General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWoman buys medication from Europe for 1/12th the US cost
Her meds are 12x less for a 3 month supply. The cost in US for one month is over $500 whereas a 3 month supply from Europe is $120.
Insurance wont cover it saying its not medically necessary.
Imagine if she couldnt get it from Europe or Trump adds huge tariffs for medicine from Europe.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/s/FXa1ktUvHx
This is why the UH CEO was gunned down.
On Edit: clarify the cost savings
mahatmakanejeeves
(61,966 posts)dsc
(52,724 posts)the medication is actually 12x as expensive here not 12x cheaper in Europe. But 12x is actually correct (where the issue is, is one vs 3 months)
Mr.WeRP
(676 posts)That is 12.5 times cheaper or 1250%
Where did I mess up?
mahatmakanejeeves
(61,966 posts)Mr.WeRP
(676 posts)Edited the headline
mahatmakanejeeves
(61,966 posts)sarisataka
(21,340 posts)IrishBubbaLiberal
(73 posts)$120 for 3-months supply she gets in Europe source
Yet if bought in US its $500 for only one month supply
And the BASTARDS at her medical/prescription insurance REFUSE to even cover this drug.
Sounds about right for scumbags running US insurance companies
IF the US Congress wasnt full of bought-off corrupt assholes, all the Republicans I mean,
Then US Congress could have made the cost of prescription, the MAXIMUM about-of-pocket
Per Year FOR EVERYONE IN AMERICA capped at some reasonable dollar amounts based on your yearly adjusted Gross Income
Example
You make less than $50,000/year
.adjusted gross income
so your maximum out-of-pocket prescription cost capped at $1,000/year
You make less than $100,000/year
..adjusted gross income
so your maximum out-of-pocket prescription cost capped at $2,000/year
Your make OVER $250,000/year
.adjusted gross income
so your maximum out-of-pocket prescription cost capped at $5,000.
AND an INSURANCE Company does NOT decide what drugs are covered or not covered. PERIOD!
The US Congress, and maybe with FDA input, has a official government prescription coverage
Database of drugs covered 100%.
malaise
(279,437 posts)gave been bought.
Sundance1220
(222 posts)which I use Zovirax for. Here in the US, it costs $45/tube (one of those specialized meds that has no generic). So whenever I'm in Europe (at least once a year), I walk into any pharmacy where I can buy as many tubes as I like for around $12/tube OVER THE COUNTER.
Autumn
(46,819 posts)for the cost of one month supply here in the good old U S of A.
Sundance1220
(222 posts)I would imagine you still need a prescription?
Autumn
(46,819 posts)Sundance1220
(222 posts)They sell it over the counter which saves me the $200 doctor visit to merely find out I, once again, have shingles. Doc knows I do it, asked me to bring in one of the tubes which clearly say Zovirax so he's fine with it and understands why I do it.
Been getting my epilepsy medication from an online pharmacy for years. Had to do this because I must take brand name due to inconsistencies in quality of generic (don't get me started on generics!).
Cost per month for brand name is ~$700 a month. Cost for brand name from Canadian online pharmacy is less than $200 total for a 90 day supply. Drug comes in original manufacturer packaging.
canetoad
(18,385 posts)You paid so much. Zovirax is sold in supermarkets here for six or eight dollars. I assume it's the same stuff - tiny tube?
I've posted this before: I inject myself every eight weeks with a monoclonal antibody called Tremfya (psoriasis).
Cost in Au. - Full price around $1500 per syringe. Medicare price around $40. Price for me (senior) $6.70
US price per syringe - around $3,300.
Someone is ripping you folk off.
Sundance1220
(222 posts)I get a medium sized one for around $12 and there are bigger tubes that are hard to find that go for $20-ish. The big savings is not having to go to my doctor ($200 just to walk in the door) and get a script to pay $45 for a small tube. It's insane.
Ms. Toad
(35,731 posts)I doubt the tariffs will make a difference (since they aren't actively enforcing the laws banning importation now).
And if she isn't importing them by mail, the cost of travel to Europe every 3 months (the max to get them would eat up any savings).
Mr.WeRP
(676 posts)Which I would like to see challenged since SCOTUS already gutted agency enforcement capabilities and people are essentially forced to break the law when they cant afford necessary medications in the US. We technically cant punish people for being poor and some meds are required to be able to live.
Ms. Toad
(35,731 posts)Under the statute it is illegal. Under the agency guidelines it is permitted. An agency can't authorize a practice that exceeds what Congress explicitly delegated to it. Under Chevron, the agency was presumed to be acting within its authority. Now that Chevron has been abolished, I would not be surprised to see US Pharmaceutical companies, whose profits are being harmed by this practice (giving them standing), challenge this agency guildeline.
crimycarny
(1,662 posts)Prescription drugs
You can purchase prescription drugs from Canadian online pharmacies if:
You have a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider
The drugs are approved for use in the U.S.
The medication is for personal use
You provide documentation that the medication is for your own use, such as a copy of your visa or passport, a letter from your doctor, or a copy of your prescription
I get my brand-name epilepsy drug from a certified Online Canadian Pharmacy. I've been doing it for years. It requires that I fax a valid prescription from my doctor and I also get a call from a doctor based with the online pharmacy to verify nothing has changed in regards to any new drugs I am taking.
I have to take brand-name medications due to quality issues with generics. The amount I take must be consistent. With generics, the active ingredient can fluctuate from 80% to 120% (the FDA allows this fluctuation), which can lead to breakthrough seizures or increased side effects.
Brand name in US is over $700 a month, 90 day of brand name from Canadian Pharmacy is less than $200.
Some drugs can not be ordered from Canada which include any controlled substances (Benzo, Ambien, etc)
NOTE: My prescription comes in original manufacturers packaging.
Ms. Toad
(35,731 posts)Under the recent Supreme Court decision reversing the Chevron doctrine, an agency guideline that exceeds the authority granted by Congress is probably not long for this world.
crimycarny
(1,662 posts)I researched this thoroughly before I started ordering my prescriptions through a Canada Online Pharmacy. Basically it's a gray area and so murky as to be unenforceable if bought for personal use and only in 90 day quantities. This is why Canadian Pharmacies limit the amount you can order to 90 days.
As for what Congress does or does not do in the future, that's to be seen. In the meantime I'll continue saving my $600 a month.
Ms. Toad
(35,731 posts)So if you are taking medicines you could buy in the US, but they are just cheaper from Canada, they are FDA approved (otherwise you wouldn't be able to buy them in the US at all) - and it is illegal under the statute. (There are other exceptions for pharmacies and states importing drugs for resale to customers)
Currently, the law is not being enforced based on FDA guidelines (which are NOT approved by Congress) - they are created by a regulatory agency (the FDA). The recent Supreme Court case overturning the Chevron doctrine means, in essence, that anything not expressly approved by Congress is beyond the authority of the FDA to permit. (This has nothing to do with what Congress might do, or not do.) The case is now the law of the land - and any regulation that is not part of the authorizing statute - is likely to be tossed out by the first case that challenges it. And if you don't think the pharmaceutical industry (which is losing money to Canada) won't file suit to enforce the statute, you are living in a dream world.
You are certainly free to do what you want - but you should do it with your eyes open - not under a mistaken belief that it is legal because the law is not currently being enforced.
Autumn
(46,819 posts)them shipped to the U.S. by mail. I have been doing it for six years now.
Ms. Toad
(35,731 posts)Under what circumstances can individuals legally import drugs from other countries, like Canada?
In most circumstances, it is illegal for individuals to import FDA-approved drugs from other countries for personal use. However, based on changes enacted by the MMA, personal importation of prescription drugs that have not been approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. is permitted on a case-by-case basis. Under this statutory authority, FDA has put out guidance that lays out certain circumstances where importation of non-FDA approved drugs for personal use might be allowed. For example, personal importation is generally allowed if the treatment is for a serious condition, there is no effective treatment available in the U.S., and there is no commercialization of the drug for U.S. residents. Typically, only a three-month supply is allowed, and individuals must confirm in writing that the drug is for personal use and provide information about the physician responsible for their treatment.
There appears to be little enforcement by the FDA of the ban against importing FDA-approved drugs for personal use. Even if the personal importation of a drug is technically illegal, current law directs the FDA to exercise discretion in permitting personal importation of drugs when the product is clearly for personal use, and does not appear to present an unreasonable risk to the user, which is reinforced in FDA guidelines.
https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/faqs-on-prescription-drug-importation/#:~:text=In%20most%20circumstances%2C%20it%20is,case%2Dby%2Dcase%20basis.
Essentially it is in a similar category to marijuana use. The government is choosing not to enforce the laws on the books, as long as it appears you are doing so only for personal use.
Relying on that is considerably riskier under a new Trump administration and recent Supreme Court decisions overturning the Chevron doctrine. The guidance regarding enforcement likely exceeds the authority to the agency by Congress (and would likely be banned if, for example, US pharmaceutical companies harmed by the practice should sue on that basis). In addition, since Trump wants to isolate the US from the rest of the world, I would not be surprised if illegal importation of drugs for personal use is targeted for enforcement.
Silent Type
(7,562 posts)likely want to see records that indicate such an expensive med is necessary when there are so many other meds/treatments that are are much less expensive.
Here's UHC's coverage policy.
https://www.uhcprovider.com/content/dam/provider/docs/public/prior-auth/drugs-pharmacy/commercial/a-g/PA-Med-Nec-Corlanor.pdf
Even if we finally manage to enact Medicare-for-all type universal coverage, we'll need to avoid the most expensive treatments if cheaper ones work. Honestly, I think this is one -- of many -- reasons Congress hasn't enacted universal coverage. They'd rather have people mad at insurance companies than them.
nocoincidences
(2,355 posts)This assassin will be a martyr in the future. He is the herald of the revolution to come.