Prescription drug prices to plunge as patents expire

[freeplessinseattle]

"The cost of prescription medicines used by millions of people every day is about to plummet.
The next 14 months will bring generic versions of seven of the world's 20 best-selling drugs, including the top two: cholesterol fighter Lipitor and blood thinner Plavix.

For now, brand-name drugmakers are scrambling to adjust for the billions in revenue that will soon be lost. Many raised prices 20 percent or more over the last couple of years, before generics hit, to maximize revenue. Some contract with generic drugmakers for "authorized generics," which give the brand-name company a portion of the generic sales.

.....

Brand-name companies also are trimming research budgets, partnering with other companies to share drug-development costs and shifting more manufacturing and patient testing to low-cost countries."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2015720110_generics25.html

[slackmaster]

1. I had to read that one twice. The first time I read "...as patients expire."

That's good news, but of course the industry will respond by aggressively marketing newer drugs that are still under patent.

And many doctors will play right along.

[newfie11]

2. Thats the way I first read it also LOL

[liberal N proud]

3. Same here

Freudian slip, I am sure.

Tells what we think of the pharmaceutical and insurance industry.

[bear425]

4. it's so interesting that so many of us

Read that headline incorrectly the first time = including me. I saw "patients" too.

[raccoon]

5. Here's another who read it as "patients." I thought about starting a copycat thread, but I guess it

would be poor taste.

[CTyankee]

6. Me, too. Context is so much of it...

[rusty fender]

14. Me too!

I had to read it twice to get what it meant.:P

[cutlassmama]

7. LOL, I read "patients" too. I was wondering which of the Rx's I currently

take would kill me sooner.

[undeterred]

8. Watch out, they always find clever ways to "reformulate" the drug for a few more years.

Greedy bastards.

[freeplessinseattle]

17. oh, man, they did that with Imitrex, really ticked me off!!

They made it to work faster, and then mixed it with Naproxen-like I can't just buy my own Naproxen for a couple bucks at the Grocery Outlet.

If it hadn't been so stressful to try to afford the migraine meds I wouldn't need them as much! Maybe that was part of their evil plan, greedy bastards.

[undeterred]

18. That's exactly the one I was thinking of.

I have had migraines for decades so I knew exactly when it came out and when the patent was due to expire. I hate the assholes at Glaxo Wellcome who would rather see people suffer and get rich than help more people get out of pain.

[freeplessinseattle]

19. Yep, such a mixture of relief and...astonishment, to put it mildy

My mom and I were so thrilled when something helpful finally was invented, hallelujah! Like yourself my mom and I both have had migraines for decades, she for about 50 years, me for about 30, and those years of suffering in pure misery with no relief possible was sheer hell. Then the shots came out, which I didn't like doing, but that was the only thing that worked.

I remember a couple times my mom had to bring a shot to my workplace because I wasn't allowed to go home (though if I had a more "obvious" illness it probably would have been ok) and didn't want to lose my job, so to function at all I had to pay well over twice as much as I would get paid per shift there. Crazy.

[hobbit709]

9. you want to put money on that happening?

[crim son]

15. The prices may plunge,

from $200/mo to $100/mo. I use generic meds to control my depression. While a thirty-day supply of generic prozac costs only six bucks, the same supply of bupropion sets me back over a hundred bucks. Furthermore, that price has risen by about 30% over the last two years.

[Odin2005]

10. ACK, I read that as "patients", did a double take!

[slackmaster]

11. This thread may set some kind of DU record for double-takes

:kick:

[RC]

12. Makes sense. As the drug makers kill off their customers, they lower prices

to keep market share. Doesn't say much for the drug companies does it?

[unblock]

13. generic sumatriptan (imitrex) is now available but prices are as high as ever.

well, unless you're willing to order online from some random pharmacy in india or wherever.

[freeplessinseattle]

16. I hear ya, I take Imitrex but get it cheaper thru the Unarx card

The pharmacist told me about it and was able to apply it right away. No forms to fill out to qualify, or anything, just can go to the site and download a card, even run a check on participating pharmacies in your area and specific prices.

So I got 12 100 mg tablets for $38! Now am using the Washington State drug program thing, also nothing needed to qualify, and am now only paying $22 for 12! The only thing is the generic don't seem to work as well (and the discount on the original is negligible), both my mom and I noticed-they suddenly switched them, they are a different shape and now the box says they are made in India, but I don't know why they would work so poorly in comparison.

anyway, here is the link, hope it helps!

http://unarxcard.com/index.php

FREE PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD

UNA RX CARD is a “FREE” discount prescription drug card delivered through a joint effort by RESTAT and United Networks of America. This program is made possible through the participation of U.S. pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. UNA Rx Card provides members with average savings of 32%-35% off U&C Pricing with savings as high as 75% on some medications. UNA Rx Card is designed as a stand alone benefit program but it may also be used as a supplement for insured prescription plans to cover non-formulary prescriptions. It can also be used as a Medicare Part D supplement by covering drugs once participants reach the “donut hole”!

The UNA Rx Card network includes most major pharmacy chains nationwide.