General Discussion

X_Digger

(18,585 posts) Mon Jan 30, 2012, 09:27 PM Jan 2012

Holy Cow! Go ahead, try to tell me big pharma isn't screwing us over. [View all]

I just picked up a prescription for the missus, and I witnessed a well-deserved melt-down of epic proportions.

I was in the inside lane of two drive-thru lanes at the local pharmacy, and I watched a pharmacy tech ring up a large bag of prescriptions for the guy in the outside lane.

As I could see the register from my position, my jaw started to drop as each item was added.

$359.00 phrx
$478.00 phrx
$218.00 phrx
$585.00 phrx

The grand total? $1,660.

When the tech told the guy the amount, he yelled, "SAY WHAT?!?" .. The tech repeats the total, and he came back with, "Oh NO FUCKING WAY!, I want to speak to your goddamned manager! RIGHT FUCKING NOW!"

The other tech filled my order at that point, so I drove away, but the more I thought about it, the madder I got.

Unless doctors are prescribing gold nuggets for ulcers, there's something seriously wrong with our health care system.

64 replies

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Holy Cow! Go ahead, try to tell me big pharma isn't screwing us over. [View all] X_Digger Jan 2012 OP

Something is screwed up with this system....Things HAVE to change Ecumenist Jan 2012 #1

Absolutely right. It's screwed up on a very large scale! kimmerspixelated Jan 2012 #40

There could be a couple of things going on. Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #2

Maybe the guy was getting 10 years worth of medication. Kablooie Jan 2012 #4

Last year my daughter AC_Mem Jan 2012 #14

Totally agree. Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #20

Psst. I'm working the Pharma world now. onehandle Jan 2012 #3

Those TV commercials are expensive... True Earthling Jan 2012 #5

" Big Pharma Spends More On Advertising Than Research And Development, Study Finds " Bozita Jan 2012 #24

I remember hearing that stunning news. Overseas Jan 2012 #46

Drugs are expensive to develop. Most fail in early studies....... Logical Jan 2012 #6

You may not be aware that you're repeating reheated repuke regurgitation, i.e. talking points. Doremus Jan 2012 #7

It is reality.....I guess in your imaginary world drugs invent themselves and..... Logical Jan 2012 #8

Why do US consumers get screwed, though? X_Digger Jan 2012 #11

The best way to deal with that fact customerserviceguy Jan 2012 #15

did not know we could legally get drugs from Canada. dixiegrrrrl Jan 2012 #43

Oh, the FDA and Big Pharma discourage it customerserviceguy Feb 2012 #56

Reality is that we subsidize the rest of the world. joeglow3 Jan 2012 #17

Because the corporation have been given a free hand to gouge us. Liberal Veteran Jan 2012 #18

Because private insurance sucks and will pay full drug costs.... Logical Jan 2012 #23

Because money is speech and corporations are people. mahina Jan 2012 #37

Or -- don't buy them if you don't have the fucking money! THAT'S the problem, not peoples' gateley Jan 2012 #21

Then feel free to start a non-profit drug company! Good luck! Logical Jan 2012 #22

I wouldn't expect to hear Kellerfeller Jan 2012 #30

I 100% agree. And I am a huge single payer fan. I hope it happens! Logical Jan 2012 #44

What if you don't have the money to buy the drugs? Don't have the money to buy gateley Jan 2012 #39

We need the Canada health care system!! Logical Jan 2012 #45

Boy, do I agree with that! But I read that Single Payer in California was defeated -- in gateley Jan 2012 #48

Exactly. I have no functioning thyroid gland. Completely dependent on a drug. Critters2 Feb 2012 #52

I have no thyroid at all -- they removed it about 10 years ago, so I understand how crucial the gateley Feb 2012 #53

I'm glad you found a clinic that can treat you. I'm doing okay. I have Hashimoto's Syndrome Critters2 Feb 2012 #57

I had a goiter for YEARS that wasn't investigated -- doctors gateley Feb 2012 #59

If you've been without insurance for 6 months, Ms. Toad Feb 2012 #63

Well thank you so much! I'll check it out! nt gateley Feb 2012 #64

Drugs could be developed by universities... hunter Jan 2012 #25

"Most fail in early studies", then the corps come up with a new disease that can be treated... DCKit Jan 2012 #26

I agree. Like gee, this drug didn't help the liver problem it was made for but those who took it Overseas Jan 2012 #47

Yep. Like the prescription drug to make eye lashes longer that I keep seeing advertised. Critters2 Feb 2012 #50

"public toilets"???? What communist country are you from? DCKit Feb 2012 #51

It costs half as much to develop drugs than it does to market them. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2012 #32

uninsured diabetic, would be my guess. sad. Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2012 #9

I get your point, Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2012 #10

Our doc calls in prescriptions directly to our choice of pharmacies. X_Digger Jan 2012 #13

huh? sylveste Jan 2012 #38

It's especially handy laundry_queen Feb 2012 #58

Ever bought any preparation H? May as well shove a couple of silver dollars use your ass. lonestarnot Jan 2012 #12

Amazon Prime for the win.. X_Digger Jan 2012 #16

LOL! lonestarnot Jan 2012 #19

also great for toiletries are "dollar" type stores eShirl Feb 2012 #62

I think Big Pharm is bribing doctors. begin_within Jan 2012 #27

My local clinic/small hospital marlakay Jan 2012 #29

Now why would I lie to you about something Rex Jan 2012 #28

"RIGHT F*****G NOW!" is a teachable moment. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2012 #31

My MIL ran into something like that - hedgehog Jan 2012 #33

True, HUGE difference in generics price LizW Jan 2012 #36

400 individuals at the top have more than 150 million at the bottom. woo me with science Jan 2012 #34

Why not just order from Canadian pharmacies? RebelOne Jan 2012 #35

We don't have a health care system me b zola Jan 2012 #41

We in the US pay more so that Big Pharm can charge less in their own countries. McCamy Taylor Jan 2012 #42

Corporations are people, my friends. ellisonz Feb 2012 #49

When a corporation needs health care flamingdem Feb 2012 #55

Would the corporation like... ellisonz Feb 2012 #60

Funny you should mention that flamingdem Feb 2012 #61

Uf flamingdem Feb 2012 #54