Generic Topamax just became available a couple of days ago—and it’s incredibly cheap. This medication, which can be taken for a variety of conditions, such as seizures, migraines, and some psychiatric disorders, was previously incredibly expensive . . . with some strengths costing more than $500 per month. The new generic, on the other hand, is really, truly affordable. The lowest price I was able to find in my area was about $50 per month for most strengths.You need to be careful, though, because many pharmacies will most likely keep the price artificially inflated for a while—even though the cost of this drug has dropped dramatically. For example, here are some prices for the same exact prescription at a few different pharmacies:
Generic Topamax 100mg #60 Tablets
Costco: Didn't know the price of new generic yet
CVS: $366.00
Kmart: $48.70
Kroger: Was told there was no generic available
Local Independent Pharmacy #1: $130.45
Local Independent Pharmacy #2: $59.37
Local Independent Pharmacy #3: $308.92
Rite Aid: Was told there was no generic available
Target: Was told there was no generic available
Wal-Mart: $242.32
Walgreens: $349.99
It’s amazing that you could take the exact same prescription to Kmart today and pay under $50 . . . while pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens would charge you about $350. Even worse, if you took this prescription to Kroger, Rite Aid, or Target you’d have to pay about $500 . . . because those pharmacies aren’t even aware that a generic version exists. If you take Topamax, you’ll definitely need to shop around for the best price on this one. But remember, it’s a dangerous gamble to use multiple pharmacies. Instead, if you find a lower price at another drug store, ask your current pharmacy to match this price.
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10 comments:
Fascinating. Nice detective work.
What do you think about the state-sponsored pharmacy price finders? Here are two examples from my neck of the woods:
Pennsylvania Rx Price Finder
N.J. Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry
Adam
Thanks. You'd be appalled if you knew how much this new generic actually costs pharmacies.
As for the state-sponsored price finders, these programs are a very interesting concept. They supposedly gather claims data whenever pharmacies submit prescriptions to Medicaid. Then these data are formed into a list of pharmacy prices. However, I've yet to find one of these sites that actually works well . . . including the two you linked to.
Well I would like to know how you found such good prices on the generic. I take the 50 mg, twice daily for migraines. It really helps me but I do not think I can afford to take it any more. I was so excited when I read your post about the generics, so I called local pharmacies:
Sam's- 224.68 60 tabs
Walmart- 255.36 60 tabs
Kmart- 285.00 60 tabs
But was so disappointed! Your local kmart told you only 58.00? Whats going on? Kmart told me the generic prices would stay this high for the next 6 to 9 months. And the drug company says I make to much for their assistance program, but I cannot afford to buy it. Nice.
The local Kmart pharmacy I called certainly did quote me a price of $48.70 for 60 100mg tablets of generic Topamax. I just called a few other Kmart pharmacies across the nation to determine their prices, and I was actually quoted a different price at every different store . . . varying from $38 to $470! The pharmacist at one of the stores seemed to think that the drug was incorrectly set up in their computer. Of course, in typical chain pharmacy fashion, she didn't know how to fix it.
This new generic is REALLY cheap now for pharmacies to purchase, and I have a feeling that if you look hard enough you'll be able to locate a pharmacy that won't overcharge you on this drug. Because you have a Sam's in your immediate area, I would assume that there are several other pharmacies that you can call. Make sure to include: Costco (if there's one in your area-they normally have extremely fair prescription prices), independently-owned pharmacies, and grocery-store pharmacies.
If I were you, though, I would call every single pharmacy listed in the phone book, and determine their price for this prescription. Then when you find the lowest price, ask your pharmacy to match this number.
Also don't forget, Topamax can be split in half. If you have your doctor change your prescription to thirty 100mg tablets (and take 1/2 tablet twice daily), this should also result in significant cost savings.
Make sure to come back, and let me know what you found out. :)
Well I am so sorry I doubted you! I called a locally owned pharmacy and they quoted me 37.00 for 50 mg, 60tabs. They did not have 100 mg available. I was so happy I stopped my search there. I guess there are some pharmacies out there not wanting to overcharge. I am going to run and get it filled before the price goes up! Seems too good be be true.....Thanks for your help
Thanks for following up with me. I'm glad you were able to find a pharmacy that was willing to give you a fair price on this medication. As for the price going up on this drug, I'm sure it will only go down over time.
We have no prescription drug coverage and have been struggling with Topamax prices. We've been having prescriptions filled at WalMart because it always seemed a few dollars cheaper, but NO MORE!
Costco has generic Topamax, TOPIRAMATE, for much less! Here's last week's comparison:
60-100mg 30-200mg
COSTCO $ 21.13 $ 17.59
WALMART $340.36 $252.62
Yes, you read that right. Costco has the same generic in the same dosage for less than 10% of WalMart's price! We called and then we physically went to each store to speak with the pharmacist to ensure there was no misunderstanding.
HOW CAN WALMART SAY THEY ARE HELPING PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE CHARGING 15 times WHAT COSTCO IS CHARGING?!?! Maybe this is their way of offseting their $4 prescription plan.
Anyway, I hope all of you are close enough to a Costco to compare your prescriptions and finally get some financial relief.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not need to be a Costco member to use their pharmacy.
Hi Wahine,
I wouldn't so much say that Wal-Mart is overcharging for prescriptions to make up for their $4 program. In fact, Wal-Mart was overcharging for these types of prescriptions long before they implemented $4 generics.
Instead, I believe that Wal-Mart utilizes their $4 program to attract people like you who don't have insurance. Then, because you assume that they sell drugs so cheaply, you're much less likely to compare the prices on other prescriptions.
You really should be happy, because you're one of the handful of people smart enough to have caught on to their ruse.
I've written numerous articles that mention in detail how Wal-Mart continually overcharges for prescriptions, such as Pharmacies Will Screw You Over on Prescription Drug Pricing if You Let Them, Wal-Mart’s $9 Inhalers . . . Too Good to be True?, What Giant Retailers Don’t Want You to Know: The Real Scoop on $4.00 Prescriptions, and Will Your Prescriptions Soon be Free at Wal-Mart? I'd encourage you to take a look at these, as you may find them interesting.
Thank you so much! You don't know how grateful I am to find this out. I been doing online research on Topiramate and trying to decide what to do with my unaffordable insurance, still it keeps going up. I was relieved when the generic came out but it's still steep. I knew I couldn't be the only in one in this situation! You brought so many emotions at once. I was very excited to go on the hunt for the $50 perscription. Angry for insurance companies overcharging me and the such a hugh fluctuation out there! Mostly, so relieved of a solution for me. I called about ten pharmacies, many were helpful, some explained it may lower after being on the market over a year and more companies will be on the market. One pharmisist even laughed at me when I questioned prices -incredible! Safeway was the highest althogh they offered price comparrison at $406.54. The lowest was a local at $45!!!!-Thank you Again
I would like to add my recent buying experience with topiramate (generic topamax).
I am employed by a large profitable corporation. Aetna is the insurance provider and Medco is the pharmaceutical provider. Medco stated that unless we buy ongoing prescriptions via mail order through them, we WILL pay more.
My child is epileptic and takes topiramate to control her seizures. She is young so she needs the sprinkle caps which cost considerably more than the tablet form.
The sprinkle caps cost US$1.85 each through mail order or at the local pharmacy. Therefore, the yearly cost at 4 per day exceeds US$2600!
So, I checked with Costco. The pharmacist there said the insurance company tells the pharmacy how much to charge, but the cash price (without insurance) is US$0.46 per caplet. Therefore, the yearly cost at 4 per day is $675!
In summary, buying topiramate through my Aetna/Medco insurance costs 400% MORE than buying from Costco WITHOUT insurance!!!!!
What kind of SCAM is this?????
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