I made it to mid-March this year before I found myself in the
Medicare “Donut Hole.” I know, I am not alone, but it sure sucks.
What makes my blood pressure rise is the cost of generic drugs from different drug stores here in the Valley. Why is there such a tremendous price range for the same drug, such as Fluconazole .
I have been battling chronic valley fever for 6 ½ years. My doctor says, that I need a miracle and I have not given up hope that one might happen to me or someone else. I have been on an azole drug (there are about six brands) for the past 6 ½ years and I take
Fluconazole (which is an excellent drug with the least amount of side effects). The brand name of Fluconazlole is Diflucan. The drug does not cure valley fever. It just stops the fungal parasite from multiplying in the lung. I and many humans and animals need these drugs to survive.
I did a survey back in November 2010 on just the prices of
Fluconazole , the generic drug, to Diflucan. The criteria for getting pricing was a three (3) month supply of 200 mg.- twice a day, which is a total of 180 tablets without any Rx insurance or in the
“Donut Hole.” The cost of this drug at the pharmacies below is what I was quoted.
Osco Drug
Walgreen’s Pharm.
CVS
Target
Prescription Solutions
Wal-Mart
Sam’s Club
Costco
$2,600.00
1,079.79
634.00
226.49
148.22
89.84
75.78
$66.10

So, just how much profit is enough for retail pharmaceutical/drug store companies at the expense of the public?
The pharmaceutical/biological companies are not the ones driving these prices, but the companies we all do business with everyday.
These drug stores are the ones we trust whether their service is excellent, good or poor. There is no remorse or concern for their customers and whether they can or cannot afford their drugs.
That is what happened when we lost the “mom and pop” drug stores.
If Costco can make a profit at $66.10 for a three (3) month supply of Fluconazole, why must Osco, Walgreens and CVS etc. charge so much? Greed is what is destroying this wonderful country of ours. Power, Ego and Greed (PEG) in all walks of business, politics, banking, insurance, medicine, drugs etc. is destroying
America and the American dream. PEG will do to our country, what the terrorist will not be able to accomplish.
If you are an Arizonan without health insurance, Rx insurance or find yourself in the Medicare “Donut Hole” do your homework regarding prescription drugs. Also people who reach their “Donut
Hole ” so fast is because you are being charged the full price of the drug against the “Donut Hole,” so you can reach your full amount almost just on one three month script of Fluconazole at
Osco drug. Ouch!
Pat Curley White
Founder, Arizona Victims of Valley Fever, Inc.
623-584-8331 (please do not print my phone number)

You asked for personal photographs of us who write in, so here is mine.