Wal-Mart drugs $4.00 for 3 day supply

[GrandmaA]

Don't you love Wal-Mart? Imagine being able to go down there and get a month's supply of our meds for $4. My hepatologist said my meds would cost $15,000. Now Target is going to match that offer. Yeah, sock to the the drug companies. This is the free market way! I know our hep. C meds are specialty and probably won't be included, but it was fun to fantacize for a few minutes. Keep smiling. LOL Have a great day everyone.

[GrandmaA]

I meant to say 30 day supply. This Wal Mart thing is brand new. It starts in Jan. in Florida. I heard Costco was good.

[avidreader]

The Walmart "offer" is for a limited number of generic drugs only. They are 'testing' this in the Tampa Florida area first with intentions to roll it out to other parts of the country as time goes on. The list of drugs they will supply for $4 should be released today, but my understanding is that many conditions and conditions including the most effective generics for treating hypertension will not be on the list. Apparently many of the generic antibiotics will not be either. I've heard that the generic  Prozac (AD) will be, but that's already pretty cheap. Given Walmart's corporate history, I'm not expecting any miracles or gifts here!

[NYgirl]

I heard about that but I just can't see how they can do it with drugs that are as expensive as Interferon and Procrit and stuff.

Things like Ambien and Amoxicillan and stuff yes but the big name designer drugs that we are on for a dollar a day?

I just can't see it being reasonable in any way.

PS Grandma - while they say $20,000 for the Interferon & Riba - you have to remember the cost is actually MUCH higher for treatment and total cost is probably more like $100,000.

They don't bother to tell us that because most of them don't know it.  But when you add all the meds in and cost of CBCs and Hep Panels and Biopsys etc. etc. etc.  it's at least that much.

Epogen was $6,000 for ONE little box of ten vials which only lasted me a month.  I've been on it for about 50 weeks so far.....

[NYgirl]

That makes MUCH MUCH MUCH more sense.

I really honestly wouldn't want the big drug companies going out of business or where would us Heppers be?  They need to make money since that is their goal...and that is why they try to invent new drugs.

Which help US in the end.

I just didn't see how they could do it on $4 a day.  That makes much more sense.

[GrandOak]

Article in local paper claims Target plans to match Walmart's pricing.

[NYgirl]

I had a very bad accident in 2004 - a week before my insurance kicked in at my job. I was in ICU for ten days. I received an almost $50,000 bill from the hospital.

I send them $50 every single month.  It will take me a lifetime to pay off but - it seems unless you are absolutely destitute living in poverty the state will not help pay it at all.

[Sue Impe]

I heard that Costco has real cheap prescriptions. Anyone buy their's there?

[NYgirl]

Of course it depends on what you "have".  As a single mom I don't have much but the meager monies I do make put me well over the qualifying amount.

I think you have to literally be at like poverty level before the state will help.  Some hospitals have "funds" set aside for people with no insurance but - the same people who qualify for state help seem to qualify for them.

As long as you send them something EVERY month - they can't come after you for it.  They will make some arrangment. That's always a just in case thing we're talking about with you ... but I thought it might be helpful to somebody else too.

[jr978]

The walmart price is only for 300 generics, ambien wouldnt be included in that since there isnt a generic.  All the drugs stores will eventually sell for 4$, I used to work at brooks pharmacy and they always match other store prices.  But some of these generics are about 5 cents per 30 days supply, believe it or not.  for example hydrochlorathiazide is so cheap I think aspirin is more expensive.  So the drugs store are still making a lot of money.  I can only imagine what walmart pays for these generic drugs.

[Jeffyboy]

some day we will get Pegasys at the Dollar store I can dream can't I?

[GrandmaA]

It is supposed to include Viagra! Go figure!

Yes, NYgirl I know the total cost is much higher, everything added up. The doctor was only talking about the 2 medicines when he told me it would cost $15,000. I thought my copay would be $5,000. or one third.

I didn't know you are a mother. That's great. A blessing from the Lord. My granddaughter keeps everyone up all night. I think she's on China time. She's white with Asian features - very beautiful. Her mother went to China when she was 2-5 mos. along. She kept her mother up every night the last 2 mos. of preg. She will be a month old this weekend. She falls asleep in the morning. But this should be on a different forum. Sorry.