Wal*Mart prescription drugs $10 for 90 days

[Greenie]

I used to stock up on certain prescriptions in Mexico - one in particular cost about 30 cents a pill (Meloxicam) - and I thought I was getting a heck of a deal. Walmart sells Meloxicam for 11 cents a pill, 19 cents a pill less than Mexico.

Most of the folks who complain about high prescription drug prices are silent about Wal*Mart's inexpensive drugs. I would think that whatever Wal*Mart does to bring down drug prices could be expanded and would benefit Americans greatly. For all the hand wringing about Health Care "Reform", there doesn't appear to be the same concerns about prescription drug costs. I'm assuming that many people that love HC"R" hate Wal*Mart - is it that simple?

[Truckman]

WalMart prescriptions are one of the things keeping me alive right now...The same values are available at Walgreens, CVS, Kroger and other places but I first heard of them at WalMart......Ben

[Compu Doc]

The only prescription I had filled was about 3 years ago. It was for Oxycodone of which I was given 30 pills and I only took 5 over the course of 2 days. The rest were flushed. The prescription cost me a $10.00 copay when I had insurance. For someone whop does not have insurance Walmart, Rite Aid and the other pharmacies mentioned all sell generics cheap. Less than $10.00 so if I need a prescription I will probably use Rite Aid because their is not a Walmart nearby.

[blaze]

Interesting Greenie... My doctor started me on Meloxicam several months ago for my osteoarthritis of the spine. I can't remember what I'm paying for it right now but thanks for the heads up on Walmart. I've been buying it the grocery store pharmacy next to my doctors office.

[Greenie]

Meloxiocam is a wonder drug for me - arthritis, bad knees, aches and pain associated with age just go away. I've got great health insurance, however the copay for most drugs is much more than $10, so it's better for me to shop around rather than to try to have Anthem cover prescriptions. Wal*Mart, Walgreens, etal... don't have all drugs for $3/30 days $10/90 days. These days I'm saving every way I can.

[blaze]

My doctor did mention its actually safer on your organs etc than Advil and Aleve (which I was taking both). The Meloxicam works pretty good for me too. My arthitis seems to "flare up". I have good days and bad days or several bad days in a row followed by a few good days etc. I'm not sure if I can miss a pill and only take this stuff on my bad days like a headache which I have been doing? or should you take it every day regardless. A friend of mine says you should take it every day to let it build up in your system... I think I need to call my doctor and ask.

[Greenie]

My Physician's Assistant says that regular use of Meloxiocam can affect the liver. So does this link http://pain.emedtv.com/meloxicam/pre...oxicam-p2.html I've noticed that it does take a few days to build up before it starts to work. The trick is to use it sporadically when the joints are achy, then stop until it flares up again. Now that it's very inexpensive I probably would have just taken it every day, but it wouldn't be wise to take the chance.

[blaze]

I've noticed that it does take a few days to build up before it starts to work. The trick is to use it sporadically when the joints are achy, then stop until it flares up again.

Yes, I have noticed the second day that I'm on is where the real improvement comes on. First day its almost like I have not taken anything at all.

[haikon]

i've always been curious how they can sell these drugs at such cheap rates and still maintain a pharmacy. I wouldnt think that just because its a generic doesnt meant its inexpensive to make. if it IS that easy, then just how much are pharmacons making on name brand stuff?

[Billy_Rightwing]

Sure wouldn't want to be without Meloxiocam, the Vets charge $27 co pay for 90 days, so maybe should go shopping.

[Greenie]

I wish those who extolled the wisdom of government vs. the greed and inefficiency of free enterprise would come and participate in this discussion. How can a retailer like Wal*Mart, Walgreens, RiteAid, etc... offer prescription drugs cheaper than Mexico?

[wacojoe]

i've always been curious how they can sell these drugs at such cheap rates and still maintain a pharmacy. I wouldnt think that just because its a generic doesnt meant its inexpensive to make. if it IS that easy, then just how much are pharmacons making on name brand stuff?

What are you calling a "Pharmacon?" Is that the retailer or the manufacturer?
If the question is, "How much are the original inventors/manufacturers making if actual production costs are minimal?," then maybe not as much as it looks like when figuring that the average cost to big pharma to bring a drug to market, including testing of thousands of other non-viable formulations and studies to satisfy FDA, is reportedly ~$1B. If anyone thinks they are making a killing while protected by patent at the end of the cost pay-back period, then they are always invited to share in the largess by purchasing stock.

BTW, does anyone know when Lipitor's patent is up, so I can get the cheapie and keep those scumbags who invented it from gouging me, while still gorging on burgers & such? God, I love this country.

[mgrist]

When I say this is a profitable industry, I mean really profitable. It is difficult to conceive of how awash in money big pharma is.

Drug industry expenditures for research and development, while large, were consistently far less than profits. For the top ten companies, they amounted to only 11 percent of sales in 1990, rising slightly to 14 percent in 2000. The biggest single item in the budget is neither R&D nor even profits but something usually called “marketing and administration”

Really good (long) article here;http://www.nybooks.com/articles/arch...panies/?page=1

[haikon]

What are you calling a "Pharmacon?" Is that the retailer or the manufacturer?
If the question is, "How much are the original inventors/manufacturers making if actual production costs are minimal?," then maybe not as much as it looks like when figuring that the average cost to big pharma to bring a drug to market, including testing of thousands of other non-viable formulations and studies to satisfy FDA, is reportedly ~$1B. If anyone thinks they are making a killing while protected by patent at the end of the cost pay-back period, then they are always invited to share in the largess by purchasing stock.

BTW, does anyone know when Lipitor's patent is up, so I can get the cheapie and keep those scumbags who invented it from gouging me, while still gorging on burgers & such? God, I love this country.

mfr, actually. The retailer, from what i understand, is selling at a set price, and the pharma industry dictates that price. If generics are so cheap through wally, cvs, walgreens, etc, then where is the money made up for having such discounted prices?

[FredK]

........BTW, does anyone know when Lipitor's patent is up, so I can get the cheapie and keep those scumbags who invented it from gouging me, while still gorging on burgers & such? God, I love this country.

Atorvastatin calcium tablets are marketed by Pfizer under the trade name Lipitor, in tablets (10, 20, 40 or 80 mg) for oral administration...........

atorvastatin calcium is made in tablet form by generic drug makers under various brand names including Atoris, Atorlip, Lipvas, Sortis, Torvast, Torvacard, Totalip, and Tulip.

Only your Dr knows for sure.