HEALTH Help me check my math... is this right?

Jubilee on Earth

Jubilee on Earth

Veteran Member
So I made this meme to share on social media, and to hopefully get others to share around as well. My husband takes this medication for his migraines each month. We typically have a copay, but since we reached our out-of-pocket max this year, our cost has been zero since October. But as I was reconciling our medical paperwork and EOB statements, I was completely stunned to see the cost of this medication, which is not a brand name... it’s a generic. I was absolutely floored. AND pissed off. Did I do my math right with the conversion? If so, this medication (which is probably worth very little compared to some of the chemo and experimental drugs out there) is outrageously expensive!! No wonder health insurance is so costly. I’m baffled at how pharmaceutical companies can get away with these kinds of costs. And even more troubling, how our insurance companies happily pay it each month.

Anyway, thanks for your help. To say I’m deeply disturbed by the revelation of its cost compared to gold is an understatement.
 

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Freeholder

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This too shall pass.
Wow.

I don't know if you've already tried it, but a lot of people say that the auto-immune protocol diet has helped with migraines, completely getting rid of them in a lot of cases.

Kathleen
 
Jubilee on Earth

Jubilee on Earth

Veteran Member
Freeholder said:
Wow.

I don't know if you've already tried it, but a lot of people say that the auto-immune protocol diet has helped with migraines, completely getting rid of them in a lot of cases.

Kathleen
Click to expand...

Thanks! His are actually due to a pinched trigeminal nerve as a result of inoperable arthritis in his neck. I wish diet could fix it. We’ve tried every natural remedy there is.
 
bw

bw

Fringe Ranger
Migraine is not one of the conditions listed for that drug in WebMD. A doctor can prescribe a drug for a condition that it wasn't designed for, long as it's certified for SOMETHING, as I understand. But that's strange. I take a beta-blocker for migraines, and haven't had one in a couple decades.

Have you tried something less expensive? Mine is maybe a buck a day.
 
Jubilee on Earth

Jubilee on Earth

Veteran Member
bw said:
Migraine is not one of the conditions listed for that drug in WebMD. A doctor can prescribe a drug for a condition that it wasn't designed for, long as it's certified for SOMETHING, as I understand. But that's strange. I take a beta-blocker for migraines, and haven't had one in a couple decades.

Have you tried something less expensive? Mine is maybe a buck a day.
Click to expand...

We've tried everything. The best neurologists in the Midwest have treated him. He’s got a very complex case. This, along with Gabapentin and Botox injections (along with occasional doses of kratom on the bad days) is what has finally given him a tolerable headache level. His headaches are daily, which is what this medication is used for. You can read more about the successes here: https://www.drugs.com/comments/methylergonovine/for-migraine.html
 
bw

bw

Fringe Ranger
I'm sorry you're dealing with such a problem. Good that you feel you're in good hands.
 
magnetic1

magnetic1

Veteran Member
An Indian company recommended in all! of my copd forums is called alldaychemist.com

Incredibly reasonable and well worth checking out!

Saved me thousands just this year alone!

Please check it out...
 
N

night driver

ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Need to remember that this drug LIKELY cost the drug company NORTH of 2 B-B-B-Billion bux to bring to market....

After all, you want it tested in full 4 Phase trials and you want to KNOW that it is efficacious and safe, right??

Just sayin.
 
Ractivist

Ractivist

Pride comes before the fall.....Pride month ended.
And the insurance company pays one third the price shown....or less, based on their contract. But you, me or Dennis would have to sell our home and pay full boat. It is a racket, for sure. Insurance is a racket as well. If no one had insurance, the prices would drop, and be affordable. it's all one intertwining racket.
 
T

TerryK

TB Fanatic
Cheapest I could find was $20.27 per pill from an India pharma company.
That is for the generic version..

Interesting that it is used is to control post-partum uterine bleeding (frequently used to prevent excessive bleeding during abortions) and it's listed side effects include increased blood pressure and sometimes headaches.
It seems to be expensive in a lot of places in the world.
Don't know why, because it's been around for a relatively long time.
 
bev

bev

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Have you asked the manufacturer why the cost is so high?

I hope you can find a cheaper source before having to deal with the deductible/co-pays again.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
TerryK said:
Cheapest I could find was $20.27 per pill from an India pharma company.
That is for the generic version..

Interesting that it is used is to control post-partum uterine bleeding (frequently used to prevent excessive bleeding during abortions) and it's listed side effects include increased blood pressure and sometimes headaches.
It seems to be expensive in a lot of places in the world.
Don't know why, because it's been around for a relatively long time.
Click to expand...

So! They reinvented ergot!! ROTFLMAO... I'd LOVE to see the development costs on this one, Chuck! Sounds like they either reengineered or "tamed" (but not very well, given thst side effect list!) The original ergot, produced by a fungi that infests the kernels in the wheat family.

Yeah... they're pirates. And we've been paying them ransom and abeyance for FAR too long. Time to start all9cating orices more evenly, and if thosr in the fortunate West feel the urge to help the suffering in the 3rd world, it can be done tgrough charity, not mega-tax breaks!

Summerthyme
 
medic38572

medic38572

TB Fanatic
Your math does suck $12,102.95 divided by 30 is roughly 403.44 so his med's are 403.42 per day or 12102.95 per month or 145,235.40 per year or for added fun there are 1000 micrograms in a milligram which equals 365,000 micro grams a year. Your paying roughly $2.52 per micro gram. hope that makes you feel better! :lol:
 
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