Here is a link to ClarkHoward, and I sent you a private email.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clarkhoward, my consumer advocate hero

I was told by my eye Dr. to get my prescriptions in Canada. He said he gets all of his meds there and many of his patients do too.

Thanks, I found some good information. If anyone else is interested:

how to tell if pharmacy is legit

verify online pharmacy

Napra

Ms. Weed, I don't have any personal experience with buying meds in Canada, but I would do it if I had to and not blink an eye, as long as I kept in mind, "caveat emptor." In my mind Canada has a much better health system than the US, but maybe I'm being too political here. Prescription drug prices are just ridiculous. I'm a biologist and I've heard all the excuses for the high costs and I'm not buying them.

But the real reason I wanted to add to this post is just to tell you that you are a real "mensch" for helping out your neighbor. That's Yiddish for a truely decent human being.

The great thing about buying online is the meds. would come right to your neighbor's house so the picking up issue would not be there. There is a possibility that she could get a discount through her insurance company for buying online and in three month increments. I know I get somewhat of a discount on my thyroid meds. that way. But that medication is cheap anyway. The problem is when these pharmecutical companies have an exclusive patent on some new drug. I understand a lot of money went into developing the drugs, but I also understand the level of profit Glaxo Smith Klein makes and why they have to make it to survive. But that doesn't bring the greater good for middle income people's health. Like you said, there's help if you are desperately poor, but most people are not in that situation. Instead, they just have to scrape by. I have the same issue with my medications. The doctor gives me heck when I say I don't take this or that medication she prescribes or get this or that test. I tell her to get real. We do what we have to do to get by.

Weed, I just checked your site and the one the Dr mentioned to me is Canada.com and I see it listed as certified. Sad situation in this country when our Pharmaceutical companies can sell drugs to Canada cheap enough that they can turn around and sell them so much cheaper.

You may want to check with her doctor too, because there may be another, less expensive alternative drug he could prescribe. If it is a drug which the drug company has an exclusive patent on, it may not be much cheaper in Canada. Every little bit helps though. But there may be some less expensive treatment. I know my friend who gets migranes couldn't afford Imitrex, but she was able to afford it when her doctor prescribed a double dose pill, which was cheaper. She then cut them in half when she needed to take them. She was able to save enough money that way to afford the drug. That's an example of how your friend might be able to work with her doctor, if the doctor is on the ball, which is a whole other issue.

She is going to ask him if there is a generic equivalent, which I believe there is. She was also willing to let me do the Canada thing if needed. She doesn't have a credit card, so I will have to find out if they will let me use mine.

In talking to her further, she only pays that much when her prescription limit is reached, typically around this time of year. I was relieved to learn that she only pays $38 otherwise. She is on two other medications, so I imagine she is spending $300 - $400 a month once the prescription limit tops out. She has a very good friend who is helping way more than I am -- between the two of us I'm certain we can figure some things out regarding this and other issues.

I feel so badly for both of them. Her husband is not getting better, and has been moved to another rehab facility. She will also have to move - they have assisted living at the same place. It's good they can be more or less together, but so sad that they have to give up their home.

Great that she has help. I think a lot of these problems can be fixed if you are willing to be the squeaky wheel when dealing with doctors, pharmacies, pharmeceutical companies, and insurance companies. But in my experience, a lot of older people just don't do it. I know my mom doesn't ask any questions or investigate anything. She doesn't even really take the time to understand what her doctor is telling her. Who knows why she does this, she's a well educated woman with a masters degree. Maybe it's too overwhelming when you get old or just denial. She just suffers in silence rather than press to get the help or proper treatment she needs. That's why I'm trying pretty hard to move back to MI so I can keep better track of what's going on with the folks.

I haven't had a chance to read all the emails, but some pharmaceutical companies will work directly with elderly (or low income/fixed income) patients to reduce out of pocket expense. If you know who the companies are that make her drugs you should be able to find these programs. For example...

I typed in Pfizer Drug Assistance in Google and got this
http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx

Pfizer Drug Assistance

Thought I would update with "good" news. I took my neighbor to the rehab place today to visit her husband. It's really quite nice, lots of windows, beautiful grounds, and what seems like a good staff. The residents there ranged from ambulatory to severely impaired, but seemed well taken care of. I remember going to visit my grandpa when he was in one of those places, and it was depressing, smelly, and dark.

My neighbor had to hire someone to watch her husband 24/7, because he needs assistance, and also wanders. The woman there today was really nice and caring. All she is paid to do is sit with him and make sure he doesn't wander off, but she did more than that, quite caring and it didn't seem fake. (can you tell I don't trust people sometimes? :)

Next week I'm going to take Daisy with me. Jim was my dog letter-outer, and he would love to see her, and she him. I know the other residents would love to see her too. She is a cute little (devil) beagle, and very social.

Their good friend who is helping has found a place that will take both of them. Jim will be in the locked facility since he wanders, and Florence will be in the next building in assisted living. They will take her to see Jim whenever she wants - via golf cart. I love that :)

When their money runs out, they will be reclassified as "medicaid beds", and will be able to stay. As terrible as this is for them, I feel that things will work out ok.