The cost of allopurinol
Allopurinol is the only prescription drug that I take so it is easy forme to remember how much it costs.
The first time I needed to have a prescription filled I went to Walmart.Makes sense, right? - their prices are better than anywhere else. As itturned out the store I went to was out of it and the druggist suggestedthat I go to K-mart for the best price. It was about $10.
By the time I needed some more a month later K-mart had closed thatstore and sold its pharmacy records to Winn Dixie, a local supermarketchain, so I went to Winn Dixie and the price there was about $11.
The third month I decided to try Walmart again and I was charged about$15. I thought that was a lot but I had already ordered it, I was out ofit, and I didn’t want to have to do any price comparisons.
This time I went back to Walmart and asked the clerk how much it wouldcost. $18. “Prices sometimes go up.” I told him I’ll shop around first.
I called Winn Dixie and the price came up $9 and change. Just to makesure they didn’t make a mistake I called Ekart Drugs and their price was$11 and change.
I called Walmart back and asked why their prescription would cost twicewhat it would be in a nearby pharmacy in a supermarket. The druggisttold me that it is because their drugs are better.
That gave me a good laugh but it also told me a lot about Walmartsupposedly having the lowest prices. Signs in their stores say they willmatch any price but I guess that doesn’t apply to the drug department.
Terrance Molock on August 27th, 2007
Bill..buying your health/paying for it has SADLY,SADLY,SADLYbecome pretty much NO DIFFERENT!! than..fixng an old truck. IT IS HAS BECOME!! BUYER BEWARE!!!..I don’t think there has everbeen a time when more people have to more than ever..ALWAYS!!!..doyour homework..check EVERYTHING out..double/triple check..read/doresearch..your doctor..your pharmacist..your drugs..
I know,I know you shouldn’t have to..there should be an almostGUARANTEE..that your doctor/your pharmacist/your drugsare..100%..you/me..anyone should definitely not have to do this..butwe do..just do it. I am EXTREMELY lucky that I have GREAT! doctors..1 g.p.,3specialists..these guys are 100%..absolutely..but,but,but…I REALLYdo my homework..no I don’t try to trip them up/catchthem..excessively doubt/question them..ie..bug them..not respect them.
I am in Canada..during a monster gout attack I got a scrip. forcolchicine..my friend phones the Shoppers Drug Mart..they haveit..there..for $25..she comes back with Vioxx..for about twice asmuch..(plus Vioxx does not work for me)I make her call them back..nothey say they don’t have colchicine..they checked their and someother rinky dink database..oh no one has colchicine..oh you can notget colchicine..it’s a really old drug.Just WHERE did this MONKEYpharmacist..get the idea in his NOTHING brain that he..not aDr.could just change the prescription??I’ll deal with this moron whenI am better I say.On the phone she goes..it is common..the costs varyfrom $8-$25.Later they flat out refused to refund my money.
Back to allopurinol..ya I know..some say the generic drugs aren’tas good..I really shopped around..my allopurinol costs $8 for 100days. Shop around..get your Dr. to write you a REALLY longprescription..for like 2 years or something..with like a zillionrepeats..some pharmacies/drug companies do not like this..may not doit.They want their “multiple cost dispensing fees”..plus some like toreally jerk you around every time you need more..they no longer haveit on file..etc.It is different/costs of course more..etc.,etc., Yeah..do like me..get a really long scrip.with lottsarepeats..it’ll all be on file..for future/past ref..they’ll treat yougood..they pretty much have your business..money.. for a coupleyears..if they ever start..or try to give ya the ol gear jive..youdon’t have to stay with them..phone your Dr…and go somewhere else.. My rheumatologist once told me..if there was EVER anyproblem..1..ONE phone call to his office..and it would be fixed NOW. A good Dr. can really help you out with the prescription..andcost thing.Be a little careful with Dr.s that are aligned withclinics/pharmacies..that whole medical complex thing.They can steerpeople to the more expensive drugs..that sorta coincidentally..canonly be had where he is..