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The cost of drugs is important to consumers…

Find the cost of prescription drugs in your area and save money by comparison shopping. Report violations to the Bureau of Health Professions.

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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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