Websites for pricing drugs?

PCeeeee

I have recently been prescribed a number of drugs that I will need long term. Do any of ye folks have any tips for pricing drugs? I have been using my local pharmacy but some online searches lead me to believe they are expensive.

Thanks,
P

byhookorbycrook

When you say long term, does your illness qualify on the long term illness scheme?

PCeeeee

I had never heard of said scheme but having looked it up no. I guess I'll just shop around.....

Thanks byhook.

P

palmcut

PCeeeee wrote: »

I had never heard of said scheme but having looked it up no. I guess I'll just shop around.....

Thanks byhook.

P

There is also the Drugs Payments Scheme which means that your maximum monthly payment for drugs is 144 euros. An annual Med1 reclaim gets you a refund of 20% of all drug bills including the 144.(or 12 X 144)

sserdda

you dont say where you are but I will assume dublin.

I am on a lot of medication some of the tablets im still getting used to and are being changed regularly i.e. after two weeks as they might disagree with me.

Accordingly its of no benifit in getting a months supply at a a time. I have researched and researched,
this is what i found.

1. tescos tallaght pharmacy, if you call them they will give you price over phone. Very cheap, never a load of people in front of you. remember me when i go in.
2. Hilltop pharmacy, raheny as above, remember me when i go in.
3, healthwise dundrum, dont like the idea of a membership fee, but they do have a pricelist on there website, google healthwave pricelist,
and the page will pop up.

I find that if my monthly price is below 144 I get generic, if its above 144 i get genuine.

PCeeeee

Thanks sserdda, I'm not Dublin but I think your advice stands.

Same as yourself they haven't settled on what meds yet so it's not worth stocking up to get past the 144. I shall, it seems have to shop around.

P

locum-motion

PCeeeee wrote: »

...so it's not worth stocking up to get past the 144...

Just to let you know; you can't 'stock up' to get past the €144 threshold.

If your medication - for one month's usage - costs more than €144, then the scheme kicks in and pays for that part of the price that's above €144.

However, if a month's supply comes to for example €95, you can't collect 2 months' supply in one go so that you get to avail of the scheme.

milltown

sserdda wrote: »

I find that if my monthly price is below 144 I get generic, if its above 144 i get genuine.

If you're claiming on the DPS you have to accept generics, if available, or pay the difference yourself.

sserdda

milltown wrote: »

If you're claiming on the DPS you have to accept generics, if available, or pay the difference yourself.

I get cymbalta 120, coming off gerozac 60, combodart, xanax 0.5, losartan, walfern, stillnoct, atorvastatin, nuprin and cialis 20, oxy contin/norm, tylex and 60 solpodine on script.

Only the gerozac and stilnoct are generic. I pay the extra 4.95 for the stilnoct.

Nearly always just pay 150. Always ask the chemist first for prices. Sometimes if I need migraleave I bring receipts and ask if they can do better on the prices.

You need a hard neck!

PCeeeee

locum-motion wrote: »

Just to let you know; you can't 'stock up' to get past the €144 threshold.

However, if a month's supply comes to for example €95, you can't collect 2 months' supply in one go so that you get to avail of the scheme.

Thanks for that locum, I didn't know that

sserdda wrote: »

You need a hard neck!

Yes indeed sserdda, I was into one pharmacy today asking prices, felt like a bit of a lug but there is a 33% difference on some of the stuff. The place I was into you can sign up as a member to get a further 10% off. It may be worth it but I need to shop around first.

There is a website idea in this for someone with the expertise I feel, price spy for drugs....

Gael23

If you get a repeat prescription for say 3 months, can you get the 3 month supply together so you only pay the €144 once?

palmcut

Gael23 wrote: »

If you get a repeat prescription for say 3 months, can you get the 3 month supply together so you only pay the €144 once?

Afraid not.

sserdda

Gael23 wrote: »

If you get a repeat prescription for say 3 months, can you get the 3 month supply together so you only pay the €144 once?

No.

However, I queried buying tablets up north with two chemists around the buttercrane, including boots.
If tablets are cheaper up north (allowing for the crap sterling rate), you can get the 3/6 months supply PROVIDING the doctor does not write the word "repeat" on the script, if Dr puts down x6 you can get them all together.

This does not include class "a"s.

When I get oxy's the pharmacist holds on to the script.

Gael23

Im on a high tech drug which is enormously expensive. I have a medical card for now but I won't have that forever and then the €144 will be an issue for me.

locum-motion

Gael23 wrote: »

If you get a repeat prescription for say 3 months, can you get the 3 month supply together so you only pay the €144 once?

Have you read the thread?