I went to pick up my Relpax refill the other day at the pharmacy drive thru (oh how I love it that they have a drive thru!) and the pharmacy employee said, "Are you aware that this is 137 dollars?" After I regained my composure I told I was NOT aware that it would be that much, and asked her if that was for 6 pills or 12? She said it was for 6!! That makes it $22.83 per pill! Of course, when I am plagued with a migraine I would gladly pay $22.83 to get rid of it, but they don't sell these pills one at a time. I ended up telling her I'd have to come back because I wasn't sure about paying that much.
I'm not really sure now what the debate was because I have to have the Relpax, it just seemed outrageous at the time and I wasn't sure how that was going to fit into our pre-payday finances. Aargh! It's delightful being uninsured...
**Would you have paid it?
What's the most expensive prescription
you've ever had to buy?
Are you insured?**
27 comments:
Have you tried to contact he drug maker? Sometimes they have programs to assist in getting the prescriptions for those without insurance.
Oh, my goodness. That is outrageous! I think that I probably would have paid it though, just because I would be afraid of getting a migraine and not having anything.
I was going to suggest the same thing as Tiffany about contacting the drug company. Also, perhaps you could do some research and see if there is anything out there that is similar but not so expensive? It would be worth a shot, anyway.
Good luck. I was uninsured for a long time, and it really stunk.
Oh my goodness! That is totally highway robbery. But then again, if you really need this to survive migraines, then I guess it is worth it??
We have been uninsured many times, and now pay for private health insurance, which in and of itself is highway robbery. My most expensive pill was also about $23. I had to take 3 a day when I was pregnant. I ended up paying about $150 a month instead of $2000 a month. It is the one time having my insurance actually paid off. I feel your pain, I hope you can find a more economical option.
I had worked w/several pharmaceutical companies in the past and I know that they have special programs to assist those who are uninsured or simple unable to pay for their medication. I took the liberty of getting this info for ya:
http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx
Good luck,
Esther
That is insane! There is no way I could/would pay that much without having to save and budget for it. Linc used to have a really dry scalp and his doctor called in a prescription for special shampoo- 6 oz, $170, and that is with us having insurance! Who can actually pay that much? We are insured but even then, sometimes it feels outrageous with deductibles and out of pocket minimums. We paid more in medical bills last year than we did for my car.
It sucks that what you need cost so much. I would totally e-mail the company to find out about assistance. Or I hear Costco sometimes has things cheaper. But that might just when when you buy in bulk! Good luck
I don't think I would have paid for it. I think Tiffany might be onto something. There are programs out there for the uninsured. I also think it's an absolute sin that the drug company would charge that much in the first place. I wonder what the profit is.
I have payed for Zofran...20 bucks a pill, because of HORRIBLE morning sickness. (and that was with insurance) That was a few years ago too so I don't know if they are now even MORE expensive. It is crazy the amounts they figure they can charge for certain medicines. I hope you can figure something out though. Have you tried Maxalt? I think it is less expensive...and works well. Just a thought.
Oh man! That's terrible--and when you are struck with a migraine you definitely must have it. I hope some of these suggestions work out for you!
Thankfully, we have insurance, but when we went through fertility treatments/medicine most of that was not covered.
Good luck!!
Holy crap! That is highway robbery!!
I don't think I would have paid it. But I would get right on exploring other options before you need the meds. I hope you can work out a better deal than that!
Youch. Bills like that are never convenient. GOOD THING YOU SAVED ON THE DRYER BILL!
At our scrapbook retreat last week one of our ladies had to pay $1400 for a prescription (not even a cancer one). I gulped. And would have died. Probably literally.
as whoopi would say on the view "What the hell?!"
sorry. just had to throw that in there.
that's outrageous. health care costs are incredible. i probably would have done what you had done- just to let it sink in- but you've got a point- you need it- so you end up buying it.
major part of us being army again is health care. we're covered- it limits my choices to on base stuff, so i wait FOREVER to see a doctor, but i also don't have to worry about co-pays or other crap (except for the dentist and eye doctor- whole other ball of wax). when shane was civilian, we had pretty crappy coverage- and i had a grad school plan that sucked.
my most expensive pills EVER were this antibiotic. i felt like i was swallowing gold every time i took it- i think it panned out to $25 a pill. and i took it for 10 days. insanity.
Jill,
I've been out of the reading blog loop...sorry! I remember the first time we picked up my Zofran [for morning sickness] and heard it was over $100 for 10 pills [WITH insurance, and I had to take it at least once a day for several months...} feeling like I was totally being taken advantage of. But if I didn't take it, I couldn't function and so we had to bite the bullet.
Good luck with checking out other options!
I didn't know about the pill until your post a while back. Now, I won't have to worry because I will not be purchasing it.
I just got an email to day going on and on about money can not do this and that but it left out the reality if it.... that money actually can pay for pills that get people through some miserable times. I hope some of the other suggestion work out.
It's a good thing I'm insured because after reading this-
I'M SICK!!!
what in the world?
I'm so sorry!
Jill,
Can your doctor give you samples? Always ask. I had a UTI and asked for antibiotic samples...she gave me a full prescription for FREE! I also got the paper prescription & called Walmart curious about how much I saved...$23!
SO, ask for samples EVERY time a doctor prescribes ANYTHING!
I forgot to add:
Whenever you have friends traveling to Mexico or Canada, ask them to pick this up for your at a pharmacia! So much cheaper in Mexico...great to be living so close to the border down here in Texas!
Absolutely contact the pharaceutical company that makes the drug and inquire about their patient assistance program! I help my patients do this all the time - HIV meds run $5,000 per month!
Email me if you need help but you can probably do it - google the company that manufactures it and go from there. An original prescription (not a copy) will be needed and then the drug will be sent directly to your physician or pharmacy, depending on how the company operates. Give them the whole story about what's going on - recent job loss, you have 2 minors in the home, etc.
I had this happen to me when I was using prescriptive meds for my face/acne. That last time I went they told me my stuff was going to be 100 plus $. I croaked because just the month before it was only 5$! They told me my insurence wouldn't cover it for me anymore because I turned 31! Can you believe that? Crazy. I didn't pay for it and went to Costco and bought their stuff and it has worked great.
I hope it works out for you.
OH Jill, I am so sorry! What a nightmare! But what do you do? Like you said, you would pay anything to get rid of the headache...I never thought of contacting the drug company, but what a great idea. It seems ridiculous they can charge so much!!
We do have insurance...although we have to pay for it ourselves and it feels like so much money every month. Our prescriptions are cheap (thank goodness...one reason insurance is worth it), but I do have to pay a ton for Noelle's epi-pens. She has never had a reaction where she needed one (thank goodness), but I don't want to ever take that chance so every year I have to buy her 3 or 4 new pens (and then throw them away at the end of the year...unused!) While I am so greatful we never have to use them it is tough to shell out the money.
I hope it all works out. Natasha's advice is awesome! It's nice to have friends who know how the system works!
My mom takes migraine medication a lot, and not only is it expensive but it also makes her feel beat with a stick the next day. It gives her fluish symptoms, but it's worth it to get rid of the horrible pain. I feel so bad for migraine sufferers. Don't know what it's like.
We have insurance, thankfully, because John just took Jack to the ER. We think he may have broken his leg or sprained his ankle - just walking through the kitchen!!!
I am so sorry that you get the migraines and you need the medicine. I wish I had a great remedy for you. I'll find a miracle herbal drug for you.
This reminds me of when we were visiting in 2006 and Ashley had ruptured her eardrum b/c her infection was so bad and we went on the plane not knowing... and I went to Costco to fill it and it was $100 for the tiniest bottle of drops for her ear. (Do you remember?) I paid it and walked away then realized this is like $140 AUS dollars for me and I can't afford it! Plus, I had already paid for the $30 antibiotic too. I ended up returning the drops 10 seconds later and they did it for me, thank goodness. What a crime. Seriously. It's just wrong. Bring on socialized medicine Obama! Ha.
Ouch! I am very blessed to have insurance so I didn't have to pay $534.32 for a little, itty, bitty bottle of eye drops. I am sure they were part magic and part gold.
Hi, you don't know me... but I stalk your blog. (I've just never had the guts to comment) I found your blog, from a friend of a friend of a friend. I'm not sure how, but I'm hooked. Pretty crazy I know, but I'm drawn to your blog. I love that your so open to talk about anything and everything. I also love your great picture taking ability. Anyway's, I read your last blog and feel for ya. I work in pharmacy and I have a few ideas that might help. Some of your friends have suggested Maxalt (oral dissolving tab that goes under the tongue) its in the same class of drug, but its just about the same cost wise, (also it is taken at first onset of migraine symptoms) Have you tried asking your doctor about taking Imitrex? (generic name is Sumatriptan) Its available as a pill, spray and injection. Typically one dose can last 3-4 days in worst case scenario. Its often prescribed and our patient seem to like it, and they say it works. (its also commonly available in sample packs from Doctors)
To your friend that commented on taking zofran for nausea during pregnancy. Zofran is now available in generic form called ondanestron. Now that the drug has gone generic, its really cheap now. About 3 or 4 dollars a pill. (ya, I know, not exactly cheap, but its better then 20 bucks) If zofran is still out of your price range, phenergan (promethazine) and compazine (prochlorperazine) are available as well. They are less expensive then zofran, and work pretty good.
anyway, I hope you get the relief you need.
Fellow Sister in the Church
Kelley, California
Thanks for your comment Kelley. I appreciate your kind words about my blog and the pharmacy info. I hope you'll feel free to comment anytime!
One time I went to get my Enbrel filled and the woman said "that will be $1200.00". I'm not kidding!!! It was for a two week supply. You can guess what my response was.
I guess my insurance refused to pay, because it was indicated for my illness, however my PHYSICIAN was the one that wrote the prescription.
You could also see if you doctor has samples or if they have any information regarding patient assistance.
was not indicated.. sorry.
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