Cost of Meds

tillytop

No need for replies, - I just wanted to share the, frankly surreal, conversation I have just had with the GP.

At my eye hospital appt last week, the consultant prescribed some different eye drops and eye cream for me and, having nearly run out, I dropped a note into the GP surgery on Friday to ask for some more and whether they could be put onto my repeat prescription.

Finally, after 3 phone calls to the surgery, 2 visits and a phone call to the pharmacy I got a call from the GP yesterday evening to tell me that he had a slight problem with prescribing the new eye cream because it costs - wait for it - £106 for a tiny tube which will last me 3 or 4 days!!! :shock: He was very nice about it but said that he had put a request into the prescription system for 10 tubes for me and nearly fell off his chair when the total showed as over £1,000 for a month's supply. I think that is more than the cost of my Rituximab!!!!! :shock: I agreed with him that that was outrageous and he is happy to prescribe the new eye drops for me which are working well for during the day but that I will continue to use the "cheap and cheerful" Lacrilube during the night.

I am quite happy with this compromise, but like the GP, I just couldn't believe it and can't see how the pharmaceutical company can possibly justify that cost (or, for that matter, how they will ever sell any)!

Hey ho.

Tillyxxx

frogmorton

WOW Tilly :shock:

l am gobsmacked :shock:

That must be pretty amazing stuff there.... is it a permanent fix then???? is it considerably better than the old stuff??

Love

Toni xxx

elnafinn

Aw, Tilly, that makes awful reading - so WHO will benefit from this great new eye cream if gps are not allowed to prescribe it to patients who need it? I am sure your gp was embarrassed to have to inform you about this.

Elna x

cthornley

The BNF (British National Formulary) makes fascinating reading on this subject (Hubby is a doc so I occasionally flick through his) - I'm always amazed what costs what.
If it’s a new drug which is still under patent (i.e. only the company who developed it can make it) then it is usually more expensive to cover the astronomical costs of research development and testing. Once the patent lapses other people can make it (i.e generic) and it becomes cheaper as it is opened up to competition. Sometimes it doesn’t get cheaper as the market for that drug is low demand and therefore it takes longer to recoup costs and it makes less sense to other companies to make it as there isn’t the demand.
Hope that makes sense
Chrissie

tillytop

Thanks Toni, Elna and Chrissie for your replies.

Oh Toni I wish it was a permanent fix! And for that cost you'd think so wouldn't you? But sadly no, just a more effective lubricant to help manage my very dry eyes while I am waiting for surgery to block the tearducts permanently. It was better than the other stuff but at least I can still have the new eye drops to use in the daytime (which are also quite expensive I think).

Interesting reading Chrissie - thanks.

Elna - as you say, don't know who will benefit from it if it's that expensive. Unless it's just intended as a short term measure, after surgery perhaps.

Tillyxxx

elnafinn

Dear Tilly

I bet you cannot wait for your surgery. I know it is scary at the same time but it does get to the point where you really feel ready to go for an op if there is one available, doesn't it? That will be one symptom to cross off the list ....... and good riddance to it, too.

Love
Elna x

theresa4

My GP surgery have a new computer system which shows the cost of meds when they are prescribing them before prescription is printed. My GP is great as he prescribes regardless of costs as I have loads of allergies and its not worth setting them off but I coouldnt believe just how much they cost in general.

Theresa

salamander

Hi Tilly, I wondered if you mind telling me what you were prescribed as I had a similar experience. Managed to get some superior drops, which work very well, but they said they couldn't prescribe the other stuff I needed.
Thanks
Sal

valval

mum got some stuff from optician and i wanted to know if it much better than GP stuff so took box to show her and she said it cost over £4.00 at cost them chemist etc add on to that and ingredients not any different to some that cost 81p makes you wonder

tillytop

Thanks Theresa, Elna, Sal and Val for your replies.

Elna, thanks, yes it will be really good if I can get the eyes sorted.

Theresa - sounds as if your GP has his priorities right!

Sal - The eye cream which was so expensive and which the doc didn't prescribe is called "Duolube". The eye drops are called "Hylo Forte" and I find they really do help. I don't think they are prescription only but think they are quite expensive to buy.

Val - you are right - it does make you wonder doesn't it?

Tilly xxx

dreamdaisy

I think we easily forget the true cost of these things - it's 7.40 per item and that's that. Nuh-uh. I remember I had to buy some asthma meds and they cost about £38. :shock: £106 for a little tube does seem to be a helluva lot (probably 'cos it is) but dahhhhhling, surely you're worth it. DD

salamander

Thanks Tilly, I am using Carmize which are very good too.

julie47

Tilly I nearly fell out of my chair too :shock: That is a lot of money, but, if it was going to do the trick cost shouldn't be an issue, :?

I hope your eye surgery happens soon. then you can stop suffering

love & hugs ((((((())))) juliepf x

hileena111

Hi Tilly
What a price :shock: How can they justify that???
Glad you've come to a compromise and I hope it helps them until you get surgery

Love
Hileena