This is big news--but it didn't just happen by chance.

[bigtree]

Bernie Sanders @SenSanders 31m
After our investigation into the outrageously high cost of inhalers in the U.S., Boehringer Ingelheim agreed to reduce the cost of its inhalers to $35, bringing financial relief to Americans who need these inhalers to breathe.

Now the other inhaler companies must follow suit.


More Perfect Union @MorePerfectUS
BREAKING: Pharma giant Boehringer Ingelheim will bring down the cost of inhalers from $525 to $35 a month for most patients. They're one of the four major inhaler makers. This move, which could help millions, comes after massive public pressure and a federal lawsuit.


Elizabeth Warren @SenWarren
This is big news—but it didn't just happen by chance.

Democrats in Congress pressed Big Pharma to lower costs.

@POTUS Biden capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors with diabetes.

Now inhaler costs are coming down.

@GSK, @AstraZeneca, & @TevaUSA need to step up!


...this is HUGE!! I'm thinking it will be just a matter of time before my astra zenaca Symbicort is reduced. Fingers crossed.

THANKS BERNIE!!!

Link to tweet

[PatSeg]

1. That is a really big deal

The prices on many of these inhalers is outrageous and I have no doubt that some people have died because they could not afford the cost, often $500 a month or more.

[bigtree]

3. my insurance doesn't even cover Symbicort as of this year

...and you're right.

Folks like me with asthma get progressively worse without it. It's been 4 years now since I showed up at the hospital barely able to walk and breath at the same time, much less able to speak enough to check in.

Generic is almost $300 a month, WITH insurance, for this retiree.

I'm doing Good RX these days and transferring my prescription to wherever the price is discounted that month for them.

[Ms. Toad]

9. Have you tried Costco mailorder?

We save around $1000 a year using them. They are often (but not always) cheaper than GoodRx.

[TNNurse]

37. But does your mail show up regularly???

[Ms. Toad]

38. Ours does.

We've been doing mail order pharmacy for more than a decade. Five different companies. Not a single problem with delivery.

[TNNurse]

41. The problem is not the company but the corruption of the USPS.

[Ms. Toad]

44. We have regular mail delivery

Six days a week. If regular mail delivery was an issue it would have shown up in the more than a decade of having our meds delivered by mail.

[TNNurse]

45. Where I live in East TN, mail delivery has been erratic for months. The GOP is to blame.

[erronis]

12. Also check if you can get 340B drugs. I save 70-90% using this federal program

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/340B_Drug_Pricing_Program

It basically allows primary care physicians to have designated pharmacies charge the drug prices that Medicaid negotiates with hospitals and suppliers.

[PatSeg]

17. I have purchased the really expensive ones

from companies overseas. The prices were more reasonable, but there is a long wait time (usually weeks). I liked "Canada Pharmacy" the best. the generic version of Symbicort right now ranges between $34.99 and $75.00. I was on an inhaler, Anoro, that cost $500 a month. Overseas it cost me about $125 (this was a few years ago). I haven't used them in awhile, as I had issues with many of the dual inhalers, so now I just use a regular Albuterol rescue inhaler and medication for my nebulizer (Medicare helps with the cost of nebulizer meds, something I didn't know until this past month).

Here's the link to Canada Pharmacy: https://www.canadapharmacy.com/
Also Global Pharmacy: https://www.globalpharmacyplus.com/customer/account/login/referer/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2xvYmFscGhhcm1hY3lwbHVzLmNvbS9jdXN0b21lci9hY2NvdW50L2luZGV4Lw~~/

You can shop around. There are others out there, but these two worked well for me when I needed them. It was either go with them or go without meds. I completely understand what you're going through. It is bad enough be seriously ill, but then to deal with these drugs companies too is enough to push you over the edge.

[colorado_ufo]

55. I just saw my asthma doctor yesterday and we were exploring prices!

I neglected my asthma for years, just ignoring it because I couldn't afford to use the medicine. I was to the point where I couldn't climb the steps up to my own house. So I started seeing an asthma doctor for the first time a few months ago and what a difference! But what a cost! I've been going through Canada to get drugs and they in turn get them shipped from Turkey and other places. Takes weeks to get here and are still expensive.

[Lovie777]

2. That's really is a big f***ing deal!..............................

K & R!

[Omnipresent]

4. Why didn't any Republican's think to do this?

Oh that’s right, they could give less than a shit!!
Vote all those fuckers out in November!!

[lastlib]

14. It's part of their GOPeeDon'tCare healthcare plan.....

Their masters wouldn't even let them THINK about it.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

31. The Republican Health Plan:

1. Don't get sick.

2. If you do get sick, die quickly.

[SergeStorms]

16. It would cut into....

the blood money pharmaceutical companies spend on keeping republicans (and sadly, a few Democrats as well) fat, happy, and in office every year.
Can't have that, can we.

[PatSeg]

19. And regular people STILL vote for them!

Go figure.

Every voter should ask their representatives, "What have you done for me?"

[Omnipresent]

22. Somehow Republicans get a pass for doing nothing.

Many of their constituents are clueless about the need for consumer protections.

[PatSeg]

26. It truly is mindboggling

This isn't a Democratic issue, it is a human issue. People get sick regardless of party affiliation and we know that all republicans aren't rich. I've even heard that republicans drive over those bridges that desperately need to be repaired!

[markodochartaigh]

25. The Republican bootstrap inhaler plan

"Just breathe faster".

[AllaN01Bear]

5. good. like to see this applied to other way over priced meds.

it really chaffes me to see in the usa the overinflated costs of meds wheras the prices overseas really reflect the true costs of these meds and yet we give pharma bro huge subsides.

[markodochartaigh]

27. And

our tax dollars go to support grants and universities which do much of the research for new medicines.

[dmr]

6. WOW! This is wonderful news!

The difference in cost between the United States and Europe is very sad.

[ShazzieB]

21. It's criminal imo.

It should not be allowed!

[calimary]

29. Agreed. TOTALLY agreed.

Those executives soaking the sick for profit are likely to be directed to the Down Elevator when they die.

But the sick need help NOW.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Almost 15 years ago

I was on Advair after getting pneumonia and it was something like $225/month (I paid $75 I think and my BCBS picked up the rest). This was before any generics. That was obscene.

The U.S. does subsidize the rest of the world's cost. When Europe says, "Uh no.", they mean it.

[Voltaire2]

51. We aren't subsidizing the rest of the world.

All we are doing is lining the pockets of plutocrats. This product is profitable at $35.

[BumRushDaShow]

53. The rest of the world

puts their foot down on the gouging but we still pay for those yachts and whatnot.

[BittyJenkins]

8. Thanks for the post!

I need them and have been doing without because Medicare Rx costs skyrocket if I need one or I psy out of pocket which I can’t afford.

[jaxexpat]

10. Gimme some more of that democratic-socialism!

[ShazzieB]

23. Right?

Bring it on!

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Another Investigation Is Needed

They were charging $490 bucks MORE than they needed to be profitable. Obviously the didn't agree to this new price to lose hundreds per prescription.
Patents are long expired, and we need to investigate how they are manipulating intellectual property laws to see if they are illegally extending the term of their patents.
I see no other reason why there would be no competitors making the product at standard margins, other than a belief than the intellectual property laws prevent it.
Geez, people still make aspirin. What are the margins involved? That's why I am highly suspicious that somebody else didn't compete for, and then dominate the market based on price.

[ShazzieB]

24. Excellent suggestion!

Patents are long expired, and we need to investigate how they are manipulating intellectual property laws to see if they are illegally extending the term of their patents.

[ProfessorGAC]

33. I Testified As An Expert Witness...

...in a trial where the plaintiff was rebuffed by the defendant in an attempt to artificially extend a patent. The defendant company refused because that was against the law.
So I know first hand that companies with FDA registered products engage in such chicanery, or at least try to.
BTW, the defendant won the case.

[Wicked Blue]

13. My insurer Cigna now refuses to pay for albuterol inhalers

which I carry in case of sudden breathing problems.

They always paid for these in previous years.

I also used the Advair inhalers, but Cigna now only covers the generic ones.

What on earth do insurance companies expect people with asthma to do, just choke to death?

[Wounded Bear]

15. More good news that the M$M will probably ignore...nt

[flashman13]

18. I have been buying my asthma drugs from a Canadian pharmacy for the last 15 years.

I buy name brands manufactured in Canada in quantity at a significant, really significant, savings. I have never had an issue with receiving it through the mail. One package was lost in shipping and they replaced it at no cost to me. I use a pharmacy in Vancouver. It is a brick and mortar drug store and not a call center.
If you need meds, you should at least check it out.

Just FYI - this isn't a commercial. I'm just trying to acquaint my friends with my experiences. I hesitate to name my pharmacy in this post. If you want the name just drop me a DU mail and I will pass on the info.

[flashman13]

20. BTW, you do have to have a doctor's prescription.

If you request it, doctor's have to provide you with a paper copy. You just scan it and email it to the pharmacy.

[Martin68]

28. Great success. We need to keep pressing for this kind of change across the board.

[Aristus]

30. I remember when it was still possible to buy an albuterol inhaler over the counter.

I guess the Ayn Rand-worshipping, MBA Dudebros closed that leaky money faucet.

[Warpy]

32. I had to wheeze into an inhaler in Boston, the city is massively polluted

but after the first few years and mandatory gasohol in cars in winter, I was able to stop them.

This is a border state, so I'd go down to Mexico every few months for a resupply. I think they were eight bucks down there. Their prices have likely gone up since then, but I doubt it's by much. The only difference I noticed (other than the label) was slightly less propellant.

[JohnnyRingo]

34. I have Trilegy. It costs $10 a day, and that's the Medicare co-pay.

Over the counter they cost over $600 for a month and supplemental insurance pays half.
Fortunately, my doctor gives me samples, but I have to save them for when I really need it.

I joke that I can't afford to breath.

[usaf-vet]

35. This happened during a Democratic president's tenure. IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN GOP TENURE. AND WOULD.....

......LIKELY DOUBLE IN ANOTHER TRUMP 2024.

Also, there would likely be a side-undisclosed "vig" for tfg grift.

[VGNonly]

36. Insulin and inhalers

Cost relief courtesy of the Democratic Party. Thanks Biden!!!

T-rump would just do a Pharma Dude type price gouge for whatever the traffic would bare.

[OldBaldy1701E]

39. Seems to me that these companies are all but admitting that they are overcharging by a lot.

Their business license should be revoked until they can prove to a governmental board that they will not gouge the American public again. Which should be fun to watch. Oh, it would never happen... greed is now a virtue in this country... but, without consequences they will just do it again as soon as they figure out how to be better at getting away with it.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

46. Getting rid of the shareholder primacy

Bullshit law would change this price gouging shit. In place of shareholders put the the public,customers employees,society and the environment all this corporate shit would stop pronto.
Then get rid of corporate personhood and make corporate charters subject to being cancelled. The world would change overnight.

[OldBaldy1701E]

48. Yep! (n/t)

[Voltaire2]

52. There is no law limiting this shitty behavior.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

40. The magic hand of the (monopolized) market didn't do it, Democrats did.

[malaise]

42. from $525 to $35 a month for most patients.

WTF??

[stage left]

43. Absolutely wonderful!

Thank you, Bernie and you, too Mr. President.

[AZLD4Candidate]

47. Thank you, Mr. Sanders. I loves me some Bernie Sanders! I will always love me some Bernie Sanders

I don't agree 100% of the time, but 95% is good enough for me

[CarolinaNC]

49. Diabetes....Great news! This is what it has cost! Just this month!

Prescription Number Quantity Price*
Jardiance 25mg Tablets

863261-11353 90 $2198.99


Total: $2198.99

[CarolinaNC]

50. and still waiting on inhaler??? Insurance Co ignoring that prescription???????????

[electric_blue68]

54. Makes me a bit teary eyed. My mom was a severe asthmatic. Inhaiers were Essential...

...for her to stay alive.
Part of our family life.

I'll be glad for everyone able to benefit from this!

Thanks, Bernie & Biden!

[malthaussen]

56. That "$35" insulin confuses me.

As I just bought OTC insulin at a CVS (still waiting for an appointment with a doctor to get a prescription), and it cost $50.

Whereas when I have gotten it at Walmart in the past, it was only $25. This is for the exact same product. I got the latest at CVS because there is no Walmart within range for me.

-- Mal