Prescription drug prices and generic drug law

[Bojack Horseman]

So today I was diagnosed with type 2 bipolar, and prescribed Abilify. Something interesting happened when I went to fill the prescription. Name-brand Abilify without insurance is $1,070 for a 30-day supply, versus $966 for generic. With my insurance, I could have paid $332 for the generic, or used the "Abilify savings card" to pay $5 a month for name-brand Abilify, versus around $580 a month with insurance.

I have a feeling this is a game they're playing to get around the generic drug laws enacted in the 1980s. They're billing your insurance for $490 for a medication that probably costs a few cents per pill to make, and with that markup, they can afford to take a bath on the rest by eating the rest, less the $5 you pay each month.

[Hermit For Peace]

I like that Bernie is on this issue and he probably won't let go until the day he dies.

Go Bernie!

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

So today I was diagnosed with type 2 bipolar, and prescribed Abilify. Something interesting happened when I went to fill the prescription. Name-brand Abilify without insurance is $1,070 for a 30-day supply, versus $966 for generic. With my insurance, I could have paid $332 for the generic, or used the "Abilify savings card" to pay $5 a month for name-brand Abilify, versus around $580 a month with insurance.

I have a feeling this is a game they're playing to get around the generic drug laws enacted in the 1980s. They're billing your insurance for $490 for a medication that probably costs a few cents per pill to make, and with that markup, they can afford to take a bath on the rest by eating the rest, less the $5 you pay each month.

That's really weird how the generic isn't any less expensive than that.   

But yes, if it were up to makers of brand name drugs, the insurance would cover everything and there'd be no copays. They're willing to give out cards and coupons a lot of the time to cover the copay, if it means people are taking the drug.

Also, your insurance only pays for half the cost of the medication?  Ugh.

[Bojack Horseman]

So today I was diagnosed with type 2 bipolar, and prescribed Abilify. Something interesting happened when I went to fill the prescription. Name-brand Abilify without insurance is $1,070 for a 30-day supply, versus $966 for generic. With my insurance, I could have paid $332 for the generic, or used the "Abilify savings card" to pay $5 a month for name-brand Abilify, versus around $580 a month with insurance.

I have a feeling this is a game they're playing to get around the generic drug laws enacted in the 1980s. They're billing your insurance for $490 for a medication that probably costs a few cents per pill to make, and with that markup, they can afford to take a bath on the rest by eating the rest, less the $5 you pay each month.

That's really weird how the generic isn't any less expensive than that.   

But yes, if it were up to makers of brand name drugs, the insurance would cover everything and there'd be no copays. They're willing to give out cards and coupons a lot of the time to cover the copay, if it means people are taking the drug.

Also, your insurance only pays for half the cost of the medication?  Ugh.

I've been on a medication merry-go-round the last month. When I took Wellbutrin, it was about $70 market price, and with insurance it was about $12. When I was on Brintellix, it was around $330 market price, down to $65 with insurance, and the coupon got it to $10.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

That's really weird how the generic isn't any less expensive than that.   

Not really.  Some drugs are going to be expensive to make, no matter who makes them, if the quality control is good.  I have a family member who is on several medicines, all generic, and the cost of them without insurance would range anywhere from $15 to $600.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

That's really weird how the generic isn't any less expensive than that.   

Not really.  Some drugs are going to be expensive to make, no matter who makes them, if the quality control is good.  I have a family member who is on several medicines, all generic, and the cost of them without insurance would range anywhere from $15 to $600.

The small difference between brand name and generic is what I meant. but I guess once the generic is available the brand name medicines tend to go down a lot in price.