High Medical Drug prices vs Costco

Discussion in 'Survival Medicine' started by tacmotusn, Jul 21, 2015.


Tags:
  1. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    I am doing this post about high drug prices and cosco. It a pro cosco piece and supposedly you don't even have to be a member to take advantage of cosco's low prices. Anyone with high medical drug costs might be interested in this thread. I received this piece is from an email from my local tea party.
    I have not fact checked this. Nor do I have a cosco near me to check if it is true. A little feedback on this from Monkey's who are cosco members or have a cosco nearby would be highly appreciated.
    .
    the Medical Drug list below is even longer if you go to the Snopes site.......
    http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/generic.asp

    Let's hear it for Costco!! (This is just mind-boggling!) Make sure you read all the way past the list of the drugs.

    The woman that signed below is a Budget Analyst out of federal Washington DC
    offices.

    Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet.


    We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA.

    As we have revealed in past issues of Life Extension, a significant percentage of
    drugs sold in the United States contain active ingredients made in other countries.
    In our independent investigation of how much profit drug companies really make, we obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of the most popular drugs sold in America
    .
    The data below speaks for itself.

    Celebrex: 100 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $130.27
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.60
    Percent markup: 21,712%

    Claritin: 10 mg
    Consumer Price (100 tablets): $215.17
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.71
    Percent markup: 30,306%

    Keflex: 250 mg
    Consumer Price (100 tablets): $157.39
    Cost of general active ingredients: $1.88
    Percent markup: 8,372%

    Lipitor: 20 mg
    Consumer Price (100 tablets): $272.37
    Cost of general active ingredients: $5.80
    Percent markup: 4,696%
    Norvasc: 10 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $188.29
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.14
    Percent markup: 134,493%

    Paxil: 20 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $220.27
    Cost of general active ingredients: $7.60
    Percent markup: 2,898%

    Prevacid: 30 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $44.77
    Cost of general active ingredients: $1.01
    Percent markup: 34,136%

    Prilosec: 20 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $360.97
    Cost of general active ingredients $0.52
    Percent markup: 69,417%

    Prozac: 20 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets) : $247.47
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.11
    Percent markup: 224,973%

    Tenormin: 50 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $104.47
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.13
    Percent markup: 80,362%

    Vasotec: 10 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $102.37
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.20
    Percent markup: 51,185%

    Xanax: 1 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets) : $136.79
    Cost of general active ingredients: $0.024
    Percent markup: 569,958%

    Zestril: 20 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets) $89.89
    Cost of general active ingredients $3.20
    Percent markup: 2,809%

    Zithromax: 600 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $1,482.19
    Cost of general active ingredients: $18.78
    Percent markup: 7,892%

    Zocor: 40 mg
    Consumer price (100 tablets): $350.27
    Cost of general active ingredients: $8.63
    Percent markup: 4,059%

    Zoloft: 50 mg
    Consumer price: $206.87
    Cost of general active ingredients: $1.75
    Percent markup: 11,821%

    Since the cost of prescription drugs is so outrageous, I thought
    everyone should know about this. Please read the following
    and pass it on. It pays to shop around. This helps to solve the mystery as to
    why they can afford to put a Walgreen's on every corner.
    On Monday night, Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter for Channel 7 News in
    Detroit did a story on generic drug price gouging by pharmacies.
    He found in his investigation, that some of these generic drugs were marked up as
    much as 3,000% or more. Yes, that's not a typo: three thousand percent!


    So often, we blame the drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the pharmacies themselves. For example, if you had to buy a prescription drug, and bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills.

    The pharmacist might tell you that if you get the generic equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are saving' $20.
    What the pharmacist is not telling you is that those 100 generic pills may have only cost him $10!.

    At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson whether, or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little over their cost for the generic drugs.

    I went to the Costco site, where you can look up any drug, and get its online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent with the online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example from my own experience, I had to use the drug, Compazine, which helps prevent nausea in chemo patients.

    I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60 pills at CVS.
    I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100 pills for $19.89.
    For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could have150 at Costco for $28.08.

    I would like to mention, that although Costco is a 'membership' type store,
    you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there, as it is a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at the door that you wish to use the pharmacy, and they will let you in.
    (This is true)

    This is true in Canada, too. I went there this past Thursday and asked them.

    I am asking each of you to please help me by copying this letter, and passing it into your own e-mail, and send it to everyone you know with an e-mail address.

    Sharon L. Davis
    Budget Analyst
    U. S. Department of Commerce
     
    Motomom34, stg58, kellory and 2 others like this.
  2. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    Insane prices on meds are why I shop online for anything I'm not using insurance on... and some things are actually cheaper online than through my insurance. I can get 90 Claritin 10 mg for $15.59. 90 Keflex 250 mg for $27.86. And my personal fav, 500 mg Zithromax, 90 tablets for $105.73.
     
    pearlselby, Ganado, Motomom34 and 2 others like this.
  3. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    Thanks @tacmotusn I am a Costco member but never thought to pick up prescriptions there. I heard if you buy meds on-line some of meds are allegedly old or not the same formula.
     
  4. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    If ANY Prescription Filling Pharmacy, Online or whatever, that resided in the USA, got caught selling BOGUS Drugs, or out of Date Drugs, the FDA would send a US Marshal, and have ALL the Principals of that Outfit, in Chains, and behind BARs in a HeartBeat.....
    They just have ZERO Tolerance, for that kind of BS, and it is Strictly Enforced... That is how BIG Pharma in this country, can keep the Prices High..... They have all the low cost Producers run out of the country.... or in Jail....
     
    Tully Mars and Brokor like this.
  5. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    Okay @BTPost you can stop yelling.:) The on-line drugs I was referring to are not from the US but from Asia. They have great prices but you never really know.
     
    Brokor and Ganado like this.
  6. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    @Motomom34 there's a lot of scammy places online, but there are also ones that are trustworthy. Just have to keep an ear to the ground to find them is all. :)
     
    Motomom34 and Ganado like this.
  7. techsar

    techsar Monkey+++

    Darned shame Costco has a NO CONCEALED CARRY policy...until that changes, they'll never get any business from us.
     
    Georgia_Boy, Motomom34 and Brokor like this.
  8. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    He's not yelling, he's just old. [LMAO]

    @tacmotusn I added a letter to "Cosco" for you in the title. ;)
     
    Dont, Tully Mars, Ganado and 2 others like this.
  9. DarkLight

    DarkLight Live Long and Prosper - On Hiatus

    Since when? There is no posting at my store (last I was there) nor on their property.

    ***ETA***
    Okay, it's now apparently in the membership agreement. That, however, in the great state of North Carolina, is insufficient according to the law. They must post, conspicuously, at each and every entrance. An unposted corporate policy does not hold the weight of law in this state.

    That having been said, work just sent out a discount membership form for BJs today...might have to look into it. Can't support WalMart/Sam's club...just cant do it. May need to give BJs another shot if a sign shows up at the door of Costco.

    One other thing about the membership agreement. I haven't seen one since I got my membership 10 years ago (and it wasn't in there then). You are not required to re-read or re-agree to anything, so as far as I'm concerned, I haven't agreed to it. My agreement says I can (or at least doesn't specifically prohibit me).
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2015
  10. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Did you tell their local manager?

    I did at Walmart and the signs went down.
     
    Tully Mars, Yard Dart and kellory like this.
  11. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Right, no signage no deal.
     
  12. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    Why do you care, you are carrying "Concealed" do it you have a license, don't show it, I really don't understand the problem, ... if you get caught, then it wasn't concealed, and they ask you to leave.

    Is this really a problem?

    Rancher
     
    gundog10 and Yard Dart like this.
  13. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    Why? Why do people dislike Walmart & Sam's so much? You can't say it is because of the wages because I could name multiple companies that are the same. I know they sell lots of China crap, but so do other stores. So why is Walmart a bad thing? Is this like how the Liberals always go after McDonald's?
     
    Ganado likes this.
  14. Ganado

    Ganado Monkey+++

    Ikr. Home Depot and Lowe's pay less than walmart and they carry made in China stuff... I don't know what the difference is.
     
  15. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    The liberals want to unionize retail and food service.... Mc D's and Wall Mart are the largest employers in each segment.... if they can get that accomplished.... they will conquer the smaller companies and unionize them as well. What that means on the back end is more union dues going into the coffers of the dem's......
     
  16. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Me, well I for one have seen how the local management manipulates the work force.

    Example 1. A person can seldom reach the point where they meet the requirements for full time work.
    Example 2. A person starts work with the understanding that their work schedule will not impact their school schedule. Sure this is a handshake agreement but soon a full time student finds their schedule suddenly has a midnight to 6 AM shift.

    I have more examples of just plain petty BS that has more to do with the usually Power Plays and head games by Management.

    You gotta be on the inside/know someone who works there to know the truth of the internal Wally World.
     
    ditch witch, oldawg and Ganado like this.
  17. DarkLight

    DarkLight Live Long and Prosper - On Hiatus

    The biggest reason I can't support them isn't that I can't support them...that was the wrong thing to say. I can't stand to walk into them. We had one open up here brand new a couple of years ago and it was clean...at first. We went there because they had the very last "big buddy" propane heater around...and we got a good deal on it. While we were there, in this almost brand new store, we saw a number of mice running between the shelves across the aisles both in the non-food and food areas.

    Now, the store stinks, literally.

    Sam's Club used to be okay, better than Costco actually, but now it's just...it's gross to walk into. Every one I've been in over the last 10 years or so. Floors are sticky, people that smell, overpriced junk in many cases, giant cans of food that is closer to the expiration date than the grocery store and costing more per item than non-bulk on sale. I just can't get behind that.

    When Sam Walton was still alive, that would NEVER have flown. The man, like him or not, ran a tight ship. Service? Nah, not any more. Surly employees that wouldn't dump their soda on you if you were on fire. Slow, unmotivated, slovenly, attitude. No thanks.
     
    ditch witch, Ganado and Motomom34 like this.
  18. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    We have two Wally Worlds that we go to. Both are clean, well lit and the staff are good. One is in a small town the other in a large suburb. Not trying to start/say anything about race, but both are in predominately white areas. The other 5k walmarts in the area are not and have the problems mentioned above.
     
    Dont and ditch witch like this.
  19. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    This.
    There is a massive difference between Walmarts located in more affluent neighborhoods, and the Squallmarts that the rest of us get. The one nearest to me has been overhauled and is better, but still. Surly employees, messy aisles, effing disgusting bathrooms, produce that's already limp or wilted sometimes even with mold on it, and don't get me started on the Garden Center Of Death where half dead plants remain at full price until they finally die. Contrast it to the one by my folk's house up in a very wealthy area of north Dallas. It's like a completely different company. Beautiful produce section, friendly staff, CLEAN. It all comes down to demographics.

    AND, what HK said. If you know someone who works there, you get a whole nother picture. I have a brother who has been with Sams Club for going on 10 years now. They treat him like disposable chit.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2015
    Dont, Ganado, HK_User and 1 other person like this.
  20. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    I am one who openly carries my firearm. Have been in walmart. No problems.. Burger King, no problem.. Corner gas station? The old hippy on duty freeks! During the day, no problem..

    However I am blessed with residing in the west and if you walk into a walmart with an obviously empty holster, the employee's will tell you that an empty holster is doing you no good. Fill it!

    No sign on the door prohibiting any weapons, try carrying one in. If they do not want the buisness of all the honest armed Americans and ask you to leave, so be it! Word will get around and soon enough their only customers will be the liberal, anti gun folks. And may I add that we should call them out on trying to sell sub par merchandise.. EVERY one has a boss in these buisness's...
     
    Yard Dart likes this.
  1. ED GEiN
  2. Asia-Off-Grid
  3. Asia-Off-Grid
  4. Motomom34
  5. DKR
  6. Oddcaliber
  7. Tempstar
  8. Bandit99
  9. ED GEiN
  10. WolfBrother
  11. Witch Doctor 01
  12. DarkLight
  13. Ganado
  14. Yard Dart
  15. Gator 45/70
  16. melbo
  17. Ganado
  18. Ganado
survivalmonkey SSL seal        survivalmonkey.com warrant canary
17282WuJHksJ9798f34razfKbPATqTq9E7