27 replies to this topic

[Red Cross Kirk]

I just got my Gleevec prescription refill.  It came in a translucent generic brown bottle like most prescriptions. Before, it had always come in a squarish opaque white bottle with a foil seal and it had the Novartis symbol on the label.

 

It came from CVS Caremark specialty pharmacy, the same pharmacy I've always used. The pills look exactly the same.

 

Maybe they're preparing for the change to generic imatinib? Anybody have an idea why the change in bottle?

[Jerry.s]

Lol I was upset when I received my third bottle of Gleevec also in a generic bottle . The Pharmacist told me that they could fit the label in the bottle so they gave up and put In a genetic bottle . When I got home I instanlty put it in a old gleevec bottle

[Antilogical]

Ditto on the bottle and CVS.  I think it came from a different distribution center the last 2 months.

[mlk210]

This same thing happened to me with Sprycel though. I always got my 30 days in a bottle with a foil top. Mine came from Briova though, our insurance's new specialty pharmacy. I was instantly worried!!! Thanks for the suggestion Jerry, I'm dumping them in an old Sprycel bottle right now!!

[chriskuo]

I would guess that the pharmacy has negotiate a lower price if the drug manufacturer does not have to do as much packaging.

 

When I was on Tasigna, the weekly bubble wrap packaging was quite elaborate.

 

On Sprycel now, I just get the brown bottle.  

[Antilogical]

One thing I don't like about the new packaging:  I'm on 300 mg Gleevec daily, so I get the 100 mg tablets.  The static electricity buildup in the bottle makes the tablets stick to the sides.  It's weird looking in the bottle - bottom is empty, and the tabs are stuck to the sides.  I have to reach in and slide each one out with my finger.

[SandyG353]

Hi.

My daughter received via Fed Ex her 3 months supply of Gleevec.  It came in the regular bottles with the name of Novartis on it.

Generic Gleevec will be available in 2016.  In another group e-mailed Dr. Druker and posted his e-mail and Dr. Druker's response.  Dr, Druker said that it will be available in generic form in 2016.  However, he said that it would not be as effective as the brand.

That means that those who want to stay on Brand will have to pay a higher price than the people who choose to take the generic.

My daughter will stick with the brand.

I feel that Novartis encouraged oncologists to have patients start on Tasigna instead of Gleevec because it will be quite a while before Tasigna goes generic.  Gleevec has been on the market for over 15 years and is first going generic in 2016.  So, by patients going on Tasigna, Novartis continues to get the big bucks for the medication.

Sandy

[rcase13]

Why would it not be as effective? The FDA mandates that it be just as effective. The FDA won't approve it if it isn't the same strength and quality.

[Aussiegirl]

when you call in for the refill just request it be left in the original bottle. Walgreens fills mine & if I don't remind them each time they put it in a generic bottle. I want the original  so I can be sure where its coming from & expiration date.

[Gail's]

It probably has to do more with the cost per pill. It is more costly to the pharmacy to order then dispense the monthly supply in the original packaging. In other words, if they buy the gleevec in bulk form, then count out your monthly supply, it costs the dispensing pharmacy less. The only bottle they could then use is the brown one.

Most businesses, including pharmacies, are all about profits. But unfortunately, the pharmaceutical companies are making huge profits on medications. I wish I'd become a pharmacist instead of a nurse. No doubt I could have retired by now! :-/

[auntquack]

I get a 3 month supply of Gleevec by mail. It has always come in the original Novartis bottles with a foil seal until one delivery came with two of the Novartis bottles and one white, un-marked bottle. I called the company because I was concerned about why the pills were loose, who had handled them, how old were they, etc. I was told that some people are not authorized for 30 pills so they open the bottles and count out the number of pills. I told them I didn't want any of those "leftover" pills and only wanted the original sealed bottles. That's what I gotten ever since I called. I've been on Gleevec since 7/3/08 and it's only happened once.   

[Red Cross Kirk]

Surprise! So this month the Gleevec comes in a totally different packaging! It's not a bottle - it's a 4" by 7" flat plastic box that has a "tablet card" that slides out of the end. I had a heck of a time getting the card to slide out of the box. I had to use pliers!!!  It seems like the old plastic bottle was a lot easier than this rigmarole. I wonder how it will come next month?

[Antilogical]

For the last 3 months, my Rx has come in a brown plastic prescription container with a very weird safety lid.  I can't get the darned thing open!  I have to use one of those jar openers made of the sticky material to get the Gleevec out!  Next month, I'm going to ask them if I can get a non-safety top.  I don't have little kids running around, and I have arthritis in my hands.

[Billie Murawski]

For the last 3 months, my Rx has come in a brown plastic prescription container with a very weird safety lid.  I can't get the darned thing open!  I have to use one of those jar openers made of the sticky material to get the Gleevec out!  Next month, I'm going to ask them if I can get a non-safety top.  I don't have little kids running around, and I have arthritis in my hands.

Hi AL, I'm having the same problem for the last couple months my hands have been hurting me (I almost dropped a whole pot of chili on the floor) I mopped the floor that day so if I had dropped it Ron would have to lick it off the floor, no way could I clean up that mess.

My Sprycel has a new lid and I can't open it either I wonder if we can request old folks lids.

I wonder if owls and moles eat chili.

[rcase13]

Well nothing could more of a pain in the ass than the Tasigna blister pack contraption.

[Antilogical]

Well nothing could more of a pain in the ass than the Tasigna blister pack contraption.

Just a suggestion, but perhaps if you tried opening the blister pack with your hands, instead of - well, you know - you would be more successful....

[rcase13]

I wonder if owls and moles eat chili.

I don't know about chili but I know the owls in my woods eat moles or voles or whatever those animals are that live underground and leave little holes all over the place. I need more owls!

[Trey]

Be grateful it does not come as suppositories.  Just sayin'  It would go in one end and out the other.  Oral sharts.

[Billie Murawski]

I don't know about chili but I know the owls in my woods eat moles or voles or whatever those animals are that live underground and leave little holes all over the place. I need more owls!

I need a lot more owls, those creepy moles destroy my yard and even come in my house to get warm. I'll even cook chili for the owls.

[Billie Murawski]

Be grateful it does not come as suppositories.  Just sayin'  It would go in one end and out the other.  Oral sharts.

in some cases that would be more convenient when I was on Gleevac it went right through me like a magic bullet, I could just hold a bucket instead of running for the porcelin princess.