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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phil on October 14, 2012, at 21:52:27
SEROQUEL 300 MG TABLET (ZEN) $1,026.20
QUETIAPINE FUMARATE 300 MG TAB (NOR)
Generic Alternative $36.28This is for 60 tabs at Costco. I could buy 1.5 year supply before I hit the brand price.
Lamictal was worse! I understand that these companies have lots of overhead etc, you know research $, payroll $$, paying off shrinks $$$$$.
I'm going to ask my doc next time I see him after Thanksgiving..hey doc, you ever been offered cold hard cash from a drug rep? Why is the US buying half of the $5.7 billion in sales Seroquel is generating? I'll say it with a smile but I will ask.
Outrageous(pounds desk)
Posted by phillipa on October 14, 2012, at 23:58:33
In reply to It's not like we didn't know this..generics, posted by Phil on October 14, 2012, at 21:52:27
Open mouthed. Incredible & Outrageous!!! Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 0:35:58
In reply to Re: It's not like we didn't know this..generics » Phil, posted by phillipa on October 14, 2012, at 23:58:33
I beleive that 100 x 5mg Brand Name Valium are about 100 dollars in the US, in Australia about 10 dollars.
Given that Valium has been on the market for 50 years, all that stuff about R&D costs cant be tue in that case, its just sheer profiteering
Posted by bennybenzo on October 15, 2012, at 11:21:43
In reply to Re: It's not like we didn't know this..generics, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 0:35:58
On the subject of valium , is it just me that thinks valium is about has good has a chocolate coffee pot.
Posted by Phil on October 15, 2012, at 18:55:16
In reply to Re: It's not like we didn't know this..generics, posted by bennybenzo on October 15, 2012, at 11:21:43
OK
Costco (60) 300mg---$36.28
Grocery store---------$850
Walmart---------------$542
When I told the new pharmacist at the grocery store Costco's price she went into a state of disbelief and the giggles. What's funny is the pharmacy manager told me, I'll take care of you. I'll call Costco and Walmart and match the lowest price. I won't hold him to it. I have to assume that these drugs are out of India. Maybe elsewhere. The drug maker NOR, not sure what that stands for.
What do y'all thing of this situation? Buy from Costco(my only choice) but have a lawyer on standby? I dunno.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 19:00:53
In reply to An $800 question, posted by Phil on October 15, 2012, at 18:55:16
The FDA must have approved the generic - and just because it comes from India doesnt mean its low quality - taking a bulk chemical and pressing it into tablets isnt difficult, the days of The White Mans Burden are long gone, the Indians have built a thermonuclear boms, I'm pretty sure they can stamp out a tablet with a fair degree of compotence
I'd go for it.
Posted by Phil on October 15, 2012, at 19:14:42
In reply to Re: An $800 question, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 19:00:53
I agree. Almost every Indian I know is way the heck smarter than I am. :)Yes I agree 100% and I highly doubt that Costco want's any negative headlines on their generics ie, death.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 19:31:21
In reply to Re: An $800 question » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phil on October 15, 2012, at 19:14:42
I've brought Indian Seroquel off of the internet (I know i shouldnt, but) and i am positive its genuian, a 50mg pill gives me 8 hours of deep uninterupted sleep when i need it.
Posted by phillipa on October 15, 2012, at 20:38:07
In reply to Re: An $800 question, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 19:31:21
If the pharmacy manager said he would match Costco's price. Would this mean you can fill you RX at the pharmacy? If so the same generic? Phillipa
Posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 9:15:50
In reply to Re: An $800 question, posted by phillipa on October 15, 2012, at 20:38:07
I went to the FDA's website and they have given their approval on tons of drugs for import from India. That is FDA approved. But I couldn't find Seroquel because their site is so weird. I couldn't find a list of approved drugs..give me a list!
I like my pharmacy and the manager and it's close by and there's hardly ever a wait. I won't ask him to match Costco but I'm going to tell him that I could push this right up the food chain. I know how to raise a stink. It would get to the VP of pharmacy because retail wise, I think I would eat the district managers lunch. I don't know much but I know retail. But it would come back to my pharmacist and he's good and I know him pretty well. I don't want that to happen.
But! I've done him a few favors. I picked up 4 scripts there one time and they were in the same bag with receipts stapled on the outside. They were stapled on top of each other but(I just woke up and it's going to take an hour to write this and I can't think of the word) ok, staggered so you could see them. The new clerk only charged me for the first one. I called 'Frank' and said hey man I don't want to get this girl fired but your system is almost set up for this to happen. He gave me a good discount the next time. I never saw her again. If that was my first time at that pharmacy I wouldn't have done that. But it wasn't and I didn't want them looking at $110 shortage. Maybe I'm too nice or too honest but we all have our faults. :)
I don't want to buy a Costco membership but I would still be hundreds of dollars ahead. Not sure if I already said this but Costco obviously a big respected company. I don't think that they would source a drug out of Iraq :) and put a customer at risk because if someone died, it would cost then millions of $ just for lost business and the lawsuit. Hopefully they aren't that stupid. I wish I knew the generic mfg and what NOR stands for.
Posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 16:53:46
In reply to Re: An $800 question » phillipa, posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 9:15:50
Costco's price was wrong, it's 30 pills for $111. That's fine, sometimes websites are wrong.
I call my $864 pharmacy and say you guys said you would match any price, Costco has this for $111. She looked ant the computer and , oh sure we can match that. I said how, you cost must be $700. She said we can sell it for $300 and make 400% profit.
I said why are you selling it for $864. She said sometimes they do that on particular drugs to see what they can get.
I've contacted their national headquarters and as the lady was taking my complaint I said I really want to talk to the VP of pharmacy. She said she would get it to him.
I then called the Texas Pharmacy Board, the lady said you can fill out a com...I want to talk to somebody now. So I talk to this guy and he couldn't believe it. They deal more with licensing than these issues but said we will send someone out there.
Next the Attorney Generals office but my phone died so tomorrow. To the AG's office you're guilty until proven innocent. I think the grocery store chain and maybe Walmart too are about to feel the wrath of god(AG) and I hope that nationwide something changes.
I'm not seething with anger, I tell the people, let me tell you a story, then I do.
Car salesmen are angels compared to this.
BTW I talked to the pharmacist at Costco and I asked if their drug was FDA approved. She said yes we just run a tight margin on drugs.
Posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 18:44:18
In reply to Last post on this but it's a doozie, posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 16:53:46
Written complaint filed with Attorney General. Phone complaint with Texas Board of Pharmacy and Safeway HQ. Did the VP return my call? No the asst mgr of the store. I was polite and told her you can't help with this I want to talk with the VP.
The AG won't be able to help because there was no transaction and businesses can set retail at whatever they want.
An exercise in futility but I think it's better than just forgetting about it.
Posted by phillipa on October 16, 2012, at 18:48:07
In reply to Re: Last post on this but it's a doozie, posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 18:44:18
Phil for reference you don't need a Costco membership to purchase medication. Did it all the time. Then decided to get one. Phillipa
Posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 18:53:21
In reply to Re: Last post on this but it's a doozie » Phil, posted by phillipa on October 16, 2012, at 18:48:07
Yeah I know. I spoke to the pharmacist. I'm sure I'll buy a membership later.
I am now a big Costco fan.
Posted by phillipa on October 16, 2012, at 19:55:09
In reply to Re: Last post on this but it's a doozie » phillipa, posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 18:53:21
Careful of the food samples Phillipa
Posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 20:34:42
In reply to Re: Last post on this but it's a doozie » phillipa, posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 18:53:21
I worked with a guy that used to manage a grocery store. He said Phil...yeah...never eat at the store deli. HAHA!!
Posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 12:44:46
In reply to Re: Last post on this but it's a doozie » Phil, posted by Phil on October 16, 2012, at 20:34:42
I can really get wound up when I think that something isn't fair. Today I wake up to a new world and ask myself why I would report the best pharmacy with the best people that I consider friends? They did everything they said they would. Am I the protector of mankind? Why should I care about $800 retail if they price match.
Too late now. I hope I did the right thing and they know it's not personal.
Feedback appreciated.
Posted by bennybenzo on October 17, 2012, at 13:18:25
In reply to Like a hangover waking up to regrets, posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 12:44:46
Phil. You have guilt over your dicision forget it , if they were you friends why didnt they tell you about how to pay less while you were shelling out the big money. Like any store the skanked an spanked you , f*ck em look after yourself.
Posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 16:06:30
In reply to Re: Like a hangover waking up to regrets, posted by bennybenzo on October 17, 2012, at 13:18:25
I cancelled my complaints and here's why. I was wrong but still right. On Costco's website they had 60 pills for $38.00. When I called them it was 30 pills for $111.00, still dirt cheap. So I called Walmart again. $279 for 30 pills. I said but you price match right. She said Walgreens and CVS only. So why not Costco? Because they're too cheap. (that's an honest answer lol)
But I screwed up because when I originally got quotes and since Costco was for 60 pills thats where I got those prices. That was my mistake but, costco $111, Walmart $279, my store $425 but they will match Costco. It's still wrong but to be completely honest I didn't really want to get my pharm in a lot of trouble because he has done what he said and not even Walmart will do it.This is my first time in my life buying meds without insurance so my pharmacy hasn't ripped me off. In ten years or more I have not had one problem with them and I mean zip.
Even though they shouldn't charge what they do, I'm going to be selfish and let the next customer deal with it. But I will never buy a med without checking Costco first.
Wish my memory or note taking was better but maybe when the asst mgr told the pharm mgr that I filed with the AG, maybe it made them think. I'll be picking up two scripts tomorrow and I'm going to tell them what I did and why. Hopefully that will go up the food chain and something can be done because if someone doesn't have insurance it's because they don't have money. So justify why you do what you do.
Posted by phillipa on October 17, 2012, at 20:38:15
In reply to Re: Like a hangover waking up to regrets » bennybenzo, posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 16:06:30
Complaint you did the right thing withdrew it as the employees are not responsible for their company's policies. I go to the top. And the med companies prices have a lot to do with it. There is where we need change and not to generics. Phillipa
Posted by jane d on October 17, 2012, at 23:01:56
In reply to Re: Like a hangover waking up to regrets » bennybenzo, posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 16:06:30
> Even though they shouldn't charge what they do, I'm going to be selfish and let the next customer deal with it. But I will never buy a med without checking Costco first.
>Check all of them for each prescription. Prices can be all over the place. Welcome to wonderful world of cash purchases. :)
Posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 23:14:42
In reply to Re: Like a hangover waking up to regrets » Phil, posted by jane d on October 17, 2012, at 23:01:56
Since you don't need a membership to buy meds, I think Costco is using them almost as a loss leader to draw people in. The pharmacy customer signs up, Gotcha.
Posted by jane d on October 18, 2012, at 17:48:54
In reply to Re: Like a hangover waking up to regrets » jane d, posted by Phil on October 17, 2012, at 23:14:42
> Since you don't need a membership to buy meds, I think Costco is using them almost as a loss leader to draw people in. The pharmacy customer signs up, Gotcha.
I vaguely recall reading somewhere that Costco was not allowed to restrict it's pharmacy to members only in some states. I've never used them myself but am keeping them in mind if I ever need a med that's not on the supermarket's four dollar generics list.
This is the end of the thread.
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