Glucagon 1 MG Emergency Kit $122.06 - Page 2

Miike · #11 06-08-2012, 08:16 PM

I just felt like venting on what I think is overpricing. No doubt a valuable tool in the event of some emergency. I had my last insulin shock some 35 years ago. I agree it is worth having but can't help feeling prices are too high. A vial of Novalog over $100 and I would pay $10,000 if they made me. Yes only a small copay but the insurance cost reflects this.

mmgirls · #12 06-08-2012, 11:12 PM

we have the RX written for 3. one for home, one for grandparents and one for school everywhere bag. Makes it not feel like so much.

Now test strips, don't get me started on their cost.

Mrs. Russman · #13 06-09-2012, 12:09 AM

Our recent receipt for Glucagon says "your insurance saved you $192"
So price must vary by region. I remember it used to be $100 4-5 years ago.
but like so many others, if you need it, its priceless.

JackyH · #14 06-09-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miike

I just felt like venting on what I think is overpricing. No doubt a valuable tool in the event of some emergency. I had my last insulin shock some 35 years ago. I agree it is worth having but can't help feeling prices are too high. A vial of Novalog over $100 and I would pay $10,000 if they made me. Yes only a small copay but the insurance cost reflects this.

Do you really pay $100 for a vial of insulin in the States? I pay $28 for a vial of Apidra - $32 for Humalog or Novalog in Canada - why the huge difference I wonder ...

mmgirls · #15 06-09-2012, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackyH

Do you really pay $100 for a vial of insulin in the States? I pay $28 for a vial of Apidra - $32 for Humalog or Novalog in Canada - why the huge difference I wonder ...

We do not have universal health care, you will find many that have a copay of 10 and many above 60.

Just one my street, we have several people with the same Rx's and thae same household size and even the same income, yet we all pay very different health care costs.

C6H12O6 · #16 06-09-2012, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmgirls

We do not have universal health care, you will find many that have a copay of 10 and many above 60.

Just one my street, we have several people with the same Rx's and thae same household size and even the same income, yet we all pay very different health care costs.

It is not related to universal health care. In fact, most people in Canada pay for pharmaceuticals out of pocket or through private insurance. There is no universal pharmaceutical care in Canada.

The cost of pharmaceuticals is regulated in Canada, so the cost of meds is much lower here. This is why lantus did not come onto the Canadian market for a long time after it was approved by health Canada. Aventis had to negotiate w. the government in order to be able to charge what they thought was a fair price for the product. Lantus is $69.50 for 1000 units which is relatively high.

These are the costs of insulins out of pocket in Canada https://www.diabetesdepot.ca/estore/...category_id,9/

They can be purchased without an rx at this price.

Joretta · #17 06-09-2012, 06:23 AM

Okay price vary according to regulation of the state, federal government, demand, and who knows what other reason. In Florida my daughters receipts for 3 vials you saved $1000 something.

Turtle1605 · #18 06-09-2012, 10:32 AM

I agree with you that something costing that much is sinful. Actually, I think that the cost of all of the supplies that are necessary for a type 1 diabetic (and those with other medical conditions) is sinful, but of course, that seems to be the way of the corporate and pharmacy world. I also think that it is not surprising that very few new vaccines or cures have been developed for the last 40-50 years...uh...I think that was about the time the companies figured out that it was not a good idea to develop vaccines and cures. Part of me doesn't believe this and part of me can't help but to believe it.

For example, medtronic has a new enlite cgm. It is available all over the place except the US. It is half the size and twice as accurate as the one we have available to us now...but the FDA won't approve it. Maybe it has something to do with the test strip companies seeing their corner of the market being cut by about $600,000,000 a year if type 1 diabetics will only have to use a test strip about once every 12 hours versus 6-10 times a day. The good news is the FDA can't hold out much longer because they have no reason to...it should be available at the end of this year or next year from what I've read.

I feel overwhelmed for those who have no insurance, but don't qualify for assistance. My husband's health insurance open-enrollment for this year ended 11/29/11. My son was diagnosed 11/30/11. We picked the high deductible plan because none of us had health problems. We have been out thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars for his supplies, but at least we will have much better options for coverage next year. I often wonder what people do who have no better options and coverage. I mean why on earth does a 50-test strip bottle cost $23 on the internet but $58 at Walmart and up to twice that much at drug stores?

I will sell everything I own to get my son what he needs....but the cost of these supplies is criminal.

Miike · #19 06-09-2012, 12:00 PM

I'd pay $1,000 for a vial of novalog if that is what they made me pay. I know the value of a lifesaving or lifegiving medicine. The thrust of my first post was my thinking that aside from the inherent value, these things seem over priced.

obtainedmist · #20 06-09-2012, 02:12 PM

We actually had to pay out of pocket for glucagon last fall because our ridiculous insurance decided that the only "injectable" they would cover is insulin. We appealed with a letter stating that it was akin to rejecting an epi-pen for a person with a peanut allergy. It was finally allowed, but not before we had to shell out $158 to send our daughter off to college with the kit (she had an orientation 5 day back-pack).