Just informational...

[ProblemAgain]

Generic Rx drugs cheapest at Costco, Consumer Reports finds

By Debra Sherman
Reuters

Some of the most popular prescription drugs that recently became available in generic form are sold at the lowest prices at Costco and at the highest prices at CVS Caremark, according to an analysis by Consumer Reports. 

Failing to comparison shop for drugs - such as generic Lipitor to lower cholesterol or generic Plavix to thin the blood - could result in overpaying by $100 a month or even more, depending on the drug, the report said.

The article will be available in the May issue of Consumer Reports.

Consumers may find good deals at local independent pharmacies, Consumer Reports said.

One of the big takeaway messages from the analysis is that the customer must ask the pharmacist for the best price, the publication said.

"Especially for the independent pharmacies, if they want to retain your business and loyalty, they will help you get the best price," Lisa Gill, an editor at Consumer Reports, said.

One reason for the wild cost fluctuations may be that different types of stores have different business incentives, she said.

"It really comes down to a store's business model. For example, big box stores tend to use their pharmacies as a way to get consumers through the door with the expectation that they'll buy other things," Gill added.

Victor Curtis, senior vice president of pharmacy for Costco, said the retailer does not sell below costs and that its pharmacy is a contributor to Costco's overall profitability.

Consumer Reports conducted its analysis by using "secret shoppers" who called more than 200 pharmacies throughout the United States to get retail prices, without using insurance, on a month's supply of five blockbuster drugs that have recently become available as generics.

The drugs were diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone); antidepressant Lexapro (escitalopram); cholesterol fighter Lipitor (atorvastatin); blood thinner Plavix (clopidogrel); and asthma drug Singulair (montelukast).

There was a difference of $749 between the highest and lowest priced stores. 

For example, one month's supply of generic Lipitor costs $17 at Costco, Consumer Reports' secret shoppers found. The same drug cost $150 at CVS. Rite Aid and Target had similarly high prices.

Consumer reports recommends getting refills for 90 days instead of 30 days, as most pharmacies offer discounts on a 3 months' supply.

[Lifesighs]

We use Costco for our pharmacy and have for two years. I rarely pay more than 7 to 9 dollars for a 90 day prescription, that's lower than health insurance co-pays in most cases. If my doctor changes a prescription he insists on writing it for 30 days until I see if there are side effects. Bums me out because it costs more for 30 days than for 90 days in some cases.

I have read that Costco charges 2% more than their purchase price for drugs.

[ProblemAgain]

i think they only mark up general merchandise by 5 per cent and the prices are the same at all costcos...their competitor has a variable markup and prices differently depending on location...we are talking differences between their locations of a buck and a half on a jar of peanut butter and a couple bucks on a bag of dogfood. when i questioned a sams club manager about the differences between the stores, he went into a long windup about how different stores use different distribution systems etc etc...and seemed a bit perturbed when i responded "bullshit... all the sams and walmarts in this area are fed out of the campbell boulevard distribution center...remember it was a big selling point to get permission to build it?"....i don't shop there much since you can't trust liars

[uno,dos,3]

My Medicare RX supplement is through Silverscript which is a CVS company. I pay $29.10/mo. and nothing additional for 3 generics which include atrovastatin.

[Wayne Goodwin]

My Part D for Medicare is handled by OptumRX through United Health Care . I have 11 Generic prescriptions . The Generic's cost me "O" for a 90 day supply . My Insulin Levemir@ cost $105 for three month supply . Insurance pays $2200 dollars . It is by mail , free shipping ....