Prescription Costs WTF?

macadam

Hi all I take Hydrocortisone tabs, I was paying about €9.00 for 60, today I got my script dispensed and they were €71.00 fcuking mental increase.
iasked the pharmacist and she said that the tabs were under priced for years but feck me an increase of €62 is a bit extreme.

Anyone else find their drugs gone up by extortionate rates.

angeldelight

It's a weird one alright - HC tablets used to be available from the normal pharmaceutical wholesalers at a low cost price, they could be ordered electronically with all the other meds etc. Then they suddenly went in short supply, we couldn't get them at all for a while. And then suddenly they were only available from a completely different supplier, have to be ordered over the phone, don't usually get next day delivery as would have before and there's a minimum order of 10 boxes. Coupled with this the cost price shot up. I genuinely don't know why or how this was allowed to happen but unfortunately it is now the case with them

mamakitten

OMG thats some increase alright!!!!:eek:

tk123

It pays to shop around! Ventolin Reliver - €9 in the chemist beside my GP, €8 in the chemist at Tescos then the next time I got my repeat they asked if I wanted to try a generic - €4 !!! Seretide 100 - €61 beisde the GP, €70 in Omni :mad:. Today I went to get my sertide 250 up at Tescos - they got me to fill in the form for the drugs payment scheme because could see I got one 3 weeks ago - €35 instead of €85 and they gave me a reliever too without me asking Delighted as I've spent a fortune on inhalers the last few months so nice to make a saving for a change!!

FluffyCat

tk123 wrote: »

It pays to shop around!

Yeah there is more than one supplier for drugs to pharmacies. Alot now get parallel imports which kinda work out cheaper. Same drug from same company and all but had be packaged to another country and for its pricing, which as been said plenty of time on this forum, would be cheaper. All to do with wholesaler profit margin and all.

Ausone

Please don't take this post as a justification or agreement with price increases.
It is not, I don't condone or agree with what has happened.
However I do know how and why it happens.

Sometimes big pharma are left with off patent medications which are difficult to make. Not the technology, but sourcing of the active ingredient or low cost manufacturing. Off patent medicines are generally older and cheaper, their manufacture sometimes get limited to one source of active ingredient or perhaps one specialised manufacturing site.

Couple that situation with one where it is very difficult for the big pharma companies to get price increases, and big pharma tend to sell the license for those product to niche companies, who sometimes only have one product to market. Those smaller companies have a lot less to lose in negotiating with government.

As they may now be the only supplier in Europe they can effectively bully the govt into a price increase, 90c to over €20. No Problem!

The new price modulation agreement with IPHA will lead to more of these sort of problems.

Specifically with Hydrocortone, I believe it was MSD that sold the rights to an English company. The UK company pulled the same stroke in the UK and then Ireland. Nothing anybody could do, they were the only licensed product available.

I hope this adds to your understanding of why and how these peculiarities occur.

macadam

Yeah I gathered that myself MS&D used to supply the HC I use now its Auden Mckenzie, would these be any cheaper in the north as I am only 20mins from Newry

Ausone

I don't think you could get them cheaper in the north or the UK after looking at the tariff price in GB.

However, there is only one way to find out, ask a pharmacy up there.

It is complicated by your dose, usage of other medicines, and your family's usage on a monthly basis, ie the DPS scheme and med1 refunds.

gerryp2000

Ausone wrote: »

I don't think you could get them cheaper in the north or the UK after looking at the tariff price in GB.

However, there is only one way to find out, ask a pharmacy up there.

It is complicated by your dose, usage of other medicines, and your family's usage on a monthly basis, ie the DPS scheme and med1 refunds.

You really do need to shop around these days -

I was, up until recently, paying an astronomical amount for my monthly supply of drugs. Comparing the euro amount below to the sterling equivalent is saving me hundreds of euro per year!!

Neurostil 100mg(x60)
Euro €31
Sterling £5

Simvastatin 40mg(x28)
Euro €30
Sterling £5

Protium 20mg(x28)
Euro €21
Sterling £5

cathy01

gerryp2000 wrote: »

You really do need to shop around these days -

I was, up until recently, paying an astronomical amount for my monthly supply of drugs. Comparing the euro amount below to the sterling equivalent is saving me hundreds of euro per year!!

Neurostil 100mg(x60)
Euro €31
Sterling £5

Simvastatin 40mg(x28)
Euro €30
Sterling £5

Protium 20mg(x28)
Euro €21
Sterling £5

Can you really save that much??

tbh

We have been advised by the Irish board of Medicines that importing prescription drugs is illegal in Ireland, and meds imported will be seized by customs and destroyed. We do not allow discussion of this on the forum - please don't mention it again.

Condo131

tbh wrote: »

We have been advised by the Irish board of Medicines that importing prescription drugs is illegal in Ireland, and meds imported will be seized by customs and destroyed. We do not allow discussion of this on the forum - please don't mention it again.

Sorry to mention it again.....However, for clarification....

It is illegal to import prescription drugs, without a licence, by post, courier etc. Full stop - No argument. An individual will NOT be granted such a licence.

You may bring personal prescription drugs with you when entering the country from abroad. The amount must be within the 'terms' of your prescription, i.e. repeat x 3 (or whatever) AND within reason. I spoke to the IMB about this, about two years ago, and afaicr, a reasonable amount to bring in with me was 3 months supply. This will obviously vary depending on the particular drug in question. If you are bringing back medicine from abroad you must have a copy of your prescription and it is advisable to have a letter from your GP/Consultant too. The medicines must be for yourself or someone that is accompanying you. Keep the medicines in their original containers - putting them all into your own personal container, to save space/bulk is NOT a good idea.

At the time, I was making an enquiry about obtaining a licence and got a point blank refusal. I pointed out that I could fly to the UK, see a UK doctor (you must have a prescription issued by a UK practitioner to get your prescription filled there), get my prescription filled there and fly back....and still have change!! ...and that was for only one months supply.

It wasn't all bad news from the IMB. They asked what specific drugs I was talking about and when I told them they said that they were both covered under the Drugs Repayment Scheme, something that several pharmacies had said otherwise. A few phone calls confirmed this and I ended up relatively happy....and my pharmacists learnt something too...but only after they made their own confirmatory phone calls.

tbh

thanks for the clarification condo.

SeaSide

tbh wrote: »

We have been advised by the Irish board of Medicines that importing prescription drugs is illegal in Ireland, and meds imported will be seized by customs and destroyed. We do not allow discussion of this on the forum - please don't mention it again.

Just as a curiosity what is the position on importing drugs which are non-prescription in that country into Ireland where they are prescription?

As an aside would the discussion of importing condoms into Ireland prior to 1978 be allowed?

I know the position that this is a privately owned site so not to expect any right to free speech but there have been findings that there are competition issues in the pharmacy sector and I don't believe that the Irish Medicines Board is entirely separate from this cartel. So I do think that as this is mainly a patients forum some discussion should be tolerable.

tbh

SeaSide wrote: »

Just as a curiosity what is the position on importing drugs which are non-prescription in that country into Ireland where they are prescription?

As an aside would the discussion of importing condoms into Ireland prior to 1978 be allowed?

I know the position that this is a privately owned site so not to expect any right to free speech but there have been findings that there are competition issues in the pharmacy sector and I don't believe that the Irish Medicines Board is entirely separate from this cartel. So I do think that as this is mainly a patients forum some discussion should be tolerable.

understand where you're coming from seaside.
We have a duty of care to our users and we can only provide that care to the best of our abilities and given the best advice we can get.
Importing meds from online pharmacies without a license is illegal, first and foremost. If we allowed posts on this forum which encouraged people to do that, we are failing them, imo. There are a number of reasons for this.
As a mod on boards, I sometimes have to disallow discussion of topics I personally have no problem with. Unfortunately that's just the way it is.
However if, for example, we allowed topics to be discussed which ultimately caused harm to someone (either physical or, say, legal or financial) then there simply wouldn't be a forum at all.

cathy01

So, does that mean its illegal to even go up to belfast nd get say nurophen or canseteen, stuff you need a perscription for?
Cathy

SeaSide

From reading Condo131's input above it would look like bringing more than 3 months supply back with you could be illegal or bringing anything back for anyone else is too. I will be surrendering myself at the local garda station this evening.

I would agree that ordering medicines from an online "pharmacy" would be deserving of a Darwin Award. Personally I would say that ordering something from for instance Boots in the UK would be ok but I would understand that if this was discussed further we'd eventually end up with something dodgy being mentioned.

This seems to be another example of a failure of the common market to benefit the consumre and I must make a point of getting the views of the European Consumer Centre which I'll share if I get a response

sam34

cathy01 wrote: »

So, does that mean its illegal to even go up to belfast nd get say nurophen or canseteen, stuff you need a perscription for?
Cathy

neurofen are not prescription meds

canesten cream and pessaries are not prescription

colrow

I see my post has been removed, the pharmacy I used is a registered UK pharmacy, nothing dodgy about it as far as I can see.

It might be illegal to import medecines here, but I don't think its unethicalt my gp was fine with it, agreeing that the costs here are excessive

The drug i was getting was over €100 euro at my local pharmacy, €96 at boots in Killarney, €46 at boots uk, and €43 at xxxxx

cathy01

sam34 wrote: »

neurofen are not prescription meds

canesten cream and pessaries are not prescription

Canestaen Tablet!

tbh

colrow wrote: »

I see my post has been removed, the pharmacy I used is a registered UK pharmacy, nothing dodgy about it as far as I can see.

no - you're right. It was just to simplify things, no reflection on your post.

anotherlostie

Perhaps some people have noted a significant reduction in the cost of their medication this month? The cost price of drugs that are still on patent (i.e. no generics) like Zyprexa, Cymbalta, Lipitor have come down significantly Jan 1st. A prescription item that was €50 in December should cost €32 this month.

SeaSide

Did notice the change today down to 20 from 30

and just to show how current we are an article on the subject from the paper of record

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/0125/1224288224054.html

tfrancer

Apologies if this has been answered but is it legal to purchase and import non-prescription medicines (which are available over the counter in Ireland) from online-pharmacies in, for example, the UK?

I know what the dangers are of buying medicines on the internet, but I am still unclear whether it is illegal or not.

brianbrain63

I also got stung by the hike in Hydrocortisone tablets . I now pay €70 for 60 - a unit cost of €1.16 whereas before the unit cost was 9 cents .

As I don't qualify for a medical card I pay all of this myself. Fortunately I was able to pick up several month's supply cheaply when I went to Argentina some month's back.
These are running out fast . Does anyone know of a European country where these can be bought cheaply at the 'old' price ? At these prices it would be worthwhile taking a cheap flight to say Eastern Europe and buying 6 months worth.

Any ideas ? I know this price increase didn't happen in all markets since it was still at the old price in Argentina - but that's a bit far away.

Thanks

macadam

brianbrain63 wrote: »

I also got stung by the hike in Hydrocortisone tablets . I now pay €70 for 60 - a unit cost of €1.16 whereas before the unit cost was 9 cents .

As I don't qualify for a medical card I pay all of this myself. Fortunately I was able to pick up several month's supply cheaply when I went to Argentina some month's back.
These are running out fast . Does anyone know of a European country where these can be bought cheaply at the 'old' price ? At these prices it would be worthwhile taking a cheap flight to say Eastern Europe and buying 6 months worth.

Any ideas ? I know this price increase didn't happen in all markets since it was still at the old price in Argentina - but that's a bit far away.

Thanks

Just back from Lanzarote, and before ye all start yes i did break the law. i purchased 2 years supply of my tablets for €156 which would have cost me €1700 here plus doctors fees, all in all a very cheap and worth while holiday.
brianbrain pm me if you need any info..

SeaSide

macadam wrote: »

Just back from Lanzarote, and before ye all start yes i did break the law. i purchased 2 years supply of my tablets for €156 which would have cost me €1700 here plus doctors fees, all in all a very cheap and worth while holiday.
brianbrain pm me if you need any info..

Fair play

Did you bring this situation to the attention of any canvassers?

I had a look at the IMB board and livestock seem to have a better representation than anyone here. Though funnily all details have disappeared since I last looked...

tbh

macadam wrote: »

Just back from Lanzarote, and before ye all start yes i did break the law. i purchased 2 years supply of my tablets for €156 which would have cost me €1700 here plus doctors fees, all in all a very cheap and worth while holiday.
brianbrain pm me if you need any info..

I don't think that's breaking the law - if you buy the meds yourself and bring them back, afaik that's ok.

FluffyCat

In Ireland we have the manufacture, wholesaler, distributer, pharmacy and then patient.

Thats alot of tax and profit to be paid at each stage.

Alot of European countries supply direct to patient and alot of steps are skipped and meds and products in general are cheaper.

Please dont all jump dont my throat about this!! This is info I got told in college so go blame the lecturer if its wrong!!

tk123

macadam wrote: »

Just back from Lanzarote, and before ye all start yes i did break the law.

Do they speak english in the chemists? If I still need my inhalers when I go over I'm planning on stocking up if they have the Ivax ones..but I don't speak spanish!

macadam

tk123 wrote: »

Do they speak english in the chemists? If I still need my inhalers when I go over I'm planning on stocking up if they have the Ivax ones..but I don't speak spanish!

Most do speak some english, I brought a prescription but you wont need one just bring your inhaler or the box, you may need a prescription for the revenue just to be on the safe side.

gerryp2000

cathy01 wrote: »

Can you really save that much??

Hi Cathy01,

Yes you can, I have an annual private-prescription (i.e. non-medical card) from my GP in Dublin.
Went to Newry, and got my supply of meds at the prices I mentioned above.

Just to confirm - I spoke with the HSE, the DOHC and the Irish Medicines Board and they all stated there is no law stopping people in the Republic, going up North to have their own private prescription filled as long as it’s for their own use and a max supply of three months.

gerryp2000

gerryp2000 wrote: »

You really do need to shop around these days -

I was, up until recently, paying an astronomical amount for my monthly supply of drugs. Comparing the euro amount below to the sterling equivalent is saving me hundreds of euro per year!!

Neurostil 100mg(x60)
Euro €31
Sterling £5

Simvastatin 40mg(x28)
Euro €30
Sterling £5

Protium 20mg(x28)
Euro €21
Sterling £5

I call bull****. Price don't match up with british drug tariff books.

gerryp2000

Deleted User wrote: »

I call bull****. Price don't match up with british drug tariff books.

No need for the attitude chap - are you a pharmacist or connected in any way to the Irish pharmacy industry?? -
I'm totally unbiased,just trying to save some euros.

All it takes to prove what I have stated (to be 100% factual) is for the sceptics to ring a Pharmacy in the Quays shopping centre, Newry, and ask for a quote.
:P

SeaSide

From www.boots.co.uk
neurostil not found
simvastatin tablets 40mg 5.00
protium 20mg 15.97

gerryp2000

gerryp2000 wrote: »

No need for the attitude chap - are you a pharmacist or connected in any way to the Irish pharmacy industry?? -
I'm totally unbiased,just trying to save some euros.

All it takes to prove what I have stated (to be 100% factual) is for the sceptics to ring a Pharmacy in the Quays shopping centre, Newry, and ask for a quote.
:P

I study pharmacy in the UK. I just happened to be in University and had a drug tariff book to hand and the prices don't match up.

garroff

Question: If I post my prescription to Nor'iron, can the chemist post me back my tablets?
Not Class a drugs....just blood pressure tablets.
2nd question: Is there a web site that shows what customers are paying for their tablets....not HSE recommended prices...the actual cash that the punter is paying at the counter.

locum-motion

garroff wrote: »

Question: If I post my prescription to Nor'iron, can the chemist post me back my tablets?
Not Class a drugs....just blood pressure tablets.
2nd question: Is there a web site that shows what customers are paying for their tablets....not HSE recommended prices...the actual cash that the punter is paying at the counter.

1. Mail Order pharmacy is illegal in the RoI. This has been defined in law to include via the Internet. The NI pharmacy wouldn't be breaking any UK laws to post the tabs to you, but you would be breaking Irish law if you use the postal system or any electronic device connected to the telecommunications system to place or transmit an order to them.

2. There IS a HSE site, but it's irrelevant as it only states the price that the HSE would pay if the HSE is paying for it. Given that the government buy 92% of the drugs in the country, they have the buying power (not to mention the ability to, you know, change the rules whenever they want) to give themselves a massive discount, and the price is somewhat lower than the true economical cost of the provision of the service.
For private prescriptions, where the government doesn't pay, each pharmacist determines the price they charge based on several factors, such as:

• The cost price for which they bought the medicine in the first place.
• The overheads that the pharmacy has to meet; wages, rent, electricity, €4,500 to the PSI each year, insurance, software/hardware maintenance, loans & interest, etc, etc, etc.
• The pharmacist's salary.
• A return on the investment that the pharmacy owner has made.
• etc
• etc
• etc
• And last but not least, the process of calculating a selling price will include a consideration of what the pharmacy management thinks the local market will bear. There's no point in charging a tenner if your competitor is charging a fiver. (but similarly; why be the guy charging a fiver if people are willing to pay a tenner?)

All of this means that the answer to your question is No, there is no website that shows what you'll pay, because there is no set or fixed amount that you will pay. It will vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. This is precisely why I'm baffled by this week's kerfuffle in the press. They're reporting that there is variety in price. Wow! What a surprise! This, people, is competition in action.

I'll leave you with this thought; what would it mean if all of the pharmacies were charging the same price?

That would be price fixing. It's called a cartel, and it's illegal. Some Citroen dealers in the midlands got into serious hot water for exactly that a couple of years ago.

locum-motion

ps.
Does all of this mean that people who pay for their prescriptions are subsidising those for whom the government pays?
Yes, it does.
It always has, and it always will.
Unfair?
Yes, it is rather, isn't it?
But don't blame the pharmacist.

locum-motion

pps.

Do you think that all pharmacies are ripping you off and that all pharmacists are multi-millionaires who buy a new Merc every six months?

Well, if you do think that; did you know that you can get your own nose into that trough too? In this country, there are absolutely no restrictions on who can open a pharmacy or where they can open it.

Seriously, fire ahead. Sure they're all super rich aren't they?

Yeah, that explains why a small family-run chain of 3 pharmacies, that has been trading for about 40-50 years, went belly up this week.

garroff

Locum-motion, many thanks for your comprehensive reply. Nice to get info from someone who knows what he is writing about.
Again....many thanks.