Our medical system sucks

[juno jones]

I know, we all know that, but here's another example.


I just paid $178 that I don't really have for a medicine (on the market for well over twenty years now) that I do need. According to my pharmacist there was no generic equivalent...or at least they didn't carry it.

I go home and check the internet and not only are my meds availible from a Canadian pharmacy for half the price, the generics are even cheaper and (here's the kicker folks...)my medicine is precription-free, availible over the counter there.

So not only am I spending twice as much for meds, I am also spending out of pocket for the exam to get the damn stuff in the first place.


This place sucks.

[dflprincess]

1. It isn't the medical system that sucks

it's the payment system.

[YOY]

3. Dunno about that...

The fact that pharmaceutical reps directly influence my Doctor's decisions.

The fact that my doctor seems keen on pointing out premium medications for simple things for me.

The fact that treating the symptoms outranks treating the disease 9 times out of 10.

The fact that the FDA has basically become a magical approval factory for big pharma...

They all point to more than just the payment system.

[juno jones]

7. What YOY said.

That a twenty five year old medication that is OTC in other countries is only availible at premium prices in the US reflects the clout that big pharma has here over docs and their choices for patients.

IMO, it all needs fixing.

Ps: Without need for a script, I wouldn't have to see a doc for the problem, so I am lining the docs pockets as well when I need my meds. Sounds more systematic than mere payment.

[OhioChick]

2. Think that's bad...

I just paid $572 for ONE x-ray of my son's foot.

[juno jones]

6. Ouch.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Tramatic emergencies scare the crap outta me because you really can't just budget for them.

[timeforpeace]

4. What medicine is it?

[juno jones]

5. zovirax (acyclovir)

I was blown away to see it OTC in Canada.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. Order it from an online, foreign pharmacy.

Don't prop up our corrupt system with your money any more than you absolutely have to.
Edit: I've ordered from these guys, and they're reliable. http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/general/acyclovir.html

[juno jones]

9. I am going to next time.

I need it...like yesterday (I was fortunate to get an emergency appointment at the clinic to begin with)... and don't have time to wait for shipping. But next time, I'm buying the extra huge generic OTC tube from Canada. Fuck them.

Thanks for the link. :hi:

[Psychic Consortium]

10. We live in a corrupt and greedy time. Where corporate interests

are more important than the health and welfare of the people.

Obama is going to change this situation.
It will take time, but he will do it.

[damntexdem]

11. But here, when it becomes OTC, it isn't covered by drug coverage anymore.

And the OTC price is generally much higher than the old Rx copay.

[juno jones]

13. But I don't have to see a doc if it's OTC. That doc appt will cost me almost $100

And I don't have insurance so co-pay means squat to me. I shelled out a total of $278 for a med I could have gotten more of for $89 out of pocket in a sane country.

I am collectiing unemployment and the trappings right now. that's $200 I didn't have. $89 would be ouchie but that huge mondo tube will last for years.

[lefty369]

12. soon

Don't worry, Obama will soon give us the national health care program we have all been waiting for.

[juno jones]

14. We can only hope. n/t