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Drug
Prices
It seems that a couple of
prices listed in the survey (see Drug
Prices) in the January/ February issue were incorrect.
I did some checking and got for Fortovase (540 capsules) $659.49
from CostCo and $610.79 from Drugstore.com. For Invirase (270
capsules) I got $592.19 from Costco and $562.87 from Drugstore.com.
Prices always have to be
compared apples to apples (same quantity and strength). All
pharmacies (retail or Internet) pay within a percentage or
two the exact same price for merchandise. This is a federal
law. A hospital can contract for different prices, but is
not allowed to sell directly to the patient. These drugs are
purchased and used within the hospital. Mail order pharmacies
also can contract with manufacturers, but they are not allowed
to sell the drugs in a retail setting.
The AWP (average wholesale
price) is set to become a level playing field for payers (insurance
and 3rd party payers). For example, Aetna contracts with all
retail pharmacies to give AWP less 13% plus $8.00 to fill
a prescription for Norvir. The drug is purchased from the
manufacturer for about AWP less 15%. This figure is negotiated
between the drug wholesaler and the retail store. Walgreens
probably gets 1-2% better prices than a mom-and-pop store.
The pharmacy profit is the 2% difference plus the $8.00. There
is very little room to have much of a price swing.
Most reputable retail pharmacies
will be in the same ballpark with prices. Of course, if you
shop long and hard enough it may be possible to save some
money.
I hope this helps clarify
the subject.
Glen Pietrandoni, R.Ph.,
Chicago
Bush
on Drugs
Am I the only one who heard
President Bush say this during the State of the Union address?
“AIDS can be prevented. Anti-retroviral drugs can extend life
for many years. And the cost of those drugs has dropped from
$12,000 dollars a year to under $300 dollars a year.” This
statement about knocked me to the floor. I used last year’s
Positively Aware to check wholesale prices and my own
private health insurance statements to see if I was missing
something. Here’s what I found.
My current anti-viral medications
(taken every day, wholesale prices): Zerit (d4t) $3,960 a
year, $330 month (retail price as of May 2001 was $489); Epivir
(3TC) $3,435 a year, $286 per month; Crixivan (indinavir)
$6,280 a year, $523 per month.
President Bush was misguided
in his speech, and this just proves there is little research
to prepare such speeches, or that no one cares because the
masses are not really affected by AIDS (in the U.S.). His
pep rally proves the point, however his words will stick like
glue. He reported that HIV can be treated with pills for little
more than the cost of a trip to the doctor for some pills
to stay well. Of course the focus on the speech was the Iraq
issue and the start of his speech was mere fluff, that at
this time doesn’t interest most. I have a private insurance
plan funded by state payments of my premium under Ryan White,
otherwise I would have no prescription plan. As it is, my
out-of-pocket is stifling at $1,500 a year, based on my yearly
income on SSDI [Social Security Disability Insurance], which
is all I have for now. Tell me please where can I get in on
this $300 a year plan for my antivirals? Where did Bush get
that figure in his speech? It is very upsetting to hear a
positive approach being proposed by our President with regards
to possible help for Africa’s mega-doom and then in the same
speech give incorrect information regarding drug prices. How
is one to believe anything said?
Name withheld
via the Internet
Editor’s Note: As you
can see from the article “Drug
Prices” in the January/February issue, there’s no HIV
antiviral in the United States that costs $300 a year. Never
mind a combination regimen (which is the standard of care).There
are generic combinations available in developing countries
that can cost about $300 a year. That was probably the reference
Bush made. However, the Bush administration and many pharmaceutical
companies have opposed generic manufacturering of anti-HIV
meds. Furthermore, even at those prices, therapy still remains
unaffordable to the majority of people in those countries.—Enid
Vázquez
Talkin’
‘bout My Generation
Just a quick word of thanks
for your website and the recent article by David
Weeks (November/December). My diagnosis came in July,
and it’s taken me this long to catch my breath after the news.
I was just referred to your site by a friend last week, and
already, it has been a great resource for me. David’s article
struck a chord with me, probably because we’re close in age
and he grew up in central Virginia as did I. It helped me
to hear the story of his journey as I sort through where I
am now and the many choices ahead. Mostly, it provided a ray
of hope in an otherwise dark period for me. And for that,
I am grateful. Thanks again for the work you’re doing. It’s
making a difference, one person at a time.
Name withheld,
via the Internet
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