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I cannot afford either one of them and I am asking the doctor if there is another drug that I can take in their place. He has given me samples for the last three months but it’s getting to the point where I do not want to ask for samples but I cannot afford to buy the drug.

Ranexa cost $428 a month from Walmart. I can imagine how much it costs from another pharmacy. I cannot and I will not pay these prices. The ball is in his court and now I await his answer. What happens when you tell them that you cannot take a drug that is so expensive? Obviously they don’t want any legal action so they will suggest something else. Right? Well I hope so.

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As I wrote here earlier, the stats on drug company influence on prescribing behaviours are troubling (e.g. “Favorable change in a doctor’s prescribing habits after less than 1 minute with a drug company sales rep: 16%; Prescribing change seen after 3 minutes with a sales rep: 52%.” )

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In discussing two of the symptoms I experienced with my migraines, my neurologist suggested a “new drug,” which was simply two drugs combined into a single drug, long available in generic form.
“I have some free samples if you’d like to try it.”

The new drug was, of course, only available with a brand name price tag. I replied that I couldn’t see the point in that medication for the reasons I just stated here. He said “okay” and that was that. I’m sure he would have written a prescription for it when I ran out.

Newly out of school, too, is my neuro. I wonder if he’d be offended if I sent him the online article you’ve written here, Carolyn. Can’t send him my comments. Too much fear of a backlash.

I think, too, if he read the article, he’d also be one to say, “Not me. I don’t rx drugs just because someone gave me free samples.”

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In most instances the person will stay on that medication so hence it generates big dollars for pharma. It is good marketing.

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