Comparing prices for prescription drugs.

[Digit]

I am on blood pressure pills which were costing me $23.99/month at one location. I checked on prices at other stores, found it for $16.99, so I switched.
Tonight, I called Target and they have the same damn thing for $10.99.

They said that shortly, they would be running a promotion in their Sunday circular that if you switch, they will give you $10.00 off.

Now, that is a savings.
I had checked online places, and they were not as cheap as I thought.
Just thought it might help someone else....

[Warpy]

1. Calling around is always a good idea, and yes,

they HAVE to tell you what the price is.

Unfortunately in this town, nobody beat WallyWorld, not even Costco, so I'm stuck with them for the time being.

I go to Mexico for my inhalers, though.

[Sal Minella]

3. My hometown local pharmacist is cheaper than WalMart!!!!

Before you assume "Oh, I'm so poor I just have to go to WalMart" check to see if your local guy/gal can match or beat the beast -- after all, the local guy probably isn't paying a fleet of lawyers.......

[Warpy]

4. there is only one independent pharmy in this town

and he's a robber baron. I've checked. Wally's cheapest. I'm unemployed with no prospects, so Wally's it is.

[ryan_cats]

7. Any trouble bringing back meds?

Have you had any trouble bringing back meds from Mexico? I'd like to see what Zocor goes for.

[NJCher]

2. here's another one

Those of you driving old cars can save big money by using the Internet. I have an old car that I keep to haul around gardening materials. I keep it expressly for this purpose. It has over 100k miles on it and of course, things are bound to go wrong now and then. When something goes out, I get a price from a garage and then search out the part on the I'net.

An example or two: A chipped taillight would have cost me $55 plus installation at the garage (and that's with a used part). I was able to repair it with a $19 kit of the I'net. It was guaranteed to pass safety inspection and it did. Hubcaps were 25% of the price at the dealership.

Another one: One of our cars is a 2003 VW Passat wagon. These cars are known for their lousy catalytic converters. Ours went out and because we couldn't prove that we'd had the checkup at the dealership, we were on our own. The cost? $7000. So we checked on the I'net and found a guy who knew the car's problems and had the right converters. Savings? Oh about $6300.

These are just two examples. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.


Cher

[DARE to HOPE]

5. Dear friend, there are better ways to lower your blood pressure...

My husband is the eldest of four boys, age 65. He is the only one not on medication for both blood pressure and cholesterol. His blood pressure is usually around 118/68, as is mine.

Just as they are FINALLY admitting about diabetes, you can conquer blood pressure problems with diet and lifestyle changes as well. Trouble is, they usually don't tell you the real lowdown about WHICH diet!

First, go for a walk with your sweetheart, somewhere that has trees or water nearby. :-) It really lowers the stress levels, builds resilience, physical and emotional, and spiritual.

Then, drop in your local health food store and find some coconut oil. (Just plug "coconut health" into Google to find out why.) Cooking with coconut oil (and a swirl of virgin olive oil on your cold salads) will heal your arteries, especially if you purge the disease producing corn and soy oils (in everything from margarines to chips to cake and cookies.)

A diet of organic fruits and vegetables (delicious, enticing to eat once you try it) plus some good clean sources of protein (ie freerange chicken, grassfed beef and butter, can of sardines for the fish oil) plus make the grains you eat things like brown rice (cleans the arteries) and rye and oats--and lots of clean cool water.

There are other things--all the meditation exercises everybody reads about, but even more fun, dancing! (NOT in smoky bar though) and SINGING really bring your blood pressure down. As does massage. As does raw garlic--grind up a head of it in olive oil, then spoon a little every day into your food, soup or stew or whatever. The raw organic garlic is a real powerful hypertensive tool.

And prayer and happiness. :-) As scary as Bush is making the world--they WILL NOT have the LAST LAUGH!

Hey--this will also save you a PILE of money--AND you will not end up in the hospital as a result of all the drugs!

Best.

[ryan_cats]

6. Did you try Costco

Havve you tried Costco? I think their prices are typically %30 cheaper than a regular pharmacy and by law they have to sell to you even without a membership. Plus, the support the Democrats.

[Digit]

8. Costco is a real haul for me, and not an easy drive, too boot.

I have heard rumors that one is to be built nearby, but for now the aggravation and cost of gas would outweigh savings.
That is...unless they let me do it by mail.
Thanks for the tip anyway....maybe it will help others.

[ryan_cats]

9. Mail might be possible

Here's a link to their prices:
http://www.costco.com/Pharmacy/frameset.asp?trg=HCFrame.asp&hcban=Banner.asp&hctar=finddrugs.asp&catid=678&fromscript=1&Article=pricing%20information&log=

It's kind of cool that they show their prices. A friend of mine's mom uses Zocor and it is costing her over $150 a month. If she buys a 2 month supply, it looks like it might save her around $90. Not bad. It makes me sick to see what our seniors are going through. The much vaunted prescription drug plan doesn't even go into effect until 2006, what a scam.

[Bozita]

10. On generics, Costco is dirt cheap ... and you don't need a membership ...

... card to visit and purchase from the pharmacy.

It's like a little piece of Canada inside a warehouse store.

Take a look. You won't be disappointed.

on edit:

On Tuesday afternoon, I picked up a prescription for a relative. It was a typical, locally owned, single store pharmacy. I paid $64.99. Same thing is $16.99 at Costco.

[Digit]

11. Can you do mail order with Costco?

Again, long haul, probably 35 miles each way with lots of lights.