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The cost of drugs is important to consumers…

The cost of drugs is important to consumers…. According to a 2003 report* 11.7% of the population in Michigan (1,162,797 citizens) are uninsured: almost all of them are under the age of 65; one in five are children.

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The cost of drugs is important to consumers…

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  1. The cost of drugs is important to consumers… • According to a 2003 report* 11.7% of the population in Michigan (1,162,797 citizens) are uninsured: • almost all of them are under the age of 65; • one in five are children. • Some insurance companies charge a percentage co-pay instead of the flat-fee co-pay that many enjoy; • Medicare Part D helps seniors, but they can save by comparison shopping. * Report commissioned by Governor Granholm

  2. MEDICARE PART D “DONUT HOLE” 100% 25% 100% 5% 1: You pay 100% of the first $250 prescription drug costs; 2: You pay 25% of the next $2,000 prescription drug costs; 3: You pay 100% of the next $2,850 prescription drug costs; 4: You pay 5% of anything over $5,100 for the rest of the year. $250 + $500 + $2,850 = $3,600 that you pay before receiving catastrophic coverage. 1 2 3 4 $0 $250 $2,250 $5,100

  3. AG: LOCAL Usual & Customary (retail) price of 25 most commonly prescribed drugs CUSTOMIZED SEARCH by consumer and sorted by pharmacy or zip code DOSAGE & QUANTITY specific per drug DCH: Statewide Usual & Customary (retail) price of 25 most commonly prescribed drugs No search No quantity AG WEBSITE (HB 4559) vs. DCH WEBSITE

  4. DRUGS SURVEYED

  5. Pharmacies Surveyed • Randomly selected 20 or more pharmacies in the following communities: 1. Detroit 7. Saginaw 2. Grand Rapids 8. St Joseph/Benton 3. Lansing Harbor Area 4. Livonia 9. Sterling Heights 5. Monroe 10. Traverse City 6. Royal Oak

  6. Consumers’ Right to Know • Consumers have a right to know the price of prescription drugs when they ask in person or by phone (MCL 333.17757). • Pharmacies must conspicuously display written notice at each drug counter the consumers’ right to ask for drug prices. • 12% of the pharmacies contacted during my survey broke the law by refusing to give drug prices and some even hung up on my surveyors. • Report violations to the Bureau of Health Professions at the Michigan Department of Community Health by calling (517) 373-4972.

  7. SURVEY RESULTSGrand Rapids ~ Albuterol* (asthma inhaler) * At $28.33, the DCH Usual & Customary price is higher than the highest price charged by any pharmacy in Grand Rapids (at $26.99) for Albuterol.

  8. SURVEY RESULTSLansing ~ Albuterol* (asthma inhaler) * At $28.33, the DCH Usual & Customary price is higher than the highest price charged by any pharmacy in Lansing (at $26.99) for Albuterol.

  9. SURVEY RESULTSDetroit ~ Lexapro (antidepressant)

  10. SURVEY RESULTSLivonia ~ Singulair (treats asthma)

  11. SURVEY RESULTSMonroe ~ Acetaminophen w/ Codeine (pain reliever)

  12. SURVEY RESULTSRoyal Oak ~ Nasonex (allergy inhaler)

  13. SURVEY RESULTSSaginaw ~ Plavix (reduces risk of stroke or heart attack)

  14. SURVEY RESULTSSt. Joseph/Benton Harbor Area ~ Zoloft (antidepressant)

  15. SURVEY RESULTSSterling Heights ~ Albuterol (asthma inhaler)

  16. SURVEY RESULTSTraverse City ~ Prevacid (controls acid reflux)

  17. A local Prescription Drug Finder Web site is important and here’s a good example why:

  18. What is your Attorney General doing as a result of the Drug Survey? • Notifying all 26 pharmacies of their allegedly illegal conduct in refusing to provide price information over the phone; • Demanding a written explanation of how pharmacies will ensure consumers who call will be provided price information; • Alerting the Bureau of Health Professions to pharmacies that refused to provide prices; • Price gouging investigations of 17 pharmacies; • Educating the public by releasing a consumer alert; • Making all survey information available at: www.michigan.gov/ag.

  19. Recommendations Governor and Department of Community Health should take drug price information that they already have and make it available on a drug price Web site, including: • All communities (searchable by city and zip code); • All drugs; • Monthly updates.

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