated prices of newer, patented medications. And on top of all prescription drug prices, something like 90% of the healthcare dollar is spent on costs associated with in-hospital care.

So WalMart's action, as welcome as it may be for some, is "a big step forward" in lowering America's healthcare costs in the same sense that dipping a teacup into the sea is a big step forward in reducing the size of the Atlantic Ocean.

And if I may answer your next likely remark ahead of time, I'd like to point out that I haven't said that no one will get any good out of this $4 prescription offer. So you may tell that particular straw man to stand down, if you please.

[greccogirl]

82. Look - I don't agree with you.

I have to take many prescriptions each month; and I DO have insurance, but my co-pays are $15.00 minimum. I can now take four of my monthly prescriptions to Walmart which will save me $11 per perscription per month. Maybe you think that's nothing but saving 300-400 a year on these prescriptions is a LOT when you are on a fixed income.

I say good for Wal mart.

[Morereason]

77. WOW - Incredibly POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE ploy!

I can't believe how good a ploy this is. Tactical genius in the art of propaganda. I mean, Wal-Mart, an incredibly PREDATORY and immoral company that is terrible to their employees and destroys competition, is being defended on DU????

Now that is powerful!!
I am impressed at the power of Marketing!

[Morereason]

79. I am afraid for our democracy....

To add, this kind of reaction makes me afraid that nothing will change. People are so easily manipulated to work against their own good.

Now do not get me wrong, I do not critisize those who must use Wal-Mart's Pharmacy. Life is tuff and you have to take care of yourself. But to actually allow your opinion to be changed toward the company and to defend them? That is a major change of mind they just accomplished without any real change in the companies practices.

I am afraid the same will happen with our newfound Democratic "victory". We need to get smarter and expect more.

[greccogirl]

83. I am impressed

with getting affordable medicine. If the other chains such as CVS and Wallgreen's, etc want to compete let THEM lower their pricing.

[Texasgal]

81. Sorry, but as long as I can

Buy these drugs for 4 bucks I will be buying from wally world... When the other pharmacies decide to follow suite... I'll change. Until then, four bucks from SEVENTY bucks is HUGE!

[greccogirl]

84. It's actually huge

even if you've got insurance depending on your co-pay. Why should I pay $15 or $20 co pay for a drug when I can get it at Wally World for $4.00?

[ProgressiveEconomist]

87. LINK: Kmart's "90 Day Generics" program is a little better than Kmart's

30-day program, IMO.

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2850912&mesg_id=2850912 for a link to the current version of Kmart's 185-med formulary.

[lanlady]

91. I haven't had "total patient care" from a pharmacy

since the Stone Age. Nowadays, everyone who interfaces with the public in any of the local CVS or grocery store pharmacies is typically a young teen with a tenuous grasp of English and basic math. The pharmacists are barricaded behind glass.

[Doctor Venmkan]

99. Again, just because YOUR pharmacist does not have a personal connection to you....

Don't paint ALL pharmacists (and techs like me for that matter) with the same brush.

I'm sure it's the same way with Wal-Mart pharmacists too....some good, some just hide behind their computer and avoid customers.

My main point is, if your drugstore runs for 85 hours a week (like where I work), as opposed to 40 or even 60 hours a week - there's a better chance they'll BE THERE when you need them. To fill a RX, or ask the pharmacist some advice.

Pharmacists, IMO, are some of the most shat-upon professionals out there. How many LAWYERS do you see using their education to give vital advice for people FOR FREE, with NO appointment?????

The more ignorant people on this thread would have folks thinking that the pharmacist is nothing but a glorified "Googler," going to the computer to answer every fucking question put before them. Bullshit. Why don't you loudmouths actually go and WATCH a pharmacy at work for a while and see how things are really done?

[SoCalDem]

92. None of the ones my husband takes are on the list for walmart or kmart

of course a few are $75 co-pay with our union plan, so I did not expect them to be on the list..

What kills me is that for all those years our union plan was $1 or $3 co-pay, no one ever even took medicine..and now... sheesh !!

When we re-fill his meds, it costs us about $300..

I don't take any meds...but then I also don;t go to the doctor :evilgrin: who knows what they would think I need to take :)