Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
#1
Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
New to the lark or having to pay for your own prescription medication (roll on pharmacare!). My wife take thyroxine and I (just recently) starting medication for mild hypertension.
We both just wandered to Rexalls next door to the Docs and got the prescriptions filled and meekly handed over the cash.
Question is (me being thrifty again), where is the cheapest place or best deal in buying prescription medications? Some have mentioned Shopper Drug Mart. Is there an internet place? Just curious, coz I just paid $130-ish for three months worth of pills and I am tight!
We both just wandered to Rexalls next door to the Docs and got the prescriptions filled and meekly handed over the cash.
Question is (me being thrifty again), where is the cheapest place or best deal in buying prescription medications? Some have mentioned Shopper Drug Mart. Is there an internet place? Just curious, coz I just paid $130-ish for three months worth of pills and I am tight!
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
The drug will cost the same wherever you get it.
The difference will be in the pharmacist's charge.
Phone around and ask how much each pharmacy charges to dispense a prescription.
It's always cheaper to buy a 3 month supply, as the dispensing fee is the same for each dispensing whether it is for 1 week, 1 month or 3 months.
The only time I would get a month or shorter prescription would be if the doctor recommended it for a new drug or a change of prescription, or if it was a short-term prescription (eg antibiotic)
I get my prescriptions from Safeway pharmacy, and pay a $10 dispensing fee. It might not be the cheapest in town, neither is it the most expensive, but it is convenient and easy for me to get to.
I've always thought time taken to drive around to find the cheapest price for something should be considered in with the value for money. My time is worth a lot!
The difference will be in the pharmacist's charge.
Phone around and ask how much each pharmacy charges to dispense a prescription.
It's always cheaper to buy a 3 month supply, as the dispensing fee is the same for each dispensing whether it is for 1 week, 1 month or 3 months.
The only time I would get a month or shorter prescription would be if the doctor recommended it for a new drug or a change of prescription, or if it was a short-term prescription (eg antibiotic)
I get my prescriptions from Safeway pharmacy, and pay a $10 dispensing fee. It might not be the cheapest in town, neither is it the most expensive, but it is convenient and easy for me to get to.
I've always thought time taken to drive around to find the cheapest price for something should be considered in with the value for money. My time is worth a lot!
Last edited by scilly; Mar 23rd 2018 at 8:09 pm.
#3
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
The drug will cost the same wherever you get it.
The difference will be in the pharmacist's charge.
Phone around and ask how much each pharmacy charges to dispense a prescription.
It's always cheaper to buy a 3 month supply, as the dispensing fee is the same for each dispensing whether it is for 1 week, 1 month or 3 months.
The only time I would get a month or shorter prescription would be if the doctor recommended it for a new drug or a change of prescription, or if it was a short-term prescription (eg antibiotic)
I get my prescriptions from Safeway pharmacy, and pay a $10 dispensing fee. It might not be the cheapest in town, neither is it the most expensive, but it is convenient and easy for me to get to.
I've always thought time taken to drive around to find the cheapest price for something should be considered in with the value for money. My time is worth a lot!
The difference will be in the pharmacist's charge.
Phone around and ask how much each pharmacy charges to dispense a prescription.
It's always cheaper to buy a 3 month supply, as the dispensing fee is the same for each dispensing whether it is for 1 week, 1 month or 3 months.
The only time I would get a month or shorter prescription would be if the doctor recommended it for a new drug or a change of prescription, or if it was a short-term prescription (eg antibiotic)
I get my prescriptions from Safeway pharmacy, and pay a $10 dispensing fee. It might not be the cheapest in town, neither is it the most expensive, but it is convenient and easy for me to get to.
I've always thought time taken to drive around to find the cheapest price for something should be considered in with the value for money. My time is worth a lot!
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
Now, someone will come on and say drugs are cheaper at Costco!!!
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.
#5
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
Now, someone will come on and say drugs are cheaper at Costco!!!
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.
I'm only on a low dose of Viacoram. I was hoping the 'Via' prefix might bestow some desirable side effects, but nothing out of the ordinary so far
#6
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
Ill probably get the prescriptions filled at Costco next time anyway. I am already a member and I can time it so I can do it on one of our regular trips so I wouldn't make a special trip (I can gas up at the same time and save $$$$
I'm only on a low dose of Viacoram. I was hoping the 'Via' prefix might bestow some desirable side effects, but nothing out of the ordinary so far
I'm only on a low dose of Viacoram. I was hoping the 'Via' prefix might bestow some desirable side effects, but nothing out of the ordinary so far
It's the same for things like Lipitor vs. generic atorvastatin. There's a huge difference in the price for the same medication.
#7
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
OK, Finally I will bite as people need facts, not guesswork. Simply not true - big variability between drug stores-similar dispensing fees apart from Costco but drug prices vary significantly from pharmacy to pharmacy- Use PharmacyCompass- website a useful price comparison site in BC - it shows the differing amounts
Example- 10mg Amlodipine at Cold Harbour Pharmacy Vancouver $1.08 per pill, Most others charge about 33-35c per pill, about a third of the price .
[QUOTE=scilly;12468728]Now, someone will come on and say drugs are cheaper at Costco!!!
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.[/QUOTE]
Then clearly you are being ripped off
I would agree with Dorothy, Viacorum is not covered as combination of two cheaper generic meds - OK if you have extended benefits. Perindopril is no longer easy to get covered in BC which is a pig given that it is a very effective med.
Example- 10mg Amlodipine at Cold Harbour Pharmacy Vancouver $1.08 per pill, Most others charge about 33-35c per pill, about a third of the price .
[QUOTE=scilly;12468728]Now, someone will come on and say drugs are cheaper at Costco!!!
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.[/QUOTE]
Then clearly you are being ripped off
I would agree with Dorothy, Viacorum is not covered as combination of two cheaper generic meds - OK if you have extended benefits. Perindopril is no longer easy to get covered in BC which is a pig given that it is a very effective med.
Last edited by Stinkypup; Mar 23rd 2018 at 11:40 pm.
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
Long time no see stinkypup.
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
[QUOTE=Stinkypup;12468792]OK, Finally I will bite as people need facts, not guesswork. Simply not true - big variability between drug stores-similar dispensing fees apart from Costco but drug prices vary significantly from pharmacy to pharmacy- Use PharmacyCompass- website a useful price comparison site in BC - it shows the differing amounts
Example- 10mg Amlodipine at Cold Harbour Pharmacy Vancouver $1.08 per pill, Most others charge about 33-35c per pill, about a third of the price .
I just knew someone would correct me
Possibly am paying a lot ............... but I also am not about to get OH to drive all over Vancouver to find the cheapest deal.
Plus I know the pharmacists and their technicians, and as you know, they are the ones who keep an eye on possible drug interactions ......... I prefer to keep going to the same pharmacy
It's also why we pay huge amounts to both the government and private insurance ............ so we can afford to spend our time doing what we want instead of driving all over.
Example- 10mg Amlodipine at Cold Harbour Pharmacy Vancouver $1.08 per pill, Most others charge about 33-35c per pill, about a third of the price .
Now, someone will come on and say drugs are cheaper at Costco!!!
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.[/QUOTE]
Then clearly you are being ripped off
I would agree with Dorothy, Viacorum is not covered as combination of two cheaper generic meds - OK if you have extended benefits. Perindopril is no longer easy to get covered in BC which is a pig given that it is a very effective med.
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.[/QUOTE]
Then clearly you are being ripped off
I would agree with Dorothy, Viacorum is not covered as combination of two cheaper generic meds - OK if you have extended benefits. Perindopril is no longer easy to get covered in BC which is a pig given that it is a very effective med.
I just knew someone would correct me
Possibly am paying a lot ............... but I also am not about to get OH to drive all over Vancouver to find the cheapest deal.
Plus I know the pharmacists and their technicians, and as you know, they are the ones who keep an eye on possible drug interactions ......... I prefer to keep going to the same pharmacy
It's also why we pay huge amounts to both the government and private insurance ............ so we can afford to spend our time doing what we want instead of driving all over.
#11
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
[QUOTE=scilly;12468803]
Yeah- I think I would travel to a vast range of pharmacies in all areas of Vancouver and say pay $28 plus $11 dispensing fee versus your $140 odd plus dispensing fee- a bit of a no brainer, you clearly have money to burn.
The reason that I have made a rare and brief reappearance, is whilst I think your intentions are good, you should really resist responding to a question without actually knowing the facts - people need to know the facts, not assumptions or guesswork... I have to say that this certainly isnt the first time.........The Caped Canine slinks off once again back into the shadows
OK, Finally I will bite as people need facts, not guesswork. Simply not true - big variability between drug stores-similar dispensing fees apart from Costco but drug prices vary significantly from pharmacy to pharmacy- Use PharmacyCompass- website a useful price comparison site in BC - it shows the differing amounts
Example- 10mg Amlodipine at Cold Harbour Pharmacy Vancouver $1.08 per pill, Most others charge about 33-35c per pill, about a third of the price .
I just knew someone would correct me
Possibly am paying a lot ............... but I also am not about to get OH to drive all over Vancouver to find the cheapest deal.
Plus I know the pharmacists and their technicians, and as you know, they are the ones who keep an eye on possible drug interactions ......... I prefer to keep going to the same pharmacy
It's also why we pay huge amounts to both the government and private insurance ............ so we can afford to spend our time doing what we want instead of driving all over.
Example- 10mg Amlodipine at Cold Harbour Pharmacy Vancouver $1.08 per pill, Most others charge about 33-35c per pill, about a third of the price .
I just knew someone would correct me
Possibly am paying a lot ............... but I also am not about to get OH to drive all over Vancouver to find the cheapest deal.
Plus I know the pharmacists and their technicians, and as you know, they are the ones who keep an eye on possible drug interactions ......... I prefer to keep going to the same pharmacy
It's also why we pay huge amounts to both the government and private insurance ............ so we can afford to spend our time doing what we want instead of driving all over.
The reason that I have made a rare and brief reappearance, is whilst I think your intentions are good, you should really resist responding to a question without actually knowing the facts - people need to know the facts, not assumptions or guesswork... I have to say that this certainly isnt the first time.........The Caped Canine slinks off once again back into the shadows
#12
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
On it was a chart of dispensing fee prices across a range of pharmacies.
Rexell was one of the worst.
I go to Costco for groceries so it makes sense to get any medication dispensed from there.
Welcome back btw!!!
#13
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
Now, someone will come on and say drugs are cheaper at Costco!!!
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.
I don't have the patience to drive 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back (minimum) across town to find out!
FWIW ..... I'm on 3 hypertension drugs ........
a diuretic, 3 months supply costs $2.53 for the drug, $10 fee
Ramipril, 3 months $36.68 drug, $10 fee
Amlodipine, 3 months $143.55 drug, $10 fee.
#15
Re: Cost of drugs / filling prescriptions
Nice to see you Caped Canine. Don't be a stranger here.
I'll be in your neck of the woods in early to mid June and we would love catch up with you and Snoop for a drink while we're there.
I'll be in your neck of the woods in early to mid June and we would love catch up with you and Snoop for a drink while we're there.