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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by allisonm on June 10, 2003, at 17:05:21
My health insurance prescription benefits recently ran out, leaving me to pay the full price of my antidepressants. I found several phamacy web sites from Canada that offer the drugs I take for less than what I can get them for here in the US. So, I talked with my pdoc about it, he wrote me scripts, I sent them in, and got the drugs. It's all legal.
So, when I got these in the mail, there was a note from the pharmacy saying that they'd saved me additional money because one of the drugs is available in generic form, so they sent me that instead. My pdoc was unaware that a generic was available, but when I showed him the bottle, was OK with me taking it.
He has a friend who is a rep for the drug company that makes the brand name, and was curious enough about this that he asked him about this generic version available in Canada. Turns out that the patent ran out in Canada first, and yes indeed, it is available in generic. When my pdoc told his friend that one of his patients was getting the generic from Canada, he said "Oh no! Don't let her do that. Let me know when she needs more and I'll give you extra samples." So in effect, I now can get this expensive brand-name drug FREE because the drug rep doesn't want me buying the generic in another country.
But why? I can't figure it out. He surely has to know that if I have to buy it, I will find the source with the lowest cost, which probably means generic. What does he or his company benefit by giving their brand to me for FREE?? Any ideas?
Thanks.
Posted by stjames on June 10, 2003, at 17:29:18
In reply to curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by allisonm on June 10, 2003, at 17:05:21
Many drug manufactures have compassionate
use programs that do just what this rep is doing for you. Sounds like you lucked out and are using one. I would be happy to get my meds for free !
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 10, 2003, at 17:39:36
In reply to curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by allisonm on June 10, 2003, at 17:05:21
> When my pdoc told his friend that one of his patients was getting the generic from Canada, he said "Oh no! Don't let her do that. Let me know when she needs more and I'll give you extra samples." So in effect, I now can get this expensive brand-name drug FREE because the drug rep doesn't want me buying the generic in another country.
>
> But why? I can't figure it out. He surely has to know that if I have to buy it, I will find the source with the lowest cost, which probably means generic. What does he or his company benefit by giving their brand to me for FREE?? Any ideas?
>
> Thanks.My opinion is that the drug rep is looking to sway your doctor, rather than help you. If he can keep your doctor in line, there won't be anybody getting those cheaper drugs from Canada.
That said, I've gotten substantial amounts of drugs that I could not otherwise afford, simply by getting my doctor to ask for samples when the drug rep is around.
Still, I go with the cynical explanation.
Lar
Posted by paxvox on June 10, 2003, at 18:09:37
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts? » allisonm, posted by Larry Hoover on June 10, 2003, at 17:39:36
I agree with some of both of the previous posts. I have been the recipient of hundreds of dollars worth of "free" samples from docs over the years. Many docs will provide you with what they can, and may even ask the rep for more. However, I don't think either your doc or the rep think that it will be a long term deal. Many generics are just as effective as the brand, but there have been many reports about those that ARE NOT as good. Now, these may be "urban legends", but as I recall there was one documeted episode with Mylan, Watson or one of the other major generic producers in the U.S. with the quality of their generic Klonopin (clonazepam). You can do the research (probably in the archieves here) to find out the deal. Personally, I would get the cheapest as long as you get the same result, but be very open to the offer of free brand meds if they are made available to you.
PAX
Posted by jay on June 10, 2003, at 19:12:22
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by paxvox on June 10, 2003, at 18:09:37
> I agree with some of both of the previous posts. I have been the recipient of hundreds of dollars worth of "free" samples from docs over the years. Many docs will provide you with what they can, and may even ask the rep for more. However, I don't think either your doc or the rep think that it will be a long term deal. Many generics are just as effective as the brand, but there have been many reports about those that ARE NOT as good. Now, these may be "urban legends", but as I recall there was one documeted episode with Mylan, Watson or one of the other major generic producers in the U.S. with the quality of their generic Klonopin (clonazepam). You can do the research (probably in the archieves here) to find out the deal. Personally, I would get the cheapest as long as you get the same result, but be very open to the offer of free brand meds if they are made available to you.
>
> PAXYes, but even the brand name drugs are far cheaper in Canada. So far Zoloft, Prozac, Luvox, Serzone, and Mannerix(sp?) have gone generic in Canada. It's nice to have the choice, and if you don't like the generic, can go back to the brand name. Like Larry said....this usually isn't a permanent thing, and like my and many other doctors say..lock the drug reps out of doctor's offices, because their only goal is profit, not seeing you do better.
Jay
Posted by stjames on June 11, 2003, at 10:49:56
In reply to curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by allisonm on June 10, 2003, at 17:05:21
There is help available for the many millions of people who have no insurance and can't afford to purchase their medicines. NeedyMeds is the place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs designed to help those who can't afford their medicines. NeedyMeds is not a program. It's an information source
Posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 18:46:14
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by stjames on June 11, 2003, at 10:49:56
Wow, that was an interesting link! I really had no idea that drug companies actually assisted patients of low income w/o insurance coverage, etc.... I must wonder, sardonically, if the rest of us somehow absorb that cost in higher drug prices. Call it welfare or Democratic Party health planning, but somebody has to be paying for it. Still, I guess those of us who can afford an extra few dollars per prescription have some sort of moral obligation to assist those who would otherwise have no access to medicines that would improve the quality of their life. I only hope that those who really NEED such help actually are aware that it exists, because I did not, and I have access to a plethora of information. Maybe the medical community communicates this information to the appropriate patients.
PAX
Posted by stjames on June 12, 2003, at 10:32:17
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 18:46:14
> Wow, that was an interesting link!
I am glad you do not see this as some
conspiracy plot !
Posted by Kathii on June 12, 2003, at 11:38:16
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by paxvox on June 11, 2003, at 18:46:14
The drug companies do benefit from giving away meds -
advertising
public relations
name-brand loyalty
tax write-offs
probably some government subsidy, tooThe whole time I was on Celexa I never had a script - they were all samples, in a huge dispenser box.
> Wow, that was an interesting link! I really had no idea that drug companies actually assisted patients of low income w/o insurance coverage, etc.... I must wonder, sardonically, if the rest of us somehow absorb that cost in higher drug prices. Call it welfare or Democratic Party health planning, but somebody has to be paying for it. Still, I guess those of us who can afford an extra few dollars per prescription have some sort of moral obligation to assist those who would otherwise have no access to medicines that would improve the quality of their life. I only hope that those who really NEED such help actually are aware that it exists, because I did not, and I have access to a plethora of information. Maybe the medical community communicates this information to the appropriate patients.
>
> PAX
Posted by stjames on June 12, 2003, at 12:49:34
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by Kathii on June 12, 2003, at 11:38:16
> The drug companies do benefit from giving away meds -
> advertising
> public relations
> name-brand loyalty
> tax write-offs
> probably some government subsidy, tooAnd so do the patients. Everyone gets a tax write off when they give things away
Posted by Caleb462 on June 13, 2003, at 19:20:10
In reply to Re: curious drug rep behavior. any thoughts?, posted by stjames on June 12, 2003, at 12:49:34
I've been on 5 expensive not-yet-off patent drugs in the past year and a half... Seroquel, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Effexor XR... and only twice have I filled a prescription, the rest has all been from sample boxes.
The generics I take (Clomipramine and Alprazolam), are cheap, so it doesn't matter.
This is the end of the thread.
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