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649848 tn?1534633700

Tirosint Price Increase

Just thought I'd let everyone know -- I picked up my refill for Tirosint this morning and the price has doubled, from what I've been paying.  I've been paying $85.44 for 3 months; that jumped to $170.88 for 3 months.  My insurance doesn't cover it, though it does save me a few bucks ($55 on this refill).

I've contacted Akrimax, but don't know if they will respond or not.  I went ahead and got the script because I'm nearly out of med and we're going on vacation in a few days, so I have 3 months to decide what I'm going to do.  I've done so much better on Tirosint, I really hate to switch, but if/when I do, I'll go back to generic levo, since I did better on that, than I did on synthroid.

I just called Walmart and their price is $100.00 more for 3 months than what I paid.  I also called Walgreen's and their price is $20.00 less than my pharmacy.  With the discount I'll get because of my insurance, the cost could be less than $100.00 for 3 months.  

I really hate to change, because I've done a lot better on Tirosint, but I might not have a choice.

Just wanted to let those of you who are on it, or thinking of trying it, to beware; cost wise, it's certainly no longer comparable to other thyroid medications.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the forum... your screen name is "intriguing".  

This thread is a year old and prices listed were from Aug of last year.  Since then, every time I've gotten a refill, the price has gone up.  The last refill I got was over $300 for an 84 (3 months) day supply, which makes it over $100/mo.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'd be happy with $150 for three months. I just paid $104.00 for one month.
That's Insane. It's not even a months supply.... Just 28 days. No components of this drug cost this much. I'm tired of drug companies holding my health for ransome.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Our Walgreen's does too, but the price quoted to me was without that club price and without taking insurance into consideration. If I joined that club, I might get additional savings.  I'll check into it before it's time to refill my script again.

I just really wanted to let people who are on Tirosint or thinking of going on it, what they might be getting into, and also to see what other options might be available.

Haven't heard anything back from Akrimax.
Helpful - 0
798555 tn?1292787551
Thats odd, higher price from Northwest.

Walgreens up here has some "club" membership deal that drops prices.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Universal Drug doesn't seem to carry it.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I checked Northwest Pharmacy.  I got 84 capsules for $170.88 at my own pharmacy and Northwest Pharmacy wants $217.99 for the same 84 capsules.   If I switch to Walgreen's I can get them for $149.89, without insurance. I do have insurance, and though they don't pay, it gets me further discount. Right now, it looks like Walgreen's is my best bet, but I still have a couple other things to check.  
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798555 tn?1292787551
Might look to see if any Canadian online pharmas have it. If they do , it will be cheaper than in the U.S.

Start at Universal Drug or Northwest Pharmacy.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow, that is incredibly expensive. Does your doctor have any manufacturer's coupons? Might be worth asking. When I was on generic levothyroxine I paid some small amount (under $10) per month. Then I switched to Naturethroid and it was about $15/month. But a couple of months into that, it became free. I couldn't figure out if it was due to some change in the healthcare law or what, but long story short... I am grateful. It's criminal to make people pay anything for something as essential as daily thyroid medication.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I pay 19.00 every 21 days for my Synthroid, with my insurance. They won't pay for it, only the generic, but my Endo does not want me on Levo because my levels keep rising with it...

So I am NOT happy with this at all.....

Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I printed the coupon, but unfortunately, it's too late to use for this time around.  I'll have it for the next refill, though.

If I switch to Walgreens, which is about $20 cheaper than my current pharmacy, with the $10 coupon and the discount I'll get because of insurance, I can stay on it for a while.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I emailed them and they did respond.  You can download a $10 coupon from tirosint.com which is good through 2014.  I used it and it worked :)

Here is what they emailed me:

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for your email today. At Akrimax, we understand your concerns about the affordability of pharmaceutical care. The Tirosint price adjustment was necessary to ensure the continued availability of the product. In recent months, the cost of manufacture, importation and essential physician and patient support services has risen to the point where Akrimax cannot continue to offer Tirosint at its former price.

Made in Switzerland, Tirosint is produced to exacting standards with the highest quality ingredients available. It is made in a dedicated production facility. This means that no other products are made in the same location. This eliminates the possibility of Tirosint becoming exposed to ingredients that may be used in the production of other medicines. This is important for patients with allergies, celiac disease and other serious food-related concerns. Because of these factors, the costs to manufacture and distribute Tirosint are higher than other levothyroxine products.

Tirosint remains a tier two or tier three formulary option among most health care insurers. Savings coupons will be available at the Tirosint.com website starting the week of July 29th. We encourage you to visit the site and to download your savings coupons.

You should also note that a Patient Assistance Program is available for indigent patients. This helps to provide Tirosint at no charge to eligible patients for up to one year. To find out more about this program, please call (855) 856 – 6915 between the hours of 9am and 5 pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

We understand your concerns about the recent price increase for Tirosint, and hope that you understand that this was a regrettable but necessary decision. We hope that you decide to remain on Tirosint therapy.  

If you need further assistance we can be reached Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm EST at 1-888-383-1733.

Helpful - 0
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