posted on May 11, 2001 03:47:25 PM new
I went into the drug store today to renew some prescriptions. They had called me from the main office two days ago to ask if I wanted a certain Rx in a generic form. I said of course, if it's available. Then I asked how much it was and the girl said she had no idea but she knew it would be at least half of what I spent last month on the "real" thing.
Okay, so I renewed all my Rx's and when it came time to pay the bill, I asked why this particular drug cost more than the one I had filled last month, if this one was generic! Last month it was $35.00. This time, the generic was $99! The pharmacist fidgeted and mumbled and finally told me my insurance had changed, therefore, it was supposed to be even higher! He quoted me another $115.00 this time. He called Blue Cross/Blue Shield a discount card! Excuse me? They're an insurance company.
Needless to say, I found I could buy this particular drug over the counter! Why I wasn't told it was the same drug - well, a money making opportunity for the drug company couldn't go unsurpassed. I bought 90 tablets for $21.99. A real big difference there!
Watch your pharmacists - especially the chain store ones.
