The cost of drugs is important to consumers…
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1 The cost of drugs is important to consumers… According to recent data* 11.4% of the population in Michigan (over 1.1 million citizens) are uninsured: 6.3% of children in Michigan are uninsured. Even Seniors who are Medicare D eligible and who have enrolled in Medicare D are sensitive to drug prices. * Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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The cost of drugs is important to consumers…. According to recent data* 11.4% of the population in Michigan (over 1.1 million citizens) are uninsured: 6.3% of children in Michigan are uninsured. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of The cost of drugs is important to consumers…
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The cost of drugs is important to consumers…
According to recent data* 11.4% of the population in Michigan (over 1.1 million citizens) are uninsured:
6.3% of children in Michigan are uninsured.
Even Seniors who are Medicare D eligible and who have enrolled in Medicare D are sensitive to drug prices.
* Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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MEDICARE PART D “DONUT HOLE”
Seniors on Medicare have to pay 71% of the first $5,100 in prescription drug costs which amounts to $3,600 out of pocket.
Saving Seniors Money
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A typical older American takes
four prescription drugs.
Source: AARP “Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Brand-Name Prescription Drugs Used by Older Americans – 2006 Year-End Update”
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Since 2000, manufacturer prices of 153 widely used
prescription drugs by older Americans increased by
more than 53.6%.
Source: AARP “Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Brand-Name Prescription Drugs Used by Older Americans – 2006 Year-End Update”
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In 2004, I began the fight to create an interactive
prescription drug cost website in Michigan.www.MichiganDrugPrices.com
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After three Attorney General investigations, three years of hard work and public pressure, the Department of Community Health (who
houses the necessary data) still needs to make substantial improvements to the website.
Current Inadequacies Include:• Only 30 drugs.• Many top prescribed drugs missing• No drugs listed to treat some major diseases• Fails to clearly identify whether price is for brand name or generic drugs.
www.michigandrugprices.com
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Consumer searches for drug.
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Brand name drug referenced but generic drug prices (Fluoxetine HCL) provided.
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30 drugs is not enough!
Minnesota website lists 200 drugs;– http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=Rx
New Jersey website lists 150 drugs;– http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/njpdr/
New York website lists 150 drugs;– http://www.nyagrx.org/
Florida website lists 100 drugs;– http://www.myfloridarx.com/
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30 drugs on the MDCH site is not enough for several reasons:
1) It does not list many of the top prescribed drugs (e.g., drugs in May 2007 Prescription Drug Survey such as Singulair, Advair Diskus, Effexor XR, Plavix, Prevacid, and Ambien).
2) The drugs listed do not cover a wide array of conditions – MDCH’s Web site lists 30 drugs disproportionately weighted with drugs for indications of anxiety (3), depression (4), schizophrenia (2), and pain (3).
3) No drugs listed to treat major diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, or Alzheimer’s.
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New York features 150 drugs and their 2006 Drug Web Site Report:
Analyzed 1,898 drug price comparison searches performed by consumers on NY Drug website (www.nyagrx.org) during the two week period of January 12-26, 2006.
Senior citizens could save $833.28 a year by searching for the best price on the website1.
1Based on an average saving of $17.36 per prescription times 4 prescriptions per month for 12 months.
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Generic drugs exhibited the greatest price variability and therefore the largest potential savings.
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Conclusion from NY study…
… more drugs listed on website, including generics, results in
greater savings for consumers.
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A local Prescription Drug Finder website is important and here’s a good example why:
Highest: $192.99
Lowest: $80.00
EFFEXOR XR
HIGHEST LOWEST
Detroit 144.99 80.00
Flint 144.99 106.78
Grand Rapids 144.99 109.05
Kalamazoo 144.99 110.62
Lansing 138.99 104.00
Saginaw 150.00 93.84
Traverse City 140.99 98.99
Troy 144.69 82.99
Upper Peninsula 144.30 101.59
Warren 192.99 108.82
Price Difference 141.24%
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AG Cox May 2007 Prescription Drug Survey:
11 drugs in 10 communities;
20 pharmacies per community;
Drugs not listed on MDCH Web site;
Top prescribed drugs;
Drugs to treat wide variety of conditions.
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DRUGS SURVEYEDDrug Name Dosage Quantity Common Use
Advair Diskus 250/50 60 dose disc Asthma
Ambien 10 mg 30 tablets Insomnia
Avandia 4 mg 60 tablets Diabetes
Effexor XR 75 mg 30 capsules Depression
Fosamax 10 mg 30 tablets Osteoporosis
Norvasc 5 mg 30 tablets High blood pressure
Plavix 75 mg 30 tablets Prevents clotting
Premarin 0.625 mg 20 tablets Hormonal therapy
Prevacid 15 mg 30 capsules Acid reflux
Protonix 40 mg 30 tablets Acid reflux
Singulair 10 mg 30 tablets Asthma
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Pharmacies SurveyedRandomly selected approximately 20 pharmacies in thefollowing communities:
1. Detroit
2. Flint Area
3. Grand Rapids
4. Kalamazoo Area
5. Lansing Area
6. Marquette/Upper Peninsula
7. Saginaw/Bay City Area
8. Traverse City Area
9. Troy
10.Warren
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Consumers have a right to know the price of Consumers have a right to know the price of prescription drugs when they ask in person or prescription drugs when they ask in person or by phone (MCL 333.17757).by phone (MCL 333.17757).
Pharmacies must conspicuously display Pharmacies must conspicuously display written notice at each drug counter the written notice at each drug counter the consumers’ right to ask for drug prices.consumers’ right to ask for drug prices.
Report violations to the Bureau of Health Report violations to the Bureau of Health Professions at the Michigan Department of Professions at the Michigan Department of Community Health by calling (517) 373-4972.Community Health by calling (517) 373-4972.
Consumers’ Right to Know
2020
Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in DetroitExtreme Price Differences in Detroit
$178.00
$80.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00
Ambien
HighLow
$300.00
$198.00
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00$300.00
Avandia
HighLow
$158.80
$90.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00
Protonix
HighLow
$144.77
$75.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00
Singulair
HighLow
$98.00* $102.00*
$68.80* $69.77*
* Difference between High and Low
2121
Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in FlintExtreme Price Differences in Flint
$231.88$174.95
$10.00$60.00
$110.00$160.00$210.00
Advair
HighLow
$174.99
$120.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00
Ambien
HighLow
$263.99
$171.20
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00
Avandia
HighLow
$184.99
$139.70
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00
Prevacid
HighLow
$56.93 * $54.99*
$92.79* $45.29*
* Difference between High and Low
2222
Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in Grand RapidsExtreme Price Differences in Grand Rapids
$227.00$172.80
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00
Advair
HighLow
$174.99
$117.69
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00
Ambien
HighLow
$276.59
$197.98
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00$300.00
Avandia
HighLow
$185.00
$103.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00
Prevacid
HighLow
$82.00*$78.61*
$54.20* $57.30*
* Difference between High and Low
2323
Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in KalamazooExtreme Price Differences in Kalamazoo
$226.99$184.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00$225.00$250.00
Advair
HighLow
$174.99
$98.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00
Ambien
HighLow
$276.59
$201.36
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00$300.00
Avandia
HighLow
$89.73
$46.90
$0.00$10.00$20.00$30.00$40.00$50.00$60.00$70.00$80.00$90.00
$100.00
Norvasc
HighLow
$42.83*
$76.99*$42.99*
$75.23*
* Difference between High and Low
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Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in LansingExtreme Price Differences in Lansing
$221.99$175.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00$225.00$250.00
Advair
HighLow
$188.99
$90.00
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00
Ambien
HighLow
$253.99$200.00
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00$300.00
Avandia
HighLow
$146.12
$100.18
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00
Protonix
HighLow
$46.99* $98.99*
$53.99* $45.94*
* Difference between High and Low
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Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in SaginawExtreme Price Differences in Saginaw
$250.25
$167.44
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00
Advair
HighLow
$188.00
$90.36
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00
Ambien
HighLow
$276.25
$200.36
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00$300.00
Avandia
HighLow
$161.75
$105.36
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00
Protonix
HighLow
$82.81* $97.64*
$75.89* $56.39*
* Difference between High and Low
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Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in Traverse CityExtreme Price Differences in Traverse City
$220.98
$184.95$150.00
$175.00
$200.00
$225.00
$250.00
Advair
HighLow
$251.99
$200.00
$150.00$175.00$200.00$225.00$250.00$275.00
Avandia
HighLow
$140.99
$98.99
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00
Effexor XR
HighLow
$176.99
$139.95
$100.00$110.00$120.00$130.00$140.00$150.00$160.00$170.00$180.00
Prevacid
HighLow
$36.03* $51.99*
$42.00* $37.04*
* Difference between High and Low
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Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in TroyExtreme Price Differences in Troy
$179.99
$120.39
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00
Ambien
HighLow
$253.99
$176.00
$0.00$50.00
$100.00$150.00$200.00$250.00$300.00
Avandia
HighLow
$144.69
$82.99
$0.00$25.00$50.00$75.00
$100.00$125.00$150.00
Effexor XR
HighLow
$87.59
$40.00$0.00
$10.00$20.00$30.00$40.00$50.00$60.00$70.00$80.00$90.00
$100.00
Norvasc
HighLow
$59.60* $77.99*
$61.70* $47.59*
* Difference between High and Low
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Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in Upper PeninsulaExtreme Price Differences in Upper Peninsula
$240.00
$178.94$150.00
$175.00
$200.00
$225.00
$250.00
Advair
HighLow
$178.79
$111.49
$0.00$30.00$60.00$90.00
$120.00$150.00$180.00
Ambien
HighLow
$169.59
$126.69$100.00$110.00$120.00$130.00$140.00$150.00$160.00$170.00
Plavix
HighLow
$190.29
$140.59
$100.00$110.00$120.00$130.00$140.00$150.00$160.00$170.00$180.00$190.00$200.00
Prevacid
HighLow
$61.06* $67.30*
$42.90* $49.70*
* Difference between High and Low
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Survey ResultsSurvey ResultsExtreme Price Differences in WarrenExtreme Price Differences in Warren
$188.99
$120.39$100.00$115.00$130.00$145.00$160.00$175.00$190.00
Ambien
HighLow
$253.99
$193.78$150.00$175.00$200.00$225.00$250.00$275.00
Avandia
HighLow
$192.99
$108.82
$0.00$20.00$40.00$60.00$80.00
$100.00$120.00$140.00$160.00$180.00$200.00
Effexor XR
HighLow
$221.99
$176.29
$100.00$125.00$150.00$175.00$200.00$225.00$250.00
Advair
HighLow
$45.70* $68.60*
$60.21* $84.17*
* Difference between High and Low
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AG Recommendation:Governor & Department of Community Health
Should Improve Website: Increase drugs to at least 150 and include several common dosages. Ensure top prescribed drugs are included on the site. Ensure drugs listed to treat all major diseases. Clearly identify pricing for both generic and brand drugs.
