Drug Charges, US Department of Commerce - and Costco

[Guest guest]

Costco--Read this whole article-especially the end - kudos for Costco!

 

 

WAITING

 

 

COSTCO! read this...

Let's hear it for Costco!! (This is just mind-boggling!) Make sure

you read all the way past the list of the drugs. The woman that

signed below is a Budget Analyst out of Federal Washington, DC offices.

 

Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active

ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must

cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet.

We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the

active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA. As we

have revealed in past issues of Life Extension, a significant

percentage of drugs sold in the United States contain

active ingredients made in other countries. In our independent

investigation of how much profit drug companies really make, we

obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of

the most popular drugs sold in America

 

The data below speaks for itself.

 

 

Celebrex: 100 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $130.27

Cost of general active ingredients: $ 0.60

Percent markup: 21,712%

 

 

 

 

Claritin: 1 0 mg

Consumer Price (100 tablets): $215.17

Cost of general active ingredients: $0.71

Percent markup: 30,306%

 

 

 

 

Keflex: 250 mg

Consumer Price (100 tablets): $157.39

Cost of general active ingredients: $1.88

Percent markup: 8,372%

 

 

 

 

Lipitor: 20 mg

Consumer Price (100 tab lets): $272.37

Cost of general active ingredients: $5.80

Percent markup: 4,696%

 

 

 

Norvasc: 10 mg Cost of general active ingredients: $0.14

Percent markup: 134,493%

 

 

 

 

Paxil: 20 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $220.27

Cost of general active ingredients: $7.60

Percent markup: 2,898%

 

 

 

Prevacid: 30 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $44.77

Cost of general active ingredients: $1.01

Percent markup: 34,136%

 

 

 

 

Prilosec: 20 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $360.97

Cost of general active ingredients $0.52

Percent markup: 69,417%

 

 

Prozac: 20 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $247.47

Cost of general active ingredients: $0.11

Percent markup: 224,973%

 

 

 

Tenormin: 50 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $104.47

Cost of general active ingredients: $0.13

Percent markup: 80,362%

 

 

 

 

Vasotec: 10 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $102.37

Cost of general active ingredients: $0.20

Percent markup: 51,185%

 

 

 

 

Xanax: 1 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets) : $136.79

Cost of general active ingredients: $0.024

Percent markup: 569,958%

 

 

 

 

Zestril: 20 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets) $89.89

Cost of general active ingredients $3.20

Percent markup: 2,809

 

 

 

 

Zithromax: 600 mg

Consumer price (100 tablets): $1,482.19

Cost of general active ingredients: $18.78

Percent markup: 7,892%

 

 

 

 

Zocor: /B 40 mg

Co nsumer price (100 tablets): $350.27

Cost of general active ingredients: $8.63

Percent markup: 4,059%

 

 

 

Zoloft: 50 mg

Consumer price: $206.87

Cost of general active ingredients: $1.75

Percent markup: 11,821%

 

 

 

 

Since the cost of prescription drugs is so outrageous, I

thought everyone should know about this. Please read the following

and pass it on. It pays to shop around. This helps to solve the

mystery as to why they can afford to put a Walgreen's on every

corner. On Monday night, Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter

for Channel 7 News in Detroit , did a story on generic drug price

gouging by pharmacies. He found in his investigation, that some of

these generic drugs were marked up as much as 3,000% or more. Yes,

that's not a typo.....three thousand percent! So often, we blame the

drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully

so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the pharmacies

themselves. For example, if you had to buy a prescription drug, and

bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills.

The pharmacist might tell you that if you get the generic

equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are

'saving' $20. What the pharmacist is not telling you is that those

100 generic pills may have only cost him $10!

 

At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson

whether or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to

this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little

over their cost for the generic drugs.

 

 

I went to the Costco site , where you can look up any drug, and get

its online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent

with the online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example

from my own experience, I had to use the drug, Compazine, which

helps prevent nausea in chemo patients.

VIAGRA FREE

 

I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60 pills at

CVS. I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100

pills for $19.89. For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could

have got 150 at Costco for $28.08.

 

I would like to mention, that although Costco is a 'membership' type

store, you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there,

as it is a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at

the door that you wish to use the pharmacy, and they will let you

in. (this is true)

 

 

I went there this past Thursday and asked them. I am asking each of

you to please help me by copying this letter, and passing it into

your own e-mail, and send it to everyone you know with an e-mail address.

 

Sharon L. Davis

Budget Analyst

US Department of Commerce

Room 6839

Office Ph: 202-482-4458

Office Fax: 202-482-5480

E-mail Address: sdavis

 

 

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5010.jpg "

Content-ID: <10.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.10

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5919.jpg "

Content-ID: <19.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.19

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5616.jpg "

Content-ID: <16.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.16

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image411.jpg "

Content-ID: <1.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.1

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image499.jpg "

Content-ID: <9.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.9

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5818.jpg "

Content-ID: <18.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.18

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5313.jpg "

Content-ID: <13.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.13

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5414.jpg "

Content-ID: <14.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.14

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image422.jpg "

Content-ID: <2.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.2

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image455.jpg "

Content-ID: <5.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.5

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image6020.jpg "

Content-ID: <20.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.20

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5212.jpg "

Content-ID: <12.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.12

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image477.jpg "

Content-ID: <7.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.7

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image488.jpg "

Content-ID: <8.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.8

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5717.jpg "

Content-ID: <17.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.17

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image444.jpg "

Content-ID: <4.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.4

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image466.jpg "

Content-ID: <6.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.6

 

Content-Type: image/gif; name= " imstp_animation_monkey_en_020908.gif "

Content-ID: <21.3261236829

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.21

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5111.jpg "

Content-ID: <11.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.11

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5515.jpg "

Content-ID: <15.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.0.1.15

 

 

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image411.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image411.jpg "

Content-ID: 5.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.1

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image411.jpg>

image411.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image422.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image422.jpg "

Content-ID: 6.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.2

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image422.jpg>

image422.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image433.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image433.jpg "

Content-ID: 7.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.3

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image433.jpg>

image433.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image444.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image444.jpg "

Content-ID: 8.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.4

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image444.jpg>

image444.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image455.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image455.jpg "

Content-ID: 9.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.5

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image455.jpg>

image455.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image466.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image466.jpg "

Content-ID: 10.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.6

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image466.jpg>

image466.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image477.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image477.jpg "

Content-ID: 11.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.7

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image477.jpg>

image477.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image488.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image488.jpg "

Content-ID: 12.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.8

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image488.jpg>

image488.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image499.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image499.jpg "

Content-ID: 13.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.9

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image499.jpg>

image499.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5010.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5010.jpg "

Content-ID: 14.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.10

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5010.jpg>

image5010.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5111.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5111.jpg "

Content-ID: 15.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.11

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5111.jpg>

image5111.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5212.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5212.jpg "

Content-ID: 16.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.12

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5212.jpg>

image5212.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5313.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5313.jpg "

Content-ID: 17.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.13

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5313.jpg>

image5313.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5414.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5414.jpg "

Content-ID: 18.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.14

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5414.jpg>

image5414.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5515.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5515.jpg "

Content-ID: 19.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.15

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5515.jpg>

image5515.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5616.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5616.jpg "

Content-ID: 20.3261236828

X-Attachment-Id: 0.16

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5616.jpg>

image5616.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5717.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5717.jpg "

Content-ID: 21.3261236829

X-Attachment-Id: 0.17

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5717.jpg>

image5717.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5818.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5818.jpg "

Content-ID: Inbox/1_228665_AEvPjkQAAKj8SYSHgQSVwx%2BVOkY/19//21t

X-Attachment-Id: 0.18

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5818.jpg>

image5818.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image5919.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image5919.jpg "

Content-ID: 1_228665_AEvPjkQAAKj8SYSHgQSVwx+VOkYkY

X-Attachment-Id: 0.19

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image5919.jpg>

image5919.jpg

Content-Type: image/jpeg; name= " image6020.jpg "

Content-Disposition: attachment; filename= " image6020.jpg "

Content-ID: Inbox:1_228665_AEvPjkQAAKj8SYSHgQSVwx+VOkY

X-Attachment-Id: 0.20

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\image6020.jpg>

image6020.jpg

Content-Type: image/gif; name= " imstp_animation_monkey_en_020908.gif "

Content-Disposition: attachment;

filename= " imstp_animation_monkey_en_020908.gif "

Content-ID: <21.3261236829

X-Attachment-Id: 0.21

 

<file://c:\program%20files\qualcomm\eudora\attach\imstp_animation_monkey_en_0209\

082.gif>

 

imstp_animation_monkey_en_0209082.gif