Ever since Sue Whitehead lost her job and medical benefits a year ago, this diabetic has been overwhelmed by the cost of her insulin and other prescription drugs.
"I've been having a lot of trouble making all my bills and buying all my prescriptions because my prescriptions have been running with this and some others that I have, about $500 a month!," said Whitehead.
Today she's among the first to switch to a newly opened low cost pharmacy at the non-profit ReGenesis Health Care based out of Spartanburg. Each vial of the drug Lantus used to cost her about 115 dollars.
"And they just charged me $54 for 2 of them, big difference!" she said.
"We get state and federal funding through grants and private foundation grants, so because of that we're able to offer a more reasonably priced prescription plan," said Ellen Hamrick with ReGenesis.
She says anyone can become a patient regardless of your finances or healthcare provider.
ReGenesis admits that not all the drugs sold in this pharmacy are the cheapest in the area. People with premium healthcare coverage can get a drug like Amoxicillian for free at other pharmacies, but here it's still pretty cheap at $3.75.
Another drawback, right now you have to be a ReGenesis patient in order to use the pharmacy. So if you can't make the switch, there's another online option that could save you money.
BidRX.com is a new auction website where you can submit your prescription for electronic bid and get instant price quotes from independent pharmacies. You'll also get a list of generic alternatives. But check with your Doctor before choosing an alternate.
Whitehead is relieved her switch is saving her at least $200 a month.
"Now I can afford to be diabetic," said laughing.
...The change adding a little levity, to what's been a year of many struggles.
(Whitehead has a background in Information Technology Support. She can be reached at: suewhitehead@bellsouth.net)
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