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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: Tempeboy on November 01, 2011, 06:25:46 pm

Title: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Tempeboy on November 01, 2011, 06:25:46 pm
Hi all,

Wondering if anyone can tell me what the cost of ARV's are in the US and Canada?

Cheers

TB
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: buginme2 on November 01, 2011, 06:44:50 pm
Wouldn't it depend which ARV you are speaking of? They all dont cost the same amount.

My pharmacy charges $1670.95 for 30 days of Atripla. 
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: denb45 on November 01, 2011, 07:13:21 pm
Wouldn't it depend which ARV you are speaking of? They all dont cost the same amount.

My pharmacy charges $1670.95 for 30 days of Atripla. 

My Blue Cross Blue Shield/ DOH Santa Fe, NM Pharmacy charges this each month, they must have some kinda deal with the State DOH, I'd have to ask Mark what that is, I'm sure he would know  ;)

Isentress $250.00

Aptivus   $250.00

Truvavda $ 250.00

Norvir     $ 250.00

Total       $ 1000
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: SuperDuper on November 02, 2011, 11:31:20 pm
In Canada I pay $1400 a month for Atripla
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: seriously on November 03, 2011, 01:15:51 am
$1107 for Truvada and $1006 for Isentress a month....
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Tempeboy on November 06, 2011, 08:04:21 pm
Wow,

Is this what you pay, or is this the total cost?

TB
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: SteveInToronto on November 18, 2011, 12:17:20 pm
30 day supply of:

Truvada: $855
Intelence: $725
Total: $1,580

These are retail pharmacy prices in Toronto Canada.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: delamelanicon on November 20, 2011, 01:05:47 pm
Dunno about US or Canada but in India,

Isentress (Original) = US$ 200 or Ind Rs 10,000 approx

Atripla Generic = US$ 78 or Ind Rs 3900 approx

Gilead's Truvada n Viread (original) are now availabe in India. can find out their prices for U
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Hoover on November 21, 2011, 08:58:28 am
I have a supplier from my doctor who gets the meds from Panama.
Atripla costs us from $85 to $100.00 depending on age of the meds.
If it can be sold that cheaply here in CR, why do they rape the US citizens so?

Hoover
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Miss Philicia on November 21, 2011, 09:33:03 am
Hey Hoover, I pay $1 a month for about 15 medications. ;)
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Hoover on November 21, 2011, 09:38:07 am
Honey if I don't mind standing in line with the masses, I can get them for free.

Hoover
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Miss Philicia on November 21, 2011, 09:49:38 am
Honey if I don't mind standing in line with the masses, I can get them for free.

Hoover


Darling, I don't stand in line with the hoi polloi. I go to a proper private pharmacy -- an HIV specialist one no less, and in the fashionable district of Washington Square West (http://www.google.com/search?q=washington+square+west&hl=en&safe=off&nord=1&site=webhp&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=4mTKTt3xF-b10gH16azaDg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1017&bih=915). Oh, and I'm on that dreaded socialist un-American Medicare no less.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: james3000 on November 21, 2011, 09:54:13 am
In Canada ( Ontario) my meds cost $52,000 a year at the moment.

I have to pay $3000 dollars a year this deductible is payed in 4 quarters of the year.

Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Hoover on November 21, 2011, 10:27:53 am
I rather like that socialist medicine and love my free HIV doctor and free labs.
My issue is driving over the two volcanoes to get to the hospital.
Standing in line with all those people is too much of a chance to catch the flue for me.

Why can't the US get rid of their insurance providers and lower their prices to where normal people could afford health care. Better yet throw in socialized medicine for everyone.

Hoover
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Ann on November 21, 2011, 10:29:19 am

If it can be sold that cheaply here in CR, why do they rape the US citizens so?


Because the powerful Big Pharma lobby ensures that the US legislature allows them to rape the US public, that's why.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Miss Philicia on November 21, 2011, 10:51:50 am
There are a lot of interests at play, and it's far from simplified as a handful of ignorant US ex-patriots always paint it.  But hey, go ahead an enjoy your tropical parasites, volcanic ash and/or Irish Sea rain-weary depression weather. I've got my socialized medication and I get to enjoy top tier hospital services in the Ivy League U-Penn system, ranked second for research in the US by US News & World Reports (http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/university-of-pennsylvania-04100).
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: buginme2 on November 21, 2011, 10:54:11 am


Why can't the US get rid of their insurance providers and lower their prices to where normal people could afford health care. Better yet throw in socialized medicine for everyone.

Hoover
Because the powerful Big Pharma lobby ensures that the US legislature allows them to rape the US public, that's why.

Not to mention it costs tens to hundreds of millions of dollars if not more to properly go through the drug discovery process.  If you didnt charge for medication then governments would have to pay to discover new drugs.  I dont see Costa Rica or Panama or most other countries for that matter pitching in to provide research.

We could all get free meds sure.  But we would probably end up with Spacebarsucks mothers honey and almond paste as our HIV cures.  I'd rather stick with the science.  And pay for it.

Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Ann on November 21, 2011, 10:59:48 am
There are a lot of interests at play, and it's far from simplified as a handful of ignorant US ex-patriots always paint it.  But hey, go ahead an enjoy your tropical parasites, volcanic ash and/or Irish Sea rain-weary depression weather. I've got my socialized medication and I get to enjoy top tier hospital services in the Ivy League U-Penn system, ranked second for research in the US by US News & World Reports (http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/university-of-pennsylvania-04100).

Well aren't you speschul! Not everyone is so lucky in the states. I have first-hand experience of just how crappy it can be, and that was 20-30 years ago and things have only gotten MUCH worse since then. I might not live in the States anymore (thanking my lucky stars) but that doesn't mean I don't know what goes on there these days. ::)

Not to mention it costs tens to hundreds of millions of dollars if not more to properly go through the drug discovery process.  If you didnt charge for medication then governments would have to pay to discover new drugs.  I dont see Costa Rica or Panama or most other countries for that matter pitching in to provide research.

We could all get free meds sure.  But we would probably end up with Spacebarsucks mothers honey and almond paste as our HIV cures.  I'd rather stick with the science.  And pay for it.



R&D is only a fraction of the ultimate costs of meds. An awful lot of it goes into the high salaries, bonuses and other perks for the CEOs and other upper echelon employees, as well as advertising and give-aways to doctors to entice them into prescribing their drugs. There is a lot of information on this on the internet (from reputable sources too, not just the tin-foil brigade) but I don't have time to find the links for you. I'm sure you have google abilities on your computer too.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Miss Philicia on November 21, 2011, 11:00:59 am
Not to mention if those hard-working Germans don't start coughing up money for those lazy Club Med lifestyles in Rimini and the Costa del Sol your entire dysfunctional continent will tank in several months. :-*
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: buginme2 on November 21, 2011, 11:07:33 am
Ok here is a link to wikipedia that states on average as of 2003 it costs $800 million to bring a new drug to market.  Explain how a company is going to recoup that cost without charging for it.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_development

Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: Torchwood on December 22, 2011, 07:17:20 am
Complera is $1800.00 here in the US per Walgreens.
Insurance Co-Pay: $50.00 a month

My insurance for the entire family is 1800.00/mo I formed a corporation and have my own policy for the family.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: outeast on January 18, 2012, 02:05:31 pm
I am trying to find the answer to a few questions on this same matter.

I have anthem insurance, but it just keeps going up. While my work /job has slowed down to a crawl. I have a pile of bills, but I just scrape by.
I was looking into droping my insurance.
I could buy my atripla on alldaychemist for 450.00 for 90 days, now I pay 500 for 90 days even with my insurance , then I pay anthem 290 a month.

$3480 a year insurance
$2000 a year meds

Blood work is like $480 a year
doctor twice a year is like $300

even if I pay out of pocket 1800, for meds
plus the blood and doc, it still comes to 2,580 far less the what I pay now.

So what I am asking does anyone know of this med from https://www.alldaychemist.com/manufacturer.php?id_manufacturer=88

have you used them? Or maybe someone knows a better sorce.

By the way living with  - for 23 years, healthy as a horse

Thanks
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: buginme2 on January 18, 2012, 02:39:52 pm
I would advise against dumping your insurance.  For one, you assume that you will remain "healthy as a horse.". What happens if you don't?  What happens after being HIV positive for 23 years somethig goes wrong and you don't have insurance? Sounds like a pretty big risk. 

Also, internet medicine is not reliable.  Previously the website hivgenericdrugs.com shipped to the US.  Then one day the website stopped working.  No one knows why.  Could have been the US govt shutting them down, who knows.  Point is I wouldnt rely on an internet site to deliver my mediciations ontime.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: outeast on January 19, 2012, 10:05:45 am
Thanks I have thought about all that. Truth is it's not going to work. I will loss it anyway if it's not paid. So I will just make out, the US goverment is just taking everyone for a ride. I bought my meds in asia for 9 years at 500 for 3 months. So what is it 3,000 here. doctors visits for 10 dollars and blood work for 100.

There will always be a way to buy meds. And yes you are right, who knows if I will be health all my life.  But it seems that so many on this site talk about getting theirs for free,don't have insurance and seem to get by. If they can take advantage of people that pay taxes and have insurance. well....
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: mecch on January 19, 2012, 10:53:09 am
Thanks I have thought about all that. Truth is it's not going to work. I will loss it anyway if it's not paid. So I will just make out, the US goverment is just taking everyone for a ride. I bought my meds in asia for 9 years at 500 for 3 months. So what is it 3,000 here. doctors visits for 10 dollars and blood work for 100.

There will always be a way to buy meds. And yes you are right, who knows if I will be health all my life.  But it seems that so many on this site talk about getting theirs for free,don't have insurance and seem to get by. If they can take advantage of people that pay taxes and have insurance. well....

Holy cow!  Are you sure you want to be saying, what I think you seem to be saying.  In this forum???   Do you realize how offensive some of us might think you are?

1)  I bought my meds in asia for 9 years at 500 for 3 months. So what is it 3,000 here.

The answer is that different countries have different income levels.  And different countries have made different agreements with "big pharma" about the price they are willing to pay for prescription drugs.  Including anti-retrovirals.

Yes, people living in countries that have decided to pay top dollar do often question why...

2)  But it seems that so many on this site talk about getting theirs for free,don't have insurance and seem to get by. If they can take advantage of people that pay taxes and have insurance. well....

I wont presume to speak for those on disability, social security, medicare/medicaid, adapt, etc.  You have a lot to learn!!!!  Hope you will listen.  And read more here, if you want to learn the answers.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: mecch on January 19, 2012, 04:31:23 pm
And nobody is getting their HAART "for free".  If some people aren't paying as much as other people, in a certain place, the whole country in that place is paying probably more than they can really afford.

I think HIV AIDS treatment is a burden for every country to pay. 

I don't think people receiving HIV treatment or any more of a burden of any tax payer in any one place, more than people with other costly treatments.

And there is one way the cost is actually lower than treatment for certain other illnesses.

I was a net loser to my insurance and tax payments versus how much my health cost, for most of my years of life.

I just became expensive to my Swiss insurance company a few years ago. But, the treatment keeps me perfectly HEALTHY.  I'm not dying. I'm working.  And if my swiss insurance is paying top dollar to the big pharma, like an American government or insurer must to get the treatment of their client, or citizen, those big pharmas ARE, after all, American and European based.  The employees are mostly in the first world and the shareholders too, I imagine.

In contrast, there are lists of developing countries where the costs are a fraction for the same drugs.  But its still a high cost considering the local wealth.  And that money is going out of the developing world economy, for sure.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: leatherman on January 19, 2012, 06:01:16 pm
now I pay 500 for 90 days even with my insurance , then I pay anthem 290 a month.
have you ever checked into co-pay assistance or patient assistance programs through the Atripla website?
http://www.atripla.com/hiv-med-cost.aspx
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: vaboi on March 03, 2012, 02:22:37 am
It seems to me that lately the pharma companies have been doing a decent job at giving away their meds to patients in the US who are in need.  Keep in mind, their intent is to "rape" the insurance companies, not the end consumer.  But anyone with any smarts knows that all this is doing is making insurance rates go higher, which reduces corporate profitability, your wages, competitiveness of US companies internationally, etc.  So yes, this "raping" by big Pharma of the insurance industry is doing more harm than good to the US.   They should charge EVERYONE the same price for the drugs they produce.  You don't see Oil or Gold having "special" prices based on location of who is buying it.. so why isn't medications the same way?   If anything, the U.S. consumer should be given a discount if the drugs are researched and produced here, NOT the other way around.
Title: Re: Cost of ARV's in US and Canada
Post by: mecch on March 03, 2012, 08:55:57 am
"Giving away" the medicine huh?  Facts about this where?

You will be interested to know that a chemist from University of Basel and former chief of research for a big pharm company told me in Davos this year, that Big Pharma is sponsoring the Israeli Secret Operations that created the Arab Spring, and is part of a master plot to destroy American power and replace it with an ancient Mason-like cabal of Muslim, Jewish, and Daoist membership.  Angelina Jolie overheard this conversation and confirmed its all true, cause the Dali Lama told her the same thing.  The cabal will need pharma to maintain mass control in the new world order.  China is already secretly experimenting with pharma based mass control in large but little-known industrial cities.