14 replies to this topic

[r06ue1]

Was trying to get Imatinib prices, been over a year since they went generic, then stumbled upon this article.  

 

A law professor's big idea for combatting greedy drug company titans like Martin Shkreli

https://qz.com/10837...s-cost-so-much/

 

Looks like Mylan is entering the market with their own generic version:  

 

http://www.drugstore...generic-gleevec

 

Still trying to determine if the drug prices have dropped, according to my insurer, they say they are paying $5,000 per 30 day refill but that is what they tell the patients, who knows for sure.  If that is true, than these generic providers are gouging patients since they had absolutely nothing to do with the research that went into the drug.

 

 

[Buzzm1]

Most of Congress is in the back pocket of Big PhRMA.

 

Generic Imatinib 400 (30 pills) $1914.17 using Express Scripts through Walmart

[ROMO]

Because Americans value life more then money. If you were born in China and got CML your family

would go to the herbalist with a few chickens and get some medicine. After a few years you would die

and your family would bury you on the farm. And have a few more kids to replace you.

In America you die and we have a funeral. An expansive affair with a casket and lots of food.

Maybe even a band to sing about your life.  And some people to talk about how they will miss you, and

how you changed their life. And lawyers to divide up your estate. And kids that need their collage loan to

be repaid  and credit card stuff and the phone bill.

Being an American is expensive.

That's why it cost more for drugs in America than other countries.

 

Romo

 

A non-serious answer to a very serious question.

[Jan0080]

The issue is even more complex.  The Orphan drug Act of 1983 (Ronnie Reagan) gave pharmaceutical companies significant incentives to develop drugs for relatively rare illnesses such as CML.  The thought was that the pharma companies needed incentives to develop drugs such as CML drugs.  In fact the Federal government pays for most of the research.  Then there is the cost of testing (phase 1, 2 & 3)  in other words meeting appropriate government regulations.  So 16 of the top grossing drugs sold in the US are Orphan drugs each grossing over a billion dollars per year.  Perhaps 50% of us users are either on Medicare or Medicaid which means the government is paying the high prices.  We would all be better served if the testing were also paid for by government and pharmaceutical companies were limited in their mark ups.  Tasigna ($2.6 Billion) & Sprycel ($1.9 Billion) are in the top 20 along with Rituxan ($7 Billion) a drug that both my Mother and my daughter have used.

 

The law has the best of intent and needless to say we are grateful for our wonderful CML drugs but pendulums swing.  Big pharma has bought our government and there is little appetite to change the laws. 

[ROMO]

You are exactly right. My own research tells me that Bristol Mayor spent $30

million of their own research for Sprycel and got $99 million from orphan drug

funds. Tax payer funds.

This information was exposed when India was making Sprycel for $130. A

month. They were shut down by trade sanctions. Patent violations.

Apparently the cost of manufacture is minimal.

India is the worlds leader in generics.

They still make Sprycel and sell it for less to their own people then we buy it.

It's cheap to make. The price is political.

romo

An issue as important as as a cure.

[Antilogical]

Here's the 2017 monthly pricing for 300 mg imatinib through my Medicare Advantage plan.  They are currently stocking the generic imatinib from Apotex.

• Apotex list price (for uninsured customers) : $9,657 / mo ($115k yearly)
• Apotex selling price to the medicare plan : $6,371 / mo ($76k yearly)
  The out of pocket costs for each medicare coverage category (initial, gap, catastrophic) are based on selling price.
• I don't know what the negotiated price is for non-medicare plans, but I have last year's summary sheets from my employer's plan before I retired, and the prices for Gleevec were nearly identical.

I was told that the 2018 pricing will be about the same as this year's, so no downward trend, yet.

[ROMO]

By law private health insurance has to be as good as Medicare.

There was a time when private plans were better than Government plans.

Now private plans only have to be as good as government plans.

So that's as good as they will get. That will be the trend.

We are in a new world of medical insurance.

 

Sorry for all my post. But this topic is what gets me the most.

The cost of this is corrupt and will not change.

You can't take the money from those that control it. 

 

 

romo

[shweflen]

I am on Medicare Part D with Express-Scripts insurance and WalMart as the lowest cost pharmacy.  The first 8 months this year the cost of 300 mg / day imatinib manufactured by Apotex was $1593.82 per month of which I paid the percentage prescribed by Part D.  Last month WalMart couildn't get the imatinib from Apotex and had to get it from Sun Pharmaceuticals.  The price was $5044.87.  Same stuff, same dose but more than 3X the price because of a change from one manufacturer to another.

 

Looking at the Medicare Plan Finder for next year it appears that the cost is going to go up slightly instead of down as I had anticipated since there are more generics available.  And that, I suppose, is only if the pharmacy can get it from the manufacturer upon which they based their estimates.

[Buzzm1]

I've mentioned before that Kaiser, where I am enrolled in Kaiser Senior (Medicare) Advantage, has designated generic Imatinib as a Tier 2 drug, which makes it available at a cost of $18/mo..  Unfortunately, Kaiser is only available in a limited number of states: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Ohio. (possibly not available in all counties within those states).  If you are a senior with CML in one off those states, and are prescribed Imatinib, or when Imatinib might suffice, it is well worth checking out.

 

For those who aren't yet seniors, become aware that if and when you go on Medicare you will begin paying thousands of dollars/yr. out of pocket for specialty drugs.  

[Buzzm1]

U.S. Spending for Prescription Drugs (in billions)

2016 $450.0
2015 $425.0  
2014 $373.9
2013 $329.2
2012 $325.8
2011 $329.2 
2010 $307.4 
2009 $300.3
2008 $234.1
2007 $227.5
2006 $216.7 
2005 $200.7
2004 $188.5
2003 
1990 $40.3

[Antilogical]

The cost of imatinib on medicare was a shocker, for sure.  Fortunately (fortunately?), the initial and gap coverage category limits are met in the first 2 months (a total of $4950 this year, and $5k next year).  In the catastrophic category, I pay $318 each month, and my other meds are cheaper, too.  Grand total for the year will be around $8200.

 

I've heard some folks travel to Canada to obtain the drug - getting a cursory exam and filling a script.  I'm exploring that option.

[ROMO]

It's illegal to transport a controlled substance across the border of Canada into

the US. Even if you have a prescription. It's gets complicated. You can do this if

you are a tourist and the drugs are for your use and have them because you are

a tourist. The amounts are limited. If you go to Canada to buy them to use in the

US, you become a drug runner. It depends on where the prescription originates.

And where the user originates.

 

I know because I thought about this.  If you want to do this go to Asia. You can

get anything. But what you think you are buying might not be what you thought

you got. Then again you might be lucky.

PCR test will let you know for sure. Ha Ha!

 

Sprycel has lost it's patent protection in Europe. Google it.

But it ain't gonna be cheaper any time soon.

The Generic folks want that money also.

And subsequent generic manufactures will not be allowed to export to US.

 

I read that some people are teaching folks on the Internet to make their own

drugs. What if it would be possible to make your own TKI?

 

Romo

 

 

[Buzzm1]

I've mentioned before that Kaiser, where I am enrolled in Kaiser Senior (Medicare) Advantage, has designated generic Imatinib as a Tier 2 drug, which makes it available at a cost of $18/mo..  Unfortunately, Kaiser is only available in a limited number of states: California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Ohio. (possibly not available in all counties within those states).  If you are a senior with CML in one off those states, and are prescribed Imatinib, or when Imatinib might suffice, it is well worth checking out.

 

For those who aren't yet seniors, become aware that if and when you go on Medicare you will begin paying thousands of dollars/yr. out of pocket for specialty drugs.  

 

Referencing Kaiser again, their Senior Advantage Plan also makes patented Tier 5 drugs a lot less expensive.

 

Check out these numbers for 2018:

 

33% of the first $3,750 = $1,237.50
35% of the next $4,426.47 = $1,549.26 (coverage gap includes 50% manufacturers discount credit)

 

$12 per monthly Rx while in the Catastrophic Phase

 

Note: Kaiser doesn't have the $400 nondeductible

[r06ue1]

What irks me the most is that these generic manufacturers could be selling Imatinib for $100 a month, there is absolutely no reason other than profiteering that they are charging as much as they are and you could call this collusion on prices a cartel.  Every American should be furious about this as they are the one's footing the bills (via their private insurance and taxes).

[missjoy]

http://dyingforacure.org/