I just posted this review on TrustPilot.com, and thought I'd share it here:
BioPlus is predatory! But they come across as Saviors. Here’s why:
I am prescribed Abiraterone, Brand = Zytiga. My doctor was thrilled that under some program I was given “free” Abiraterone. And I was! Fast forward to month #4: “Your grant has ended, but no matter, the copay is only $495/month, and not to worry because after you spend $2000 on Medicare the rest is free.
It doesn’t sound predatory, but it IS. Let’s say that I believed them and paid 4 months ($2000) then my total “year” cost for this med is a “mere” $2,000. Ah, but wait: At Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Pharmacy my script would cost me $97/month. Well, $97 x 12 = $1164. (same quantity 60x500mg) But, if I had fallen for the BioPlus bait and switch, I would have paid them $2,000. So, BioPlus profits a whopping $836 MORE than if I just paid for it all, out-of-pocket, for the year.
This seems like a true, predatory classic, bait & switch.
Now, you might say: Well, they are selling you the Branded product, NOPE:
This is what is on my bottle. "N Yugen" and this from AI:
“"N Yugen" refers to Novugen Pharma, a manufacturer of generic abiraterone acetate tablets. Based on the information available, Novugen's abiraterone acetate is marketed as a generic equivalent to the brand-name drugs like Zytiga® and Yonsa®35. Therefore, if your bottle states "N Yugen," it is a generic version of abiraterone acetate and not a branded product.”
Use them if the numbers work out but beware!
Search and search hard! Today, using GoodRx the cost for 60x50 500mg = $734
Today costplusdrugs, 60 tabs x 500mg = $97
Last month, GoodRx had these for about $120! Beware of the Bait and Switch, and BTW, “welcome to America” (America’s strange medical system).
I may soon be one of those cutting the 500mg in half, and taking it with a low-fat meal!
Just creepy.
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Spinel_Cutter
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Was quoted $3,600- $3,200 for monthly Orgovyx at Costco, Local specialty pharmacy, then found out of USA for $560. Now what the “F” ? Is going on other than $&#% CEO’s , VP global sales, marketing agencies pushing these jingled brands on every possible media platform other than to make a fast calculated buck $ on the backs of already stressed out good folks burdened with cancer trying live.
The USA has its own cancer as a whole; glorifying greed.
Pretty much this goes on in education, housing, the military, energy- but when it comes to making $$$ of the sick it shows how far down the rabbit hole we’ve gone.
I’ve seen and run the numbers on med programs like you mention and agree with your numbers and applaud you for calling this ugly practice out.
Great docs, oncologist, radiologist tech, nurses but big pharma owns us.
In many states this type of practice could /should fall under “elder abuse” and be criminal. Many of you on this blog live in other countries and probably think these statements are so wild to be almost not factual or at best sensationalized. But many do understand this and must either be amazed at the disparity between healthcare/med options in the USA or be laughing at us; it’s that bad.
Thanks again Spinal C for calling it as you see it,
There is a lot here. I was quoted an outrageous monthly number ($3400/month, maybe) for Xtandi and was told: “We’ll see what the insurance company comes back with.” After they chipped in, the price was “only” $1200/month. Now, they said, let’s see if we can get a grant. I applied for the grant and ended up getting it for “free” until my grant ran out. I applied again and was approved, and had to apply again for the last few months. In the end, paid my deductibles and co-pays.
As you can imagine, each one of those decision points was hugely stressful. Will I have to spend down my life savings so that I can stay alive? Why is there no competition for a drug that is part of a standard of care for a common type of cancer? Why does my insurance company require me to use a specialty pharmacy that charges an arm and a leg? What happens to people who don’t have insurance or who can’t afford the out of pocket costs?
Needless to say, I am grateful to have successfully navigated those waters with the help of some nice nurse chemo coordinators. And I am grateful to have gotten what I believe to be good medical care and still be alive and kicking.
But this was a real eyeopener for me about the way that the US medical system works and the likely disparate outcomes between the haves and have nots. Interestingly, the US is the only developed country with hat does not believe that access to health care is a human right. And I believe a lot of that comes down to excellent lobbyists that have cultivated a for-profit system that generally focuses on treatment of illness over prevention - and is always looking for new ways to monetize the American people.
Scritptco.com beats Mark Cuban, but Scripto has an annual fee. Perhaps admin might consider a dedicated thread where folk that found a good price could enlighten others.
Have your T level tested with 1000mg no food and 250 mg with low fat breakfast. Mine is undetectable. I take 250 with food most days but if I want to have a larger breakfast with the guys I take 1000mg as soon as I awake. I get my abi free via a grant but I still don’t take more pills than needed. It’s not always about the money.
my experience with BioPlus has been quite the opposite…..I’ve been on abiraterone for 1 year with no copay and they have been nothing but professional……your story is upsetting and I’ll have to keep a closer watch in consideration.
I have to agree with Tommyj2, my Rx provider was purchased by BioPlus in Sept of last year. Since then I have seen no change in the service or professionalism of their staff, and my out of pocket has remained the same ($7.90 for a 30 day supply @ 250mg). I guess I should consider my self really Blessed...
Please do keep in mind, that I have no complaint with BioPlus. It's really hard to tease out if there's scam'ish activity. They were very professional, very timely. My issue is any company that is selling generic Abiraterone with a co-pay such that the total cost is over $120 a month.
They switched from zero to "a co-pay of $450/month. Yet the product is clearly generic. Heck they could go buy it from Mark Cuban for less than $100 and resell it for $150. So, why sell what can be bought for less than $100 with a "co-pay" of $450.
Long ago, decades, I signed up for this program to assist those whose credit or income was low, to buy a new car. This place had classes on how to be economically savvy, and the teacher said: "I expect you to do your work." I wanted a Honda Civic and they offered me a price. I "did the work," and went to every dealer within 60 miles and found one for $1200 less and then went back, thinking I'd get praise. I did not, "how dare" I circumvent them. That was my very first "soft scam." They were marking up and pocketing that extra $1200 (even though they were a non-profit (another discussion like how the CEO of Red Cross received "received a total compensation of $832,241," in 2021)). Non-profit, my backside.
BioPlus was great, some entity gave me a $2,000 "grant." They filled the first 4 months for free. But, again, after that their copay was $450 for a med that you or I can buy for $89 to $120. Thus my accusation is "soft-scam." They may be a great company, but in this case, I really must wonder. Bus78 had a co-pay of $7.90, so why was I being charged a co-pay of $490 for obvious generic. Note: Buz78 gets 250x4/day. I got 500x2/day there can be a huge discrepancy between 250x4 per day and 500x 2/day. But WHY? Why did BioPlus just not say: "We much charge you a co-pay of $450/month but if your doc writes a script for 250x4/day, the co-pay will only be $7.90.
"...something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (Shakespeare) and something is rotten in America to have this occur. Just do the math, and do the legwork. "Trust everybody, but cut the deck!
Capitalism run wild. Drug cost is one of many reasons the United States of America comes in 36th for World standards in Healthcare.It's all about the money! Very sad.
The search for affordable abiraterone was unpleasant. Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid were outrageously expensive. I was going to use Cost Plus, but then my insurance company (Blue Shield CA)came through and connected me with Lumicera pharmacy for $35/mo. It’s been great so far.
Lucimera has a so so rating in google: "Lumicera Health Services, 310 Integrity Dr, Madison, WI. 2.8/5 stars. I wonder about your words, "...so far." Complaints include mostly co-pay issues, and delivery issues. Update us in 6 months with your opinion, please. Also realize that the usual dose is 1,000 mg/day in a singe dose. That could be 2 @ 500mg, but it also can be 4@250 milligrams. I have seen the 250's much cheaper than the 500. Best of luck, and congrats.
From AI:
"Lumicera Health Services, in partnership with CivicaScript, offers abiraterone acetate (a generic version of Zytiga) for $160 per bottle of 120 tablets (a month's supply), with a suggested maximum retail price of $171.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Lumicera and Abiraterone:
Lumicera Health Services, a specialty pharmacy, is now offering abiraterone acetate, the first landmark drug from CivicaScript.
CivicaScript's Role:
CivicaScript is a company focused on lowering the cost of high-cost generic medicines, and they are offering abiraterone acetate to pharmacies.
Cost:
CivicaScript sells abiraterone acetate to pharmacies for $160 per bottle (120 tablets, a month's supply).
Suggested Retail Price:
CivicaScript recommends that pharmacies charge no more than $171 per bottle (their maximum retail price)."
I could not find a way to actually buy from them, online.
I can get you in. Usually it's $500 or a one-ounce bar of gold, virtual, of course, or...... send me $100 via Western Union and I'll send you back a golden pass, I promise...you can trust me... I'm really St. Peter, in disguise, after I receive your $500 I'll have a lesser angel deliver it to you.
Does this calculation take into account that the $2,000 Medicare Co-Pay includes other drugs (e.g. Metformin, Atorvastatin, etc) that you might be taking? I don't know if this affects the calculation or not, so am just asking, thinking it might make a difference.
Each person must calculate for themselves. But using GoodRx, both Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Metformin (1 gram/day) cost per month = $3 to 10. (Go and see: GoodRx.com) If they are charging you a big co-pay, consider just paying cash, if it works out for you. Why pay $100 co-pay when you could dip into your pocket and pay $3 or $10. United Healthcare does this to me, simply another form of crookedness.
BioPlus was Oh so ready to extract $450/month "co-pay" from me, even while filling Buz98 (see above) his prescription for $7.98 per month. Essentially pocketing about $440/month. Think about that--but I "caught" them, I suspect that thousands do not, imagine 1,000 men, filling presciptions at $450 (as some obviously do, while others get them filled for $7.98) the difference is $442,000!
Buz98 wrote: "I have to agree with Tommyj2, my Rx provider was purchased by BioPlus in Sept of last year. Since then I have seen no change in the service or professionalism of their staff, and my out of pocket has remained the same ($7.90 for a 30 day supply @ 250mg)."
Clearly there's real "oddness," here and I believe the 500mg tabs are crazy expensive, while the 250's are dirt cheap. Now, some would say: "Well, they did not have to say: 'hey, ask your doc for 4 x 250, and we'll only charge you $7.90.'" Well, I say, for them NOT do do that is, if not criminal, sleazy beyond belief.
But yes, let's say you take 2 meds, and one does have a $500 co-pay. Well, you pay for 4 months, and then no more for the year. But, with BioPlus raking in that $500 when $7.90 will do the trick.... oh my.😜
Don't get me wrong though. I am thrilled to have access to Orgovyx + Abiraterone, and thrilled to have the coverage that I have.
Ok, many things to unpack here. If you are not on Medicare you are open to all discount programs. Once you go on Medicare then you can only use Medicare approved programs. Mark Cuban's, CostPlus Pharmacy is not using your insurance (Medicare or otherwise to process the prescription). ---- I started Abiraterone prior to going on Medicare and was approved from my pharmacy to a program that paid all of the cost except for $10 shipping every time it was sent (Onco360). When I went on Medicare the discount program was not allowed. Again, asked the pharmacy and immediately they sent paperwork for a Medicare assistance program. Approved for 1 year, which was longer than I needed until my planned ending of Abiraterone after 2 years. --- It is important to know that Medicare, Medicaid and such have all kinds of (stupid in my opinion) rules and regulations. Communicating with all parties - doctors, pharmacy, manufacturer - will help you coordinate and get into the right program. As well, generic is just as effective as "Brand Name" as per FDA regulations and patent expiration regulations. ---- Prescription medicine is a mine field on many levels. It is interesting even when comparing between countries; laws, regulations, pricing, patent law, and approvals vary so broadly it is mind boggling. It is always in your best interest to check out everything and talk to everyone in between.
Well said! And how very interesting that today, I see a bill for my "share of co-pay" of this month's Abiraterone of $215. (The "grant" had about $300 left."
So, I call United Health Care and said: "I made it clear to BioPlus to never sent any med unless it's free.
So, the UHC rep calls BioPlus, and to make it short, somehow...like magic, I'm being shipped my Abiraterone for free.
So weird.
Chefjlu, what I don't get is that you seem to say that I am "forbidden," to buy from Mark Cuban. Yet, over and over, I do buy from CVS, or from Hanneford Pharmacies by not involving my Medicare insurance and simply paying out-of-pocket. So it may be that, as you wrote: "Once you go on Medicare then you can only use Medicare approved programs." Then, you cannot go outside that with your Medicare insurance, but it seems that you CAN go outside that if you pay by not invoking the insurance.
I take Celecoxib for arthritis, my Medicare Advantage co-pay is more than what it costs out of pocket at CVS, so I simply buy it there.
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