Generic world

[Mogul1]

I haven't seen this addressed before although I'm sure it has been: Generic Drugs.

I was diagnosed about 9 years ago and started out on Ropinirole and Carbidopa/Levodopa 50/200. The C/L was generic. I don't believe I have ever taken Sinemet, the name brand. My neurologist gave me several samples of Azilect probably 6-7 years ago. I didn't take it at first because of a general anti drug attitude on my part. However, my cousin, who also has Parkinson's, came in from out of town to lay some golf and told me that he had started taking Azilect and had received some compliments on how he was doing and also felt his golf game improved. When I heard his golf game improved, I tried it and it worked. 1mg per day in the morning. Last year I picked up my prescription one day and eventually discovered that I was having gastro-intestinal issues which was a disturbing first. I got around to looking at the label on my Azilect prescription and it said rasagoline, probably not spelled right, but it was the generic form of Azilect. When I requested Azilect, which was after many discussions with pharmacist, who was great, by the way, I found out that the pharmacy was getting billed monster bucks for my prescription which to me was a $50.00 copay.

OK. This is beginning to drag so the bottom line is that my regular pharmacy, which I liked, could not supply Azilect to me for the $50.00 and referred me to another, competing pharmacy! I finally got back on Azilect with the$50.00 copay and I am back on track, happily.

So, I am no expert on generics, but it sounds like the name brand Azilect could cost almost anywhere in the $600.00-$900.00 range for 30 (one month's supply). When I asked about the difference between Azilect, the name brand and rasagoline, the generic, I would be assured they were the same medicine, but the pills were made with different fillers. Also, in this case, both are made by Teva. How in the world can they be the same when the name-brand is priced to the moon and the generic is miles less expensive?

I realize this sight is followed on most continents. I am in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. I would really like to receive some insight on what seems to be an enormous impropriety, or rip off!

[MBAnderson]

Mogul, It is a ripoff, but not in impropriety. Probably, your insurance company works through 3rd party that negotiates some discounts, so while they are paying a lot, I doubt they're paying $600 to $900 a month. If you had to pay for it yourself and got a GoodRx coupon, it would be $230 per month. Since you mentioned you're bias against drugs and you live in Washington, you might check out Dr. Laura Mischley who's in your area.

[Mogul1 in reply to MBAnderson]

Thanks a ton MBAnderson. Will do.

[Mogul1 in reply to Mogul1]

I looked up Laurie’s info at her workplace website, and she looked vaguely familiar. Maybe we attended the same yoga conference or something. Saw some other photos but they didn’t look like her. Am I missing something? Has she worked with you? I imagine you have read her book.

[Juliegrace]

It's over $200 for the generic of rasagiline (Azilect) if I don't run it through insurance. If I run it through insurance it's more expensive, which is why I've never taken it.

[park_bear]

Something is very, very wrong here for these two versions to behave so differently. Here is the FDA page for reporting adverse events, which would include an ineffective medication:

fda.gov/safety/medwatch/how...

[Mogul1 in reply to park_bear]

Outstanding! Thank you park_bear.

[jackedmonston]

I have been on roprinerole, C/L generic, and Azilect. Recently my insurance (Medicare Part D) made me switch to Rasagiline. I have not noticed any difference. Prices are so high because Medicare is forbidden by law (thank you lobbyists) from negotiating drug prices. The VA cAN negotiate and pays less.

[pomsmom]

I take azilect and the cost is $944.99 for a 30 month supply - 1 pill taken once a day. fortunately my insurance covers the cost. this is the only pd drug I have taken for the two years I have been dx'd with pd...and I love it (no side effects)

[pomsmom]

oops! that should be a 30 DAY! supply - sorry

[Mogul1 in reply to pomsmom]

Good news! Azilect works well for me too.

[Hidden]

I was prescribed Stalevo 50 by my neurologist. The cost to the NHS is nearly £70 per 100 pills. I have recently decided myself to change to a generic formulation and that only costs about £35 per 100 pills to the NHS. As with all my drugs, the cost to me is zero. There is no difference in the effects of both formulations.

[Mogul1 in reply to Hidden]

I haven’t figured out the reason for the difference in price.

[Hidden in reply to Mogul1]

It is to do with profit and the protected period following the introduction of a new drug.

[Mogul1 in reply to Hidden]

Well it certainly screams profit, unbelievable profit.

Thanks!

[Kattripp]

Seems that not all genetics are equal!

My husband was on c/l by Mylan, which worked great for him.

Our pharmacy switched to the “same” generic from a differ company, and it did not work nearly as well!

Now, I insist that Mylan is only company we will accept and pharmacist notes this in Ken’s file.

He was on Azilect for 3 years, supposed to be “neuro-protective”

but we were told the end-point is the same. Dr was right about that-it seemed to stop working after 3 years.

Thank goodness for High-Dose Thiamine! Has allowed him to stay on the same dosage of c/l without the risk of dyskensia, and with 50+ % improvement in symptoms!

[Mogul1 in reply to Kattripp]

I know exactly what you mean. I was taking Mylan C/L and was switched to another mfg. Took me a little while to discover what happened, but my digestive system was demanding answers. Turns out Mylan had a factory in Puerto Rico that was destroyed by the hurricane. Thus a shortage and the replacement. The difference was clear. Eventually, my Dr switched me to Rytary. That’s another story.