I'm on a first name basis with our Pharmacist. I've got 3 kiddos, so most of you know you spend a lot of time picking up prescriptions with kids. That been said, I have to explain a quick situation last night that just irks me to no end.
My son needed a antibiotic after going to the Pediatrician yesterday. Got to make sure he is well before all the family descends for Thanksgiving! I run into Tom Thumb's pharmacy on the way home from work to get his medication.
The pharmacist really helped me out when she said, 'I just want to warn you, this is a non-formulary prescription, so your co-pay will be $50'. Come on! What is so special about a antibiotic that its off of the insurance's "guest list/holier than thou/extremely powerful" formulary? Of course, there's no generic equivalent for this (an $8 co-pay, by the way...).
My wife pages the Pediatrician and explains and 10 minutes later, a generic antibiotic prescription has been called in and I walk out $8 lighter.
What's wrong with this? I can't blame the Pediatrician because he is the medical caretaker of my son and he can't keep up with the prescription formulary. Obviously, he was fine with another type of drug, so the one he prescribed wasn't necessary to my son's health.
The pharmacy probably lost money because of the helpful Pharmacist. Not sure what the margins are on the $50 co-pay vs. the $8 co-pay, but sure seems like they would get more for the more expensive one.
The real issue is the "all powerful formulary" the prescription drug companies use. If it isn't on this list, you are out quite a bit of money.
Now, I understand the whole R&D argument from the drug companies to recoup their costs, etc, but this was for a dang antibiotic that was easily replaced by another drug.
What a beating. How many consumers would just of paid the $50 and went on their way? Just doesn't seem right.
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