Fight Price Gouging for Important Medications with the Pharmacy Benefit

Stopping at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription has become something many Americans fear, with pharmaceutical costs going through the roof. Recent news stories have brought to light the issue with privately owned medicine patents, and delivery devices, as evidence by first the Pharma Bro and then the Pharma Sis.

First it was a medication for AIDs patients, many of them children, suddenly unable to afford their meds when the price was inflated by the guy who had bought the patent. He was roundly denounced for price gouging a lifesaving drug, and public uproar had a negative impact on his company as the story went viral. Martin Shkreli became America’s most hated person overnight.

Next came an almost identical uproar over the price increases for the Epi-Pen – an injectable form of epinephrine in an easy to use delivery system. The Epi-Pen was patented by a company called Mylan, and when the CEO made the call to jack the cost of a two pack of pens up over $600, parents across the nation were outraged.

Since the pens expire yearly and must be replaced, used or not, the cost was seemingly overwhelming, even when 50% off coupons were distributed. The implications were clear – this wasn’t about helping children, but about increasing company profits, even as the company boosted legislation to make their devices mandatory in schools and other facilities across the nation.

Many other people find pharmacy costs out of control, with insurance companies often refusing to cover needed options and doctors writing name brand scrips over generics thanks to kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies. Things like migraine meds, acid blockers, and other quality of life medications are included in high priced categories. In many cases, people end up going without, or trying to take half doses to make meds last longer – neither idea a viable one.

2BenefitU’s Pharmacy Benefit can often save significant amounts of money even compared to insurance benefit final costs. The benefit is one of up to 20 or more benefits available for a low monthly cost starting at $15.95, and could provide the best savings option on generic medications at pharmacies coast to coast.

If you have been struggling with pharmacy costs, talk to your doctor about prescribing generics, and to your pharmacist about whether or not they accept the pharmacy benefit. Your medications costs shouldn’t impact your ability to pay for electricity and buy food – yet, sadly, that is the choice many Americans are being forced to make.