By Network Health pharmacy team
Originally published on 12/29/2021 at 1:30 p.m.
Continuing our series on the social determinants of health, we’re looking at one of the most significant factors in health care and one that has become a lightning rod for medical discourse – the cost of medication.
The ability to afford prescription medication costs is a factor that can lead to the successful management of chronic health conditions. At the same time, the inability to afford prescription medications can lead to disease progression, complications and an overall reduction in quality and quantity of life. In addition, as diseases progress, the need for more and potentially higher-cost medication increases.
At Network Health, we want our members to afford their needed prescription medications to live their happiest and healthiest life. Network Health is creating a compilation of articles for members that contain tips and tricks to controlling medication costs.
By Beth Coopman PharmD., pharmacist at Network Health
With medication costs being a significant barrier of care for some, finding ways to reduce them is important. Here are some ways to get the most out of your health plan and leverage your benefits to help reduce prescription drug costs.
By Beth Coopman PharmD., pharmacist at Network Health
Did you know the main difference between a generic drug and a brand name drug is the price? Why the huge price difference? A Nielson estimate explains drug companies spent approximately $5.2 billion in 2015 advertising brand medications directly to consumers through TV, digital ads and written media. Costs for brand name products are also increased by providing free samples for prescribers to start patients on the brand medication and the availability of regional drug representatives who promote and educate practitioners about the brand name products. Research and development (R&D) is another area that increases costs for brand-name drug companies.
All generic drugs approved by the FDA have the same high quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs. Tablet fillers, binders or dyes make up inactive ingredients of pills and are the only components that can be different between a brand and generic drug.
Some drug manufacturers make both brand and generic versions at the same facility. The pharmacy staff here at Network Health researches and educates our members when this occurs so the generic made by the brand manufacturer can be trialed when there are sensitivities to other generic manufacturers.
Generic medications bring competition to the market which drives prices down. Generally, having more generic manufacturers in the market lowers medication costs. Without the billions spent on advertising, drug samples, R&D and coupon cards, generics do not have the overhead that consumers pay for with brand name medications.
Below is a table comparing the drastically different costs of brand name medications and their generic equivalent. Notice some of the newer generics have less of a price difference but as more manufacturers produce the newly available generic the overall generic price drops more noticeably from the brand name price.
Brand Name |
Brand Cost* |
Generic Name |
Generic Cost* |
Abilify 20mg |
$1,000 |
Aripiprazole |
$30 |
Adderall 20mg |
$430 |
Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine |
$35 |
Advair 250/50 Diskus |
$400 |
Fluticasone/Salmeterol |
$200 |
Amitiza 24MCG |
$370 |
Lubiprostone |
$320 |
Lyrica 75mg |
$500 |
Pregabalin |
$25 |
NuvaRing |
$153 |
Eluryng |
$130 |
Travatan Z Eye Drops |
$200 |
Travoprost |
$130 |
Vascepa 1 GRAM |
$340 |
Icosapent Ethyl |
$300 |
Zytiga 500mg |
$11,000 |
Abiraterone |
$9,000** |
*Estimated monthly prices for brand and generic medications.
**Note: Using #4 of the 250mg generic tablets is the best value at $6600
Educate yourself to be an informed consumer. Know how choices impact plan costs and periodically ask your doctor or pharmacist about cost and alternatives for prescriptions because opportunities change over time.
Your Network Health pharmacist is available to help answer your medication-related questions. Email pharmacist@networkhealth.com or call pharmacists Gary, Beth, Sarah and Anna at 920-720-1287 (888-6651246) Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with medication-related questions.
By Anna Peterson Sanders PharmD., pharmacist at Network Health
Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma can be a financial burden for many people. However, chronic therapy is vital in maintaining one’s health, delaying the progression of the disease and preventing costly emergency room visits or hospitalizations. Within the past couple of years, generic inhaler options have become available, providing patients with lower-cost options. While three generic combination inhalers (comprised of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist) are now listed on the Medicare and Commercial formulary, they vary widely in ingredient cost. For many of our members, choosing an inhaler regimen based on both tier placement and ingredient cost can save them in the long run.
Below are a few key takeaways regarding generic inhalers.
Medication |
Strength (potency) |
Ingredient Cost* |
Commercial Tier |
Medicare Tier |
Fluticasone-Salmeterol (generic for AirDuo RespiClick) |
55-14 mcg (low) |
$90 |
1 (Generic) |
|
113-14 mcg (medium) |
$90 |
2 |
||
232-14 mcg (high) |
$90 |
|
||
Fluticasone-Salmeterol diskus (generic for Advair Diskus) |
100-50 mcg (low) |
$160 |
1 (Generic) |
|
250-50 mcg (medium) |
$200 |
2 |
||
500-50 mcg (high) |
$250 |
|
||
Wixela (generic for Advair Diskus) |
100-50 mcg (low) |
$160 |
1 (Generic) |
|
250-50 mcg (medium) |
$200 |
2 |
||
500-50 mcg (high) |
$250 |
|
||
Advair HFA |
45-21 mcg (low) |
$325 |
2 (Brand drug) |
|
115-21 mcg (medium) |
$395 |
3 |
||
230-21 mcg (high) |
$520 |
|
||
Advair Diskus |
100-50 mcg (low) |
$310 |
2 (Brand drug) |
|
250-50 mcg (medium) |
$400 |
4** |
||
500-50 mcg (high) |
$520 |
|
||
AirDuo RespiClick |
55-14 mcg (low) |
$350 |
3 (Non-preferred drug) |
|
113-14 mcg (medium) |
$350 |
4** |
||
232-14 mcg (high) |
$350 |
|
*Estimated monthly prices for brand and generic medications using claims data.
**Non-formulary on the NetworkCares Medicare Advantage Plan
Be sure to check your formulary at networkhealth.com “Look Up Medications” for coverage if other inhalers are prescribed for asthma or COPD. Many inhalers have similar active ingredients so ask your physician about prescribing a more affordable but equally effective inhaler.
Your Network Health pharmacist is available to help answer your medication-related questions.
Email pharmacist@networkhealth.com or call pharmacists Gary, Beth, Sarah and Anna at 920-720-1287 (888-6651246) Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with medication-related questions.
By Anna Peterson Sanders PharmD., pharmacist at Network Health
Injectable medications are expensive. Many people often wonder about ways to save money when an injectable medication is necessary for medicinal therapy.
For medications that are infused intravenously (IV), getting care at home can save money, improve convenience and utilize specially trained nurses who have experience giving people infusions every day.
Home care infusion nurses provide one-on-one infusion care in the convenience and comfort of your own home, limiting your exposure to other people and environments.
For other non-IV injectable medications, as additional safety data becomes available, you may see medications that were previously only injected at a doctor's office move to self-administration at home, which also can save money and improve convenience.
Some examples of medications that were previously only injected at a doctor’s office that are now available for self-administration at home are Actemra, Benlysta, Cimzia, Dupixent, Fasenra, Hemlibra, Nucala, Orencia, Xolair and others. The list of medications available for self-administration at home is periodically updated so check with your prescriber if your injectable medication is included. Many advantages can be seen with self-administration:
Injectable medications, often classified as specialty medications, can be obtained through the following channels based on your type of Network Health plan.
If you are interested in pursuing lower cost and convenient home administration of your injectable drug, ask your provider about your options. Network Health strives to deliver convenience, safety and value to our members.
By Anna Peterson Sanders PharmD., pharmacist at Network Health
Prices for diabetes medication have been skyrocketing, leading many consumers to face the difficult decision of whether they can afford their monthly medications.
Studies show that high medication costs can lead to poor adherence, like skipping or rationing doses. When it comes to diabetes medications like insulin, poor adherence may lead to long-term complications, hospitalization or even death.
When the stakes of not using the medication are high, but so is the price, what should you do? Consider the suggestions below, and if you are still struggling, please reach out to Network Health for help.
Medication Costs of Common Insulins
Medication |
Strength |
Quantity |
Ingredient cost* |
Basaglar Kwikpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$300 |
Lantus SoloStar |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$400 |
Levemir Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$450 |
Tresiba Flextouch |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$500 |
Novolog Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$550 |
Novolog |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$280 |
Insulin Aspart (generic Novolog) Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
ReliOn Brand Novolog |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$73 |
ReliOn Brand Novolog Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$86 |
Novolog 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$550 |
Insulin Aspart Protamine- Aspart 70/30 (generic Novolog 70/30) Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
Novolin N |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$135 |
Novolin N Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
Novolin R |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$135 |
Novolin R Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
Novolin 70/30 |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$135 |
Novolin 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin N |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$26 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin N Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$43 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin R |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$26 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin R Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$43 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin 70/30 |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$26 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$43 |
* Ingredient cost estimated from claims data. Price subject to change.
While prescription drugs may seem unaffordable, the above resources exist to help you get the medicine you need and overcome a significant social determinant of health.
For more information, contact us today.
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