Walmart $4 generic drugs heading to KS and MO

[memyselfI]

:clap: Excellent news for those of us who pay high RX prices even with RX insurance. Here is the news link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061026/bs_nm/retail_walmart_dc_2

Here is their drug list:

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/files/wmt-druglist.pdf

[Adept Havelock]

So Wal Mart isn't the Debbil? :p

[go bo]

not one of my meds is on that list...

it seems to be a lot of obscure drugs with a few common (and very inexpensive ones at that)...

[memyselfI]

So Wal Mart isn't the Debbil? :p

Not in my book. I shop them regularly. Their Neighborhood Market rocks. Between Walmart NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY* and Sam's Club, I buy 90% of my groceries and toiletries from them.


*For Dartgod's reading comprehension

[memyselfI]

not one of my meds is on that list...

it seems to be a lot of obscure drugs with a few common (and very inexpensive ones at that)...

:hmmm:

Well you must not have had kids with asthma, allergies, or strep throat. There are at least four different medicines on there used to treat all of the above. There are thyroid medications, hormone medications, and a number of different antibiotics.

Sheesh, I've spotted at least five we use...

in a Vet Clinic.

[JonesCrusher]

not one of my meds is on that list...

it seems to be a lot of obscure drugs with a few common (and very inexpensive ones at that)...

Yeah it is just a publicity stunt, they are all drugs that are already cheap :cuss:

[Eleazar]

Not in my book. I shop them regularly. Their Neighborhood Market rocks. Between Walmart and Sam's Club, I buy 90% of my groceries and toiletries from them.

I thought I remembered you indignantly posting that you didn't want to shop there.

[memyselfI]

Yeah it is just a publicity stunt, they are all drugs that are already cheap :cuss:

Hey, two of the drugs on the list I pay $20.00 a month to fill. The $12.00 savings per month will add up over a year. The $144.00 savings will pay for my new cell phone. :clap:

[memyselfI]

I thought I remembered you indignantly posting that you didn't want to shop there.

Not I.

I mean, in a perfect world I would't but the world ain't perfect.

[JBucc]

I don't take any drugs but if I did I'd buy them from WalMart. Or Fred's.

[Eleazar]

Not I.

I mean, in a perfect world I would't but the world ain't perfect.

There was a thread about Toby Keith music playing there, and you thought it was ignorant, and said you tried not to shop there for that among other reasons. Then Russ came in and did an impression of you saying "Wait I'm at Wal-Mart... arrgghh I'm not supposed to be shopping here." I'm not dreaming this up!

[Simply Red]

:clap: Excellent news for those of us who pay high RX prices even with RX insurance. Here is the news link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061026/bs_nm/retail_walmart_dc_2

Here is their drug list:

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/files/wmt-druglist.pdf

Yep. Already here in GA. My Mother-In-Law was talking about them today when I got home from work.

[JonesCrusher]

Hey, two of the drugs on the list I pay $20.00 a month to fill. The $12.00 savings per month will add up over a year. The $144.00 savings will pay for my new cell phone. :clap:

So you must think that Wal-Mart is just going to give you 144 dollars a year, did they do away with profit? Did they find a new supplier?

[memyselfI]

There was a thread about Toby Keith music playing there, and you thought it was ignorant, and said you tried not to shop there for that among other reasons. Then Russ came in and did an impression of you saying "Wait I'm at Wal-Mart... arrgghh I'm not supposed to be shopping here." I'm not dreaming this up!

Well my husband certainly wishes your memory was reality...

my checkbook does as well.

[memyselfI]

So you must think that Wal-Mart is just going to give you 144 dollars a year, did they do away with profit? Did they find a new supplier?

Of course not. Walmart isn't giving me anything. They are SAVING me something. CVS and Walgreens are losing at least two prescriptions starting tomorrow.

[Eleazar]

So you must think that Wal-Mart is just going to give you 144 dollars a year, did they do away with profit? Did they find a new supplier?

Wal-mart can afford to give them away to get people in the store.

[kchero]

I am currently a pharmacy student and work at a local KC CVS and it sounds like a good deal. It appears as long as you have an active insurance that Wal-mart will "pick up the difference" of your co-payment and charge the consumer a $4 dollar rate. This is obviously another way for them to get customers into their stores for other reasons, but if it saves the consumer money then call it successful. For most people their generic copays can range from $5 - $15 (I saw the guy who said he had a $20 generic copay...thats expensive for a generic), but none the less it looks like the average american will be saving at least a few bucks.
If this works out for wal-mart look for Walgreens and CVS to implement a simular tatic immediatley. One thing about these drug stores is that they will do anything to keep a customer (especially since the fact that if a customer leaves they will be going to a competitor).

[memyselfI]

I am currently a pharmacy student and work at a local KC CVS and it sounds like a good deal. It appears as long as you have an active insurance that Wal-mart will "pick up the difference" of your co-payment and charge the consumer a $4 dollar rate. This is obviously another way for them to get customers into their stores for other reasons, but if it saves the consumer money then call it successful. For most people their generic copays can range from $5 - $15 (I saw the guy who said he had a $20 generic copay...thats expensive for a generic), but none the less it looks like the average american will be saving at least a few bucks.

If this works out for wal-mart look for Walgreens and CVS to implement a simular tatic immediatley. One thing about these drug stores is that they will do anything to keep a customer (especially since the fact that if a customer leaves they will be going to a competitor).

Well here is where Walmart will make up the difference. Because instead of spending $3.79 for an 8 oz bottle of Pantene at CVS, I'll spend $4.55 for a 20 oz bottle at Walmart. Walmart is banking on the fact that people picking up those $4.00 scripts are going to be picking up much more along with it.

[kchero]

[/B]

Well here is where Walmart will make up the difference. Because instead of spending $3.79 for an 8 oz bottle of Pantene at CVS, I'll spend $4.55 for a 20 oz bottle at Walmart. Walmart is banking on the fact that people picking up those $4.00 scripts are going to be picking up much more along with it.


Absolutely,
It is already evident by the fact that you can get your oil changed, your eyes and hearing checked out, your banking, and your movie rentals all at the same place while you shop. Strength in numbers...

[Iowanian]

This is all part of a republican health care plan....

Oh yeah.....those bastages pulled this out at the last minute as an election ploy, to fool weak minded poor people into voting for them, and forgetting the war crimes.

[Simply Red]

The sufferers will be the Walgreens and CVS's out there. Take away their pharmacies and their profits will come in just above that of a dollar store. So it may be good for the pocket-book IF it lasts.

[Dartgod]

Not in my book. I shop them regularly. Their Neighborhood Market rocks. Between Walmart and Sam's Club, I buy 90% of my groceries and toiletries from them.
HAHA!
I'm not a big fan of WalMart...

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?p=2830398&highlight=Walmart#post2830398

[memyselfI]

HAHA!

As I said, in a perfect world I wouldn't want to shop there. But to save money, mostly on food, I do. I really like their Neighborhood grocery (which was the Walmart I was referring to in the post you quoted) and Sam's Club. Their actual Walmart stores are so-so. I try not to go there very often.

[Dartgod]

Their actual Walmart stores are so-so. I try not to go there very often.
Between Walmart and Sam's Club, I buy 90% of my groceries and toiletries from them.
:rolleyes:

[memyselfI]

:rolleyes:

If you read the entire paragraph you would see that I was talking about their Neighborhood grocery store. I fixed the post for you. Sheesh.

Not in my book. I shop them regularly. Their Neighborhood Market rocks. Between Walmart NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY* and Sam's Club, I buy 90% of my groceries and toiletries from them.

*For Dartgod's comprehension ability

[Dartgod]

If you read the entire paragraph you would see that I was talking out my ass. I fixed the post once I was caught lying again.
Fixed your post...

[memyselfI]

Fixed your post...

I wasn't lying. I was talking about the grocery store. I said between the Walmart (the grocery store) and Sam's I buy 90% of my food and toiletries at those two places. A Neighborhood market is less than a 1/4 mile from my house. I'm there every couple of days. I might go into an actual Walmart 1-2 times a month.

[OldTownChief]

Fixed your post...

ROFL

[Dartgod]

I wasn't lying. I was talking about the grocery store. I said between the grocery store and Sam's I buy 90% of my food and toiletries at those two places. A Neighborhood market is less than a 1/4 mile from my house. I'm there every couple of days. I might go into an actual Walmart 1-2 times a month.
Bullshit. You were caught making shit up to prove a point. When called on it, you resort to your time-honored tactic of accusing the reader of misinterpreting your post.

Same-old...same-old...same-old...

[memyselfI]

And, for the record, I've never heard Toby Keith at the Neighborhood Market or Sam's Club...

perhaps that is why I go there regularly. :hmmm:

[memyselfI]

Bullshit. You were caught making shit up to prove a point. When called on it, you resort to your time-honored tactic of accusing the reader of misinterpreting your post.

Same-old...same-old...same-old...


You MIGHT have a point if I had not been talking about GROCERIES which means I was talking about the GROCERY STORE.

LOL. Keep trying. I know it's a hobby for you.

[Dartgod]

You MIGHT have a point if I had not been talking about GROCERIES which means I was talking about the GROCERY STORE.

LOL. Keep trying. I know it's a hobby for you.
Well here is where Walmart will make up the difference. Because instead of spending $3.79 for an 8 oz bottle of Pantene at CVS, I'll spend $4.55 for a 20 oz bottle at Walmart.So shampoo is groceries now?

LOL. Keep lying. I know its a habit for you.

[memyselfI]

So shampoo is groceries now?

LOL. Keep lying. I know its a habit for you.


I buy 90% of my groceries and toiletries from them

Did you miss the word TOILETRIES in the original post??? Further, in the post you quoted I was talking about the strategy Walmart is using to make money on their $4.00 prescriptions. The example I used was to make a point. :rolleyes:

It's obvious you are reading ONLY what you want to read. It's kind of sad, really...

[Dartgod]

It's obvious you are reading ONLY what you want to read. It's kind of sad, really...
Like I said...

Bullshit. You were caught making shit up to prove a point. When called on it, you resort to your time-honored tactic of accusing the reader of misinterpreting your post.

Same-old...same-old...same-old...

Take your tired act back to the DC Forum.

[memyselfI]

Like I said...



Take your tired act back to the DC Forum.

Well, it's time honored for fools like yourself. I don't see anyone else on this thread expending the energy or time on trying to make the point that you are. ROFL ROFL ROFL

Perhaps everyone else understood what was being said because they actually comprehended the words written... :hmmm:

[djrcmay]

I dont see Viagra!

[Saulbadguy]

Yet another reason to avoid Wal-Mart. This will just attract even more vagrants and scum.

[Fire Me Boy!]

not one of my meds is on that list...

it seems to be a lot of obscure drugs with a few common (and very inexpensive ones at that)...
14 of the 20 most-prescribed meds are on the list.

[Fire Me Boy!]

And I'm not completely certain, but I think they say "up to 30 day prescription" that's if you're only using one per day... the fine print basically says, if for instance you take metformin (generic Glucophage for Type 2 diabetes) and are on 2000 mg (a very common script) you're on 4 pills per day... meaning the script is $16, not $4.

[memyselfI]

And I'm not completely certain, but I think they say "up to 30 day prescription" that's if you're only using one per day... the fine print basically says, if for instance you take metformin (generic Glucophage for Type 2 diabetes) and are on 2000 mg (a very common script) you're on 4 pills per day... meaning the script is $16, not $4.

I think you are wrong. If the script is written 2000 mg per day for 30 days it doesn't matter if you are taking four 500 mg, two 1000 mg or one 2000 mg doseage. The script would have to be filled for a 30 day supply. The number of pills is not the deciding factor rather the dosage per day per month is.

This means that Walmart will fill a script for 90 pills at 3 pills per day for 30 days but won't fill a 90 day percription at one pill a day for 90 days. The 90 day script would be $12.00, not $4.00.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I think you are wrong. If the script is written 2000 mg per day for 30 days it doesn't matter if you are taking four 500 mg, two 1000 mg or one 2000 mg doseage. The script would have to be filled for a 30 day supply. The number of pills is not the deciding factor rather the dosage per day per month is.

This means that Walmart will fill a script for 90 pills at 3 pills per day for 30 days but won't fill a 90 day percription at one pill a day for 90 days. The 90 day script would be $12.00, not $4.00.
Like I said... not sure, that's just something I've heard around the newsroom.

The thing says "up to a 30-day supply"... I haven't seen Wal-Mart's flyer on it, just their press release that doesn't really give the fine print. Just something to look for.

[Fire Me Boy!]

For those that hate Wal-Mart, "Target Corp. has said it will match Wal-Mart’s pricing program."

And the KC Star's story is a good read...

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15859010.htm

[4th and Long]

I hate to interrupt the Duhnise love fest and all but speaking as someone who purchases drugs for a hospital 5 days a week, I'm here to tell you that the lists of drugs presented, are drugs that are already dirt cheap to produce. Someone just decided to FINALLY pass along the APPROPRIATE cost to, you, the consumer.

[memyselfI]

I hate to interrupt the Duhnise love fest and all but speaking as someone who purchases drugs for a hospital 5 days a week, I'm here to tell you that the lists of drugs presented, are drugs that are already dirt cheap to produce. Someone just decided to FINALLY pass along the APPROPRIATE cost to, you, the consumer.

Exactly.

The markup on drugs, even the generics, is very high. Even at $4.00 per script Walmart is probably still making money on the script with the bulk quantity they purchase.

[4th and Long]

Exactly.

The markup on drugs, even the generics, is very high. Even at $4.00 per script Walmart is probably still making money on the script with the bulk quantity they purchase.
Didn't I just F'ing say that?

[memyselfI]

Didn't I just F'ing say that?

I was agreeing with you. :)

[JBucc]

I bet these drugs aren't even all that expensive to begin with and they're still going to make a good profit. If only we had someone who worked at a hospital. I bet they'd know.

[Donger]

I hate to interrupt the Duhnise love fest and all but speaking as someone who purchases drugs for a hospital 5 days a week, I'm here to tell you that the lists of drugs presented, are drugs that are already dirt cheap to produce. Someone just decided to FINALLY pass along the APPROPRIATE cost to, you, the consumer.

Interesting. You say that they are cheap to produce? Okay, but surely their R&D costs to create the drugs are huge, and occur before production can begin, no?

If so, they've got to make up those R&D costs somewhere, right?

[memyselfI]

I bet these drugs aren't even all that expensive to begin with and they're still going to make a good profit. If only we had someone who worked at a hospital. I bet they'd know.

They aren't expensive at all. I know the price our office pays for some of them. We don't get them at bulk quantities like Walmart thus it would eat into the profit margin quite a bit. Something we might pay .15 a tablet for WM probably pays .2.

[memyselfI]

Interesting. You say that they are cheap to produce? Okay, but surely their R&D costs to create the drugs are huge, and occur before production can begin, no?

If so, they've got to make up those R&D costs somewhere, right?

They make them up by having lower overhead and little to no advertising/merchandising cost. A good deal of your RX costs are going to cover advertising and marketing of the products you are using. It's quite disgusting, really.

And yes, I enjoy getting the freebies from the pharmies as much as the next guy but it makes me angry to think about how much less prescriptions would cost if the advertising budgets were smaller.

[4th and Long]

Interesting. You say that they are cheap to produce? Okay, but surely their R&D costs to create the drugs are huge, and occur before production can begin, no?

If so, they've got to make up those R&D costs somewhere, right?
R&D costs = Some overpaid chemists, and all the "free" crap they hand out when they detail their new drug, i.e., free lunches, clocks, pens, paper, magnets, medication counting tray, mouse pads, samples, etc. I have tons of that crap sitting right here in my office, including a little Nexium clock that looks like a robot, a Lovenox pen that looks like a thigh bone, about 100 Viagra pens (very stiff BTW) and several pads of paper, just to name a few. The cost to pass all that crap out is passed on to you, the consumer.

[Donger]

R&D costs = Some overpaid chemists, and all the "free" crap they hand out when they detail their new drug, i.e., free lunches, clocks, pens, paper, magnets, medication counting tray, mouse pads, samples, etc. I have tons of that crap sitting right here in my office, including a little Nexium clock that looks like a robot, a Lovenox pen that looks like a thigh bone, about 100 Viagra pens (very stiff BTW) and several pads of paper, just to name a few. The cost to pass all that crap out is passed on to you, the consumer.

That sounds like marketing. As I understand it, it's a highly competitive industry. Are you saying they shouldn't advertise and shouldn't give freebies to the 'doctors' that prescribe?

Anyway, you kind of glossed over the R&D part. Overpaid chemists? Why do you think they are overpaid?

[4th and Long]

That sounds like marketing. As I understand it, it's a highly competitive industry. Are you saying they shouldn't advertise and shouldn't give freebies to the 'doctors' that prescribe?

Anyway, you kind of glossed over the R&D part. Overpaid chemists? Why do you think they are overpaid?
Let's say you're the company that invented Prilosec. Now, I own a rival company and I want to make a drug that does the same thing as yours. You own the pattent on the formula for the drug. I have to pay some schmuck chemist 6 figures to (for example) manipulate a simple salt molecule to move from the left side, to the right side of the drug.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Let's say you're the company that invented Prilosec. Now, I own a rival company and I want to make a drug that does the same thing as yours. You own the pattent on the formula for the drug. I have to pay some schmuck chemist 6 figures to (for example) manipulate a simple salt molecule to move from the left side, to the right side of the drug.
Screw that! Just add some Morton's the right side!

[Donger]

Let's say you're the company that invented Prilosec. Now, I own a rival company and I want to make a drug that does the same thing as yours. You own the pattent on the formula for the drug. I have to pay some schmuck chemist 6 figures to (for example) manipulate a simple salt molecule to move from the left side, to the right side of the drug.

Okay, so that drug company should be able to sell their drug for considerably less. I'd imagine they don't, however. That would cause a price war which would lead to no R&D at all, I'd guess. Why would one company spend the money to introduce a new drug if the others could just spend a few bucks to copy it?

That doesn't sound like a good idea.

[4th and Long]

That doesn't sound like a good idea.
Happens all the time.

[memyselfI]

Okay, so that drug company should be able to sell their drug for considerably less. I'd imagine they don't, however. That would cause a price war which would lead to no R&D at all, I'd guess. Why would one company spend the money to introduce a new drug if the others could just spend a few bucks to copy it?

That doesn't sound like a good idea.

Why would ANY company introduce new products if they felt they'd be copied?

Do you think Apple felt that the Ipod was a risk because other companies would introduce knock offs that do the same things?

[Donger]

Happens all the time.

What does? The competing drug company comes out with a similar drug at 1/50th the price? Or, all they all priced about the same?

[Donger]

Why would ANY company introduce new products if they felt they'd be copied?

Exactly. But, copied and at a considerably lower price.

[4th and Long]

What does? The competing drug company comes out with a similar drug at 1/50th the price? Or, all they all priced about the same?
Yes and yes. I'd like to sit here and explain tons and tons of silly things I see on a day to day basis but I have a free drug rep lunch to eat right now and I'm hungry. :D

[Dartgod]

Isn't there a period of time where the developer of new drugs has exclusive rights to the "patent"?

I know when I was on Prilosec, there was a year or more delay before the generic could be released.

[memyselfI]

Exactly. But, copied and at a considerably lower price.

Isn't that also the nature of our system. It's supposed to benefit the marketplace if someone can make a product equally, if not more effective, at a lesser cost than an already existing product????

[Donger]

Isn't that also the nature of our system. It's supposed to benefit the marketplace if someone can make a product equally, if not more effective, at a lesser cost than an already existing product????

Not if the cost of the original product was exorbitant. Think about it.

I spend billions developing a new drug.

My competition copies it for very few $$$ and sells it far below what I can sell it for.

The result? No new drugs. Why would any drug company chose to f*ck themselves?

That's why I asked if this actually happens or not. Or, are the copied drugs comparable in price to the original?