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Financial
Assistance for Plavix and Other Prescription Drugs (2011)
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Archived Postings on This Page (120):
• Re: VERIFYNOW : The following casts some doubt about the testing. Is there there any other info out there that suggests otherwise? If the test is not reliable, then some will be steered away from Plavix or aspirin incorrectly. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18520610 • born 4-21-68 have had 6 heart attacks no insurance has not had Plavix in 2 months (no monies ) now on Christmas in hospital with last • It should be noted that people who are on Medicare are not eligible for the patient assistance program from Lilly. They claim it is because you are eligible to purchase a Medicare Part D plan to help with drugs (even though that itself is cost prohibitive for most people on Medicare). Most doctor offices provide you with your supply of Effient/Plavix. Plavix's generic will be out in May 2012. • My name is Mark Anthony Branch. I am a 38 year old male with a potentially deadly heart disease. But i don't have any insurance and unable to work. I take 3 heart meds and i can't afford to pay for them. Is their any assistance for this problem? We as heart patients need to help one another. Because the people that makes this drug. That is designed to help us stay alive, is going to kills us if we cant afford it. So please help me help us Stay alive. If you are by chance reading this then you care about not just you but your family. Lets start the movement today. Email me at mightymark0072003@yahoo.com and lets find help together. • I have used pparx.org website to apply for various drugs. Most companies do not let you have any/or medicare ins. The only one to help me was Astra Zeneca This site provides you with the forms for each drug covered and income limits. They are fairly high 1 person $31,000 2 people about $43,000. As I said because I have insurance (with very high deductibles)I did not qualify except for A/Z meds. they are great. Contact pparx.org • PLAVIX - I've been taking a foreign version (Clopidogrel) I get from out of the country. It costs me $176 per year for a daily 75mg dose. I was concerned over the effectiveness so I got a blood test - to test that the foreign "Plavix" is doing what it should be doing. The blood test is called VERIFY NOW - which is relatively new - but it gave me, my physician and neurologist comfort. BTW - both my neurologist and physician had been unaware of the VerifyNow test - it is new. I have had two strokes and recently a mild heart attack. I found this site while doing research for a Fractional Flow Reserve test - which I need to have. I hope this information may help someone. • Been taking Plavix for a year after heart attack. Have medicaid disability but my spend-down is 1400 o month. Need help paying for Plavix . • According to an internet post the patent for Plavix runs out in May 2012. Doesn't help you folks now but thankfully it will be in just shy of 6 months. Thank the Lord! Hang on. In the meantime still try to get the manufacturer to give it to you free. God Bless you all.
• It is free to contact the manufacturer of any prescription medication and apply for a patient assistance program. You should never have to pay anyone to do that for you! I have worked in the medical field for 10 years and have helped patients for free do this. I also help my grandparents, it only takes a little bit of time. For Plavix you contact Bristol-Myers Squibb their number is 800-736-0003 or you can go to their website at www.bmspaf.org. They don't have an income requirement listed, some of the other companies are a household of 2 making less than $40,000 qualify. They also have programs for patients that are on medicare that are in their donut hole, I get this medication for my grandfather who has medicare and a part D but reaches his donut hole pretty quick in the year and can't afford the $200 a month. I believe once you reach 3% of your annual income on medication they will give you the drug for free. I am willing to help anyone who needs help or advice with getting patient assistance meds from the manufacturer. I am a nursing student and helping patients is my passion...YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR FREE HELP!
• My brother, Dave, lives in Oceanside, CA, had a bad stroke on November 17, 2009, has been taking Plavix. He has been getting $ / month, & pays $ / month for rent. The drs have told him he will not live very long with-out his daily dose of your "PLAVIX," He is a great big brother, and a wonderful great-uncle, & he cannot afford the live-saving drug you manufacture!!!!! Can you please help a disabled uncle get the medicine he needs?? He is important to so many!!! Thank-you for your generosity!! • I just lost my job and have no insurance. When I went to pharmacy they said that will be $400.00 for my cymbalta for 60 pills and I said I lost my job and I cant afford to pay that. I got very depressed when i left the pharmacy and i remembered i saw a ad on TV about not being able to afford your meds. I take 2 capsules 60 mg i will not be able to cope with everyday life. I know i can't go without because i ended up in the hospital due to missing 2 pills. Depression runs in my family. I hope and pray someone can help me please. • I would like to receive a card for a 30 day supply of Effient. I can not afford to pay the $191. Thank you very much • hi my father recently had a heart attack and had a stent put in. Well he can pay the monthly bill for a stent but we got the hospital bill last week. My father has no medical insurance and the bill was $120,000. We tried to get medical or medicare which ever it is but we have too many cars.. Well I'm only 16 and my father is only 42. I'll do anything to help him or raise money but there is no way we can afford that much. We are gonna end up losing everything. If anyone knows anyone who could help out even a tiny bit it'd mean the world. • i am on diazapam 10mg 1tablet 3 times a day. also on rivotril 2mg at night. pharmapressco 20mg twice a day. i can pay with internet banking every month end. how much will it cost me every month?
• My doctor prescribed Effient for me and i can not afford the 191.00 per month. Is there any way I can get some help from your company? Thank You Steve Garner • Hello my name is Catherine, I need the drug called Vimpat [Lacosamide] it is very expensive.. I live on social security.. and can't afford this medication.. What are my options?.. • I've Have had a Heart attack. I had 8 blocks and had a 5 way Bypass then 4 of the bypass went bad after 3 months, They took me back and put 3 Stents in, than again they in 3 more months they also went bad so they put 1 more stent in so all I have is 1 Stent and I Artery working, I could Die at anytime. I am on Imdur, Plavix, Altace, Ranexa, Pantoprazole, Mobic, Crestor, I am in the donut hole have been since July .My Medicine runs me around 900.$ a month. I can't afford it. I live on a fixed Income. Please help me. For I cannot Afford it anymore, so I'M going to have to do with out a lot of my Medicines. I don't wand to die right away. PLEASE HELP. • I can not afford one of my heart pills and my experimental insulins. I am allergic to insulin, Johns' Hopkins have been helping me but I lost my job and I can not afford to go there anymore. What do I do? My blood sugar stays at 400-595 everyday. • All major drug companies have patient assistance programs that can assist you when you do not have insurance. You simply go to their website and answer a few questions, send in the information requested, and they get back to you with an answer. • I go without my heart meds until I can save enough money to get what I can as often as I can. I won't go to the doctor regular because I can't afford that either and I am ashamed to tell him why the lab test come back out of whack, which is because I can't afford to take my meds on a regular basis. I feel for the ones that can't afford meds for themselves much less their children. I never thought I would have to Lord knows and we are put in that position for a reason.
• This is a sham. People who can't afford to buy
their medicines because
of rising costs, apply to web sites that offer "Get medicine free ". Then, after
you give all of your information, they want you to pay a one time fee. How much
is this fee? I didn't even see where it indicated the amount. If people can't
afford their medicine, how can they afford a fee? • My name is herbert and i have a few stents implants
and cannot afford to pay for plavix,i am very worried because i haven't
taken any in a while,i would really like to know if i could get some
help with my plavix meds...please my monthly cost for plavix is $200 monthly
would like to get in touch with any one who can give me some info on
getting
help with my plavix medication. • I am on a similar drug called Effient. My doctor
prescribed it because he said in research it shows it does better with
younger patients with stents.
( I am under 50). My dad takes Plavix and I found out from my pharmacist that
Plavix's patent will soon expire, making it open to having generic status,
meaning it will no longer cost about @200 a month! It will be more like
$4-$12 per month.
I hope that is true. • I have already had 2 MI,s and a stroke. i'm in
the doughnut hole with my medicare. have been for 2 months and cannot
afford my plavix. havent had it for 2 months now. i have 60% blockages
in my neck
and worried. please tell me what i can do to get my medication. i am
only 49 years old and dont want to die. I'm already paying over 500.00
for meds
besides this one. please help me. • My husband and I are trying to find some
financial help to allow us to build a facility for homeless and disabled
veterans. We are also
concerned
for those who have no insurance for prescription drugs. The following
link will show you how to save up to 90% (50 to 60 is more realistic) and
will
save one a lot on certain expensive tests. See www.trihopenetbernicehoefer.com
This is a free card with no hidden fees, surprises, etc. Also, if you
know someone who would like to be a financial donor for our project please
suggest
they write to Bernice Hoefer at e-mail bvston56@aol.com or call me at
405-607-8488. We will not accept ANY money until we show proof of our facility;
however,
we will be very pleased to set up an escrow account at our bank and when
we have all the legal details in order, such as a Board of Directors
and Sponsors, we will work with the bank in the usual manner for the building
project. Donors will receive a letter from the Bank before donating if
the donor will let us know his/her intentions.
• To J. Rohde,
Pearland,
Texas,
USA, August 3, 2011 You can have your doctor write a 3 month prescription,
then go to Blue Sky Pharmacy on the internet. I had to do this once. It cost
us 160-180
for three months. The prescription comes from Canada and they cap what the companies
can charge you, but it is ACTUAL Plavix, no generic....good
luck! • hello i have had a heart attack in
may and have some medicine that i ave to buy but i don't have the money
so
can someone help leave your name and number and can give you a call
thank you
• I have recently lost my job and of course,
my insurance. I am currently drawing unemployment but how can one live
and still afford Plavix 75 mg every
month. I had a stent place in my rca in 2011 and i need some assistance asap.
What will happen to me if i cant afford this medication?? HELP ME PLEASE!!! • My insurance was just canceled and I am
on several meds for my heart. I don't know what to do? The Plavix alone
costs over $200. a month. I need help!
If you can help me. Thank You • HELLO MY NAME IS ROBERT. I AM RETIRED
AND LIVE IN SUN CITY AZ. I AM A RETIRED CUSTODIAN ON A SMALL PENSION.
MY WIFE IS A RETIRED COOK ON A SMALL
PENSION. WE ARE ON SS. I WAS PAYING $110.00 FOR 90 DAYS AND I JUST COULD MAKE
IT. NOW IT IS $252.00 I GUESS BECAUSE I HIT THE LIMIT ON INSURANCE. WITHOUT
HELP I WILL HAVE TO START TAKING A HALF IF I CAN NOT GET HELP. THANKS. • Does anyone know when the Plavix patent
runs out? I thought it was November 2011. If so, how soon will a generic
be available? • Ask the pharmacy if the drug co that makes
this med has a program for indigents?Go on line and find out who makes
Plavix and search how to contact
the company directly for help Good luck • In May of this year my husband was laid
off and we in turn lost our health insurance. He has been taking Lipitor
and we were no longer going to be able to afford it so I took to the
internet hoping to find a solution. After exploring many sites that
claimed to be reputable I was ready to give up, but I think I may have
stumbled
across a company that's going to help us get through this (hopefully)
short spell of unemployment. It's called Allied Healthcare Partners.com.
Has anyone else had any experience with this site? So far so good for
us but have only been using them for a short amount of time. Might
be worth a look and would love to hear about anyone else's experiences • I had a quad by pass valve replacement
at the same time now I am on Plavix, but can not afford to pay 126.00
for three months supply.
is there any help
on
payment of drugs?
• We can help you with all your prescription
medications. We are a licensed full service pharmacy benefit manager
and provide savings of up to 80% or more than local pharmacies and
mail orders. We have excellent prices on all brand name and many generic
medications
and provide exceptional professional service. Visit us online at globalpharmacydirect.net
or call toll free at 1-866-744-3835 for further information. Let us
help you receive the safe prescription drugs you need. • hi my name is stacy i need your help I'm
on disability and have no insurance at all and I'm have to take 9 pills
a day and the most expensive one is plavix
can you please help me out thank you. • hello i've been on several medicines. I'm
a heart patient and a diabetic, and went to get my meds today and was told
i'm in a donut hole. i'm worried now on how i can afford theses meds. here
is a list of all my meds. plavix, humalog, zolpidem, zantac, lovastatin,
synthroid, atenolol, lisinopril & triamter/hctz . can anyone tell me
if there is any programs out there that can help me? thank you. p.s.
desperately
need
help , with out these meds i can
not
live. • To
all posters -- repeating what we've written before, we suggest that you
look through the many posts on this Forum. A number of readers have included
links
to
assistance in their posts. Some are from discount drug web sites,
some are from the makers of Plavix and Effient. We'd also recommend contacting
your local Congressional Representative and/or Senator, since the
various
debates going on in Washington right now will impact patients directly,
especially Medicare patients. Find out what they suggest you do,
and let them know what you want from them. • I hit my doughnut hole in August and will
not have plavix available until after October. Is there any programs
that can provide 2 months of plavix? • My husband is now having to go on disability.
We only have my income coming in. Sure we have insurance thru my company
but how do we pay the doctor and then
get our medicine. I have only enough left to get gas and buy a few groceries.
Now we waiting to see if they are going to give him his ssi. I am a diabetes,
sure hurts to buy the medicine. • My mother Betty, at age 84, lives at a
nursing home. The doctor has prescribed her to take Cymbalta but for
1 month's supply it costs $167.44 and its just not economically possible
for her to continue unless there is a cheaper way. What about prescription
assistance? Could you help us with any information regarding our options?
Thanks. • Hello, please check out this web site for
your prescription assistance discounts. www.angel-rx.com You can check
out any prescription cost by contacting
the Anel-Rx customer service dept at 1-800-931-8872 Not only will you receive
the best possible discount by the pharmacy but you will also receive money
for your congregation. You can print an assistance angel-rx card off
the web-site
and use it today at all major pharmacies.We really do help.Sincerely, Everett
Ogden • My name is John Rohde & I had a heart attack
7/31/2011. I had a stent put in the right & left sides of my heart. I
just started a new job & don't qualify for insurance until 9/1/2011.
I have to take Plavix or I will die. I need financial help immediately.
Plavix is almost $500.00 without insurance. Can you assist. I am going
home to Pearland TX to rest then go back to work; what do I do in the
meantime??? Helppppppppppppppppppp. Thank You. • I have a cardiac stent and other issues
and my business is bankrupted. I have heard that you can send me some
meds at no cost -- I will list them --currently
taking: Plavix 75mg once in the morning Niaspam -- 2000mg --1000mg morning
and night Xanax XR 2mg -- take 3 times daily Zeita -- 10mg once daily
Cozaar -- 50
mg once daily Dyazide 37.5-25 caplets -- one daily. I appreciate what you can
do. • I am a diabetic that has a stent as of feb 2011. The manufacturer of plavix
gives me my medicine and public gives me my diabetic medicine for free. The cholesterol
and blood pressure is 9.00 at walmart. • i have been trying to get disability for a while
i have no income no insurance and i am homeless i am 25 years old. and
i went to a doctor today it didn't cost to see him because of me not
having income but the meds he put me on cost and the counseling cost but
i have
no income or insurance what do i do i am so stressed out about how much
the doctor bills are going to be and i don't know what to do can some
one please help me find out what i need to do. • I am a current graduate of USC and like so many
others can not find employment. My husband is also out of work and had
to have an angiogram today. He needs to
take Plavix. We didn't realize that this medication was going to be soooo expensive.
What are we to do??? Does anyone have any suggestions? • I am on plavix for my heart and I can no longer
can afford to pay for it. I take plavix 75. I sure would liketo as long
as I can. Sure hope y'll can
help me. Thank you. • Recently,i had two stents implanted in my heart.
The doctor prescribed plavix 75 mg and aspirin, plavix is costing me
207 dollars
per month and i really having a hard time to by this medication along
with others.I suffer from hight blood pressure and i am also a diabetic.
i need
help with all these medications, all are very expensive and i really
can not afford to by the same. please can sombody help. • I am living on Social Security Disability. I
have Medicare Part A and B and also Healthfirst 65+ HMO contracted through
Medicare so I can get dental, vision and prescription coverage. I was told
that I receive too much income monthly to qualify for prescription help
meanwhile I take: Plavix and baby aspirin for my heart, Metoprolol and
Lisinopril for my blood pressure and kidneys, Colace to soften my stool,
Mucinex DM, Albuterol, and Symbicort inhaler for my COPD, Simvastatin for
my cholesterol, Lovaza for my triglycerides, Metformin for my diabetes,
Ranitidine for my acid reflux, Gabapentin for the pinched nerves in my
neck, Budeprion for anxiety, and Pristiq for depression. These medications
cost over $800 a month. The "donut hole" for the year for most HMO's (which
is the amount of money paid out by both your copay and the insurance for
the total cost of all prescriptions), is around $2,800. After that, you
are required to pay 100% for all prescriptions (catastrophic stage) until
your out of pocket is $4500 at which point you will again be covered. I
cannot afford to spend $4500 for my medications. There has to be some kind
of coverage for this situation. • To Donna, Kettering,
PALipitor is no longer considered a tier 3 drug.
My physician gave me a card which allows me to obtain Lipitor for
$4.00 per 30 day prescription. Your Dr. should have received similar
info. • PLAVIX has ***finally*** been released from its
patent so that other companies can produce a generic form. The expiration
date for the patent is May 17, 2012!!! What a shame it's taken so long
for a generic -- I lived in Costa Rica for three months and the generic
was available there. It cost me USD 5.00 for a 30-day supply! • I work in a pharmacy and sad to see all those
posts, but so many meds have prescription copay assistance plans or have
online copay saving cards. So if you are really strugling paying for
your meds email me what you take and how much you pay per month and I can
tell
you how much more you can save and how. you can email me your info at
helpwithmymeds@hotmail.com • When I was 55, I had a heart attack in Feb 2008
and a drug eluding-stent was implanted. I have been using Plavix,($206.99
@ Walgreens), Metoprolol, Diovan, Pravacol(statin), Niaspan and other medications
since, which add up to about $600 a month just for medications. I have
been out of work since Dec 2009 and no longer have health insurance. Unemployment
has run out and now I cannot pay rent, and I am sleeping on the floor of
a friends place. I try to scrape together enough money for medications
each month by doing housecleaning, etc. Unfortunately, some months, for
lack of funds I can only take my medication every other day. Any ideas
on how to get medications since I'm not old enough to qualify for Medicare? • I am on Plavix as an alternative to Coumadin/Warfarin
(I do not have time to check my INR every. I am only 24 years old and I
have had 2 DVT's within the last 2 years (due to clotting disorders). I
am a full-time student at a private university and I am barely scraping
by with enough money to get my prescription each month. I was very disappointed
when the FDA pushed back Plavix's patent till May of next year. - Which
means that this drug will continue to be expensive for another year! -I
have asked my doctor to let me on another drug, but it turns out every
drug like Plavix such as Aggrenox, Pradaxa, etc are just as expensive. • Well! Like MANY OTHERS I'm totally dependent upon
SS income and just cannot afford a PLAVIX Rx with every bloody thing else
grasping at my basic income!However. When going to the Drug Company "HELP" sections
- If you don't have ANY drug coverage, they will CONSIDER some ASSISTANCE
with the Rx?Our income totals about $27K- Too much for ant SS drug Rx help!
Plus we have Part D and expensive AARP supplemental plan, so that's it
folks!Another fine mess! • I had two coated stents one year ago. Still
have pains from time to time but my situation is where can I get plavix
that does not cost 200.00. I just can't believe 30 pills are 200.00.
My Dr. says I will be on from now on. Help if anyone has found it cheaper
please let me know! • I am taking plavix 75 (1/day), I was getting
it through the VA but they now decline my RX. My outside doctor says
I have to take it. I am 67 years old. How can I get this RX cheaper.
I am on medicare also. • We are in Florida. My husbands vascular surgeon's office is sending us
information on how to get free Plavix. We both have Humana Gold Plus. I call
the Humana live pharmacy person, give them the medication description. He gives
me the name of a free medication replacement. Medicare & Medicaid work the
same way. If you cannot afford your medication - tell your Doctor, your pharmacy,
your insurance, local welfare - Medicaid, someone will know how to get your
meds.
I've been doing this for 18 years for as many as 15 different people, from
birth to age 80. The only catch is income. And if your meds are expensive,
the income
guideline goes up. • Also, check online for COPAY CARDS or COPAY
ASSISTANCE. I just got two
Coupons/Cards for my Dad, one for Lipitor & one for Colcrys. He used to take
colchicine, but it was taken off the market. His copay went from $15.00 for
90 pills of colchicine to $418.00 for 90 pills of Colcrys. With the coupon
it now
costs $45 for 90 pills...still expensive, but much better. For the Lipitor,
his copay went from $78.00 for 30 pills to $28.00 for 30 pills with the Lipitor
Copay
Card. You can't find Copay Cards for every medicine, but it is easy enough
to search the internet. Just put in the name of the medicine followed by Copay
Card
or Copay Assistance and see if any websites come up. For example type in Lipitor
Copay Card or Lipitor Copay Assistance. Anyway, hope some of this information
is helpful to you. • Regarding Niaspan & Crestor, my doctor had
put me on Niaspan years ago, & my
copay was quite large. When I mentioned it to my doctor he told me to take
over the counter NIACIN instead. He said it was basically the same thing,
but ask
your doctor if you can substitute Niacin for Niaspan. I take 750 mg once/day,
it has done wonders. 100 tablets cost $20. Now for Crestor, my copay is $50
for
90 days. I recently asked my doctor if he had any samples in the office & he
gave me 18 one week packets (126 pills). ALWAYS ask your doctors if they have
samples of any meds you are taking. If they have them, they are usually glad
to give them to you. Once they expire in your doctors office, they have to
throw them away anyway, so I am sure your doctor would rather give them away
to his
patients. It never hurts to ask & it
will save you some money. • I am a 60 year old male. I have a quadruple
bypass last year and have lost my job. I take crestor and niaspan but
can no longer afford to pay for them. Please help me find a solution!! • Kay in
Phillie -- We hear you and can only recommend some of the links that
others have sent into this topic, although
it sounds like you've tried those. I'd call attention of all posters
here to another topic on our Forum, "Cost
of Stent and Angioplasty" -- we've had several posts from
Canadian citizens about how the U.S. needs to learn from the Canadian
experience. As a post from Toronto earlier today reads, "it boggles
the mind that Americans accept
not having universal health care - the ONLY country in the Western World
without it." • I also have similar situation. I am relatively
young at 45 and have had a heart attack (3 stents) and a stroke. I was
found to have a genetic cholesterol
problem. I have always worked hard, put myself through college and still try
to work. At this point, my medication, because no one will insure me is well
over $1200/month. I have lost several jobs because of my health (TIAs, pancreatitis
caused by my high cholesterol, angina). Still I cannot get medical assistance.
I have been told by my Senator that there is a lot of help out there for people
like me. WHERE????? There is a free clinic 70 miles away, but they don't help
with the cost of medicine. I tried discount cards still too expensive . I have
applied for patient assistance programs, and am told I don't qualify because
I was getting unemployment (a whopping $320 a week which would not even
cover my
medicines let alone food housing). So basically my Senator told me to choose
between having medications and being homeless or not having medications and dying
with
a roof over my head) Ain't life grand? • My mom is 84 years of age and she can not
afford Plavix any longer last year her co-pay was $38, she went to the
pharmacy yesterday and they told her it is $115 per prescription so
sad that our parents
and grandparents can not live there lives, what is left of them with
grace and dignity...This is the richest country in the world and we still
can
not take care of our own...My mom said she will not take Plavix any
longer, I
need other things more...so sad for all
of us, how gray the future looks... • To all posters:
check out the notice in the right sidebar. A research firm is looking to
interview patients who are taking or who recently have taken Effient
(prasurgel). They
are offering generous compensation. U.S. residents only. For more information,
email effient AT angioplasty.org or,
if you know someone that might be interested, share or email this page
to them (see icons at top of page). -- UPDATE:
this study is now closed. • I can't afford Plavix I have taken it for 11 or 12 years. Now on medicare
part D. It will be way too much. I also take Lipitor and I can't afford it. • I have had positive experiences at betterlifepharmacy.com.
Hope this helps. [Editor's note: we welcome opinions and information
from our readers, but any opinion expressed or information/link sent in
by posters are their own and do
not
necessarily
reflect those of Angioplasty.Org or its editors. We also do not endorse
obtaining prescription medicines or pharmaceuticals from any source that
may conflict with the laws or regulations of any country.] • To all posters
-- please look through the many posts on this Forum. A number of readers
have included links to assistance
in their
posts. Some are from discount drug web sites, some are from the makers
of Plavix and Effient. We'd also recommend contacting your local Congressional
Representative and/or Senator,
since the
various debates
going
on in Washington
right now will impact patients directly, especially Medicare patients.
Find
out what they suggest you do, and let them know what you want from them. • I need help from Plavix... I cannot afford these prices. I am on a fixed
income and 65 years old. Can you help? • Wow, Thank you all for your stories, it
is so sad that we as Americans have to live this way. I was trying
to look for
help with prescriptions drugs as I can't afford them, but I don't have
heart problems, I have lung problems, COPD, We had awesome insurance
last year,
where we had co-pays and now this year, we have to pay 6,000 deductible
before they pay squat! My medications are real expensive and I was
in the ER 3 weeks
ago with pneumonia, afraid to get that bill.....I did get a tip from
the posts, I have been looking into Canada pharmacies, and I got an idea
from
this page and I went and looked at it, and I am going to try it, the
cost is a third of what I pay here, it is worth a try, I am so ready
to try....affordabledrugs.com,
check it out, I will come back and let you know how it works out.....My
heat goes out to all of you, this is supposed to
be America....... • Financial Assistance
in Portland -- scroll down and check out the various links that readers have
sent in to this Forum. Bristol Myers has
a patient assistance program, etc. As for your financial
situation, you might want to discuss it with a financial advisor for
senior citizens
-- Portland certainly should have some community organizations that can
help you navigate the Medicare/Social Security issues. Medicare should
be covering
some of your expenses. And even though you and your late husband were "self-employed",
you must have paid self-employment taxes (which are actually double,
since you are both employer and employee) through the years and are therefore
eligible for social security just like anyone else. • IN 2003 I had a massive coronary. DOA @
hospital, revived.Had a Stent installed. Later another Stent then two
Balloon Angioplasty. I have been on Plavix
since the first heart attack. I quickly go down hill when I am not on the Plavix.
I receive $429.29 a month to live on, buy my 11 prescriptions and food. I need
help with the plavix. I dropped the Nitro. and two of the other drugs. I am not
receiving Medicaid or Social Security (we were independent business people until
my husband died, and as such did not pay into Social Security). Now I am in a
mess. The doctor I was seeing is just giving me miss information! I am not getting
anywhere with my search of financing my Plavix. I am 65 years of age. • i had a blocked right carotid last year
and had to have a carotid endarterectomy. i was put on plavix and my
insurance
company paid for it for three months and now they say i don't have a
diagnosis for it. i am a nurse and unemployed at the moment. i would
like to know
if there is a company out there that can help
me. thanks. • Catherine in Pennsylvania -- You mention that
your husband had 3 stents placed "this last time". When exactly
was that? Stopping antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus Plavix or Effient)
before 12 months after stenting with a drug-eluting stent definitely increases
the risk for a blood clot in the stent, which can cause a heart attack. Many
cardiologists, especially in patients at higher risk for blood clots, recommend
Plavix for longer. Try the various links that readers have sent in and check
with your insurer. Sounds like you've reached the "donut-hole",
where Medicare is paying half the costs (without the Healthcare Reform
Act, you'd now be
paying 100%). • My husband was put on plavix in 2002 after a heart attack. Until now he
has gotten samples and had reasonable co-pays. We this year the co-pay went from
$6 to $20-$25 then now it is $65. When it was $20 he got samples now that it
is $65 it is getting harder to get samples. My husband can't afford the $65 so
he is going to stop taking it. The last angiogram the doctor said it was very
important it takes it. The first time he had to have 1 stent. This last time
he had 3 stents put in. I can't make him take it. He needs the medicine and it
is too expensive. We live on SS with no help from anyone so we don't have much
money to spend on medicines..I have at least 12 different pills I live on everyday
and my husband has 6 that he lives on. Every time medicine becomes too expensive
he stops taking them. Please help me keep my husband alive. Thank you. • i can't get any help because i get medicaid.
I have eight prescriptions but my medicaid only pays for three..Seems
unfair... • My husband just had angioplasty with stent
placement and needs to take
Plavix. My sister (a physician) recommended affordabledrugs.com out
of Canada. She has been using their website to buy name brand drugs for 3 years
with excellent
results. They offer Plavix 75mg for $70 for 28 pills and $423 for 252 pills.
They also offer a generic plavix but she does not recommend that as she said
it is too important to to use a generic made who knows where. According to my
husband's doctor Plavix is going generic in the US in October 2011 so we should
be able to get a good generic here soon. Best of luck to everyone. • I had surgery to open blockages then doctor
put me on medicine that is too expensive to keep taking -- he wont
take me off but i cant afford all of it - As for the surgery well paid
what
could but fell behind and lets just say bill collectors are knocking..
at this point will have to stop medicine and hope all goes ok ... money
just don't stretch far enough. Does anyone have any advice that may
help ?? thanks for reading and have a good day. • Anyone that needs help with the cost of
their medicines can contact me at rxassistanceok [AT] yahoo [DOT] com.
I will take each case by itself and let you know what you need to do to get
your Plavix or any other drug that is
on my program. There is approximately 4,000 drugs that I have on the program.
Remember if your drug is costing you more than $7.00 a mo. I should be able
to lower your cost. This program can be done in most all states. [Ed. note:
Angioplasty.Org does not endorse any claims or services made by users of
its Forum -- please read our Disclaimer at the bottom of this page. We
also ask that, if you do email this poster, that (1) you also post
your situation to this Forum so that
others may read it and so that the need for patients to get prescription assistance
is seen in a public forum (this Forum is accessed over 30,000 times a month).
To post a comment or question, you do not need to use your actual name and
your email address will, of course, be
kept
private.
And (2) we would very much appreciate readers who do interact with
"Rx Assistance" to send feedback to this topic. Thank
you.] • I am a patient recovering from a heart
transplant. My ejection fraction at time of transplant was 4%. After
transplant, I was
brought back to the hospital with clots. In the hospital, I managed to
get MRSA and shingles. I've had 3 known heart attacks, 7 major heart
rejections,
developed kidney failure, osteoarthritis (13 broken bones post op), cluster
headaches, borderline diabetic, constant tachycardia and my left foot
hurts too (lol). My doctors have put me on Plavix twice per day. I cannot
afford
it by any means. I am living on SSDi. While I do draw a good amount,
2047 dollars, I pay out over 625 dollars a month in prescription meds
AFTER
insurance. My medicare is taken out of the SSDi and then my supplement
comes out as
well. That is just the TIP of an enormous iceberg. I can't live without
these meds but I am not able to take them because I just cannot pay
for them. • Rx Assistance --
thanks for your posting. Although Angioplasty.Org does not endorse any claims
made in posts here, we are interested
in providing our readers with as much information as possible. Should
any reader be interested in the program below, just post to this topic. • I am a patient advocate and just wanting
to give back to the community because I feel that I have had a pretty
good life.
What I do is, if people are paying a high cost for their medications I
have a program with the pharmaceutical companies where they can get their
medications
for no cost. I am just charging a $20 fee because of the time it takes
and the accuracy needed for this and to cover expenses to get this to
the pharmaceutical
companies and get the patient a 90 day supply of the drug at no cost. Some
of the expenses is postage, faxing, ink, and my time. They can stay on
this program as long as the pharmaceutical companies stay with it. This
could
be many years and can help people that can't afford their medications to
be able to get their prescription filled instead of just quit taking the
medication. Most that just can afford it or it is to high in the budget
quit taking it which can be very harmful. They sometimes will even cut
out food
or other needed stuff just to get their medication because of the cost.
I am out their trying to help not sell something to someone. If you can
see
past the $20 expense that I am asking to help with my expense because I
am not a non-profit organization and can put this through I think you
will see
their is a lot of people that can be helped. Thanks for you time! • Fatherxmas1953
(a creative name!) from Baltimore -- thanks for the link. Just want to
re-emphasize to all readers that, as
we
state
in our disclaimer at the bottom of each page, "Opinions and recommendations
expressed on the FORUM are solely those of their authors." So
Angioplasty.Org does not necessarily endorse or recommend links posted
by readers. • although this offers no solution for people
taking plavix, I found this site offers some solutions for lowering costs
for other prescriptions: www.drugonepage.com • Shirley Ann in Michigan -- Effient is manufactured
by Eli Lilly. They have a "patient assistance program" for
people who cannot afford their medicines. We don't know if you'll qualify,
but
check it out
at www.lilly.com/responsibility/servingpatients/programs. • Had a stent put in on Christmas Eve. Am a widow and do not have the money
to pay for all the medication I am to be on including Effient, which is expensive.
Is there any place I can get some help! • I'm On SS. I Need to have Plavix but
cannot afford the price. I have 4 stents in me. I'm afraid of bad heart
attack
i need help. • Lanalee61
from Illinois, and ALL READERS -- look through the links that have been
posted in this topic and you may find help. Have you
tried Bristol Myers financial assistance site at www.bmspaf.org? • I have CAD and have been suffering since
2001. I can't afford my medicine. I had another Heart Catheterization
in October 2010 and they could not fix my Rt artery which is closed 100%.
On March 18th, 2011 I will undergo another procedure. It is extremely
important that I take my Plavix and I can't afford it. Can you
help? • You can also print a FREE discount card
at www.caprxprogram.org/u157 • I had 4 stents in October 2010 since then
i have lost my job and insurance and can't afford my medicine($160) also
my husband is supposed to be on it but he doesn't have insurance either
can you help? • As we have
written to others, look through the links on this Forum Topic and read
what others have suggested. There
are programs for people in economic need -- but don't wait to start taking
Plavix. It is very important to stat taking Plavix immediately after
stenting to prevent blood clots from forming in the stent.
Maybe your cardiologist has samples he/she could give you until you can get
some type of discount pricing through Bristol Myers or some other plan. • I have had stents out into my heart. I
now need to take plavix for one year. I do not have insurance. Can you
help?
I am
63 years old. • Joe from Soquel
-- did you receive a stent after your heart attack. If so, you should be
taking Plavix and
aspirin. Let us know if you got a stent and what type. And try some of
the links mentioned below for financial aid for Plavix. • my name is joe 3 days ago i had a heart
attack. No insurance and Plavix costs over 200 a month my doctor said
don't pay some
of my bill cause u need to pay for plavix. I'm scared and don't know what
else i can do. • Jane
from Philadelphia -- read through all the posts on this Forum Topic --
there are a number of links sent in by readers,
especially to Bristol Myers financial assistance site at www.bmspaf.org and
others. Given your situation, we would like to think you'd qualify for free
Plavix. Try them out and let us know how you fare. And we agree that it is
outrageous that someon, particularly in your profession, should not be able
to get the medicines they need to stay healthy! Whatever one's political
persuasion, and whether one agrees or not with the new health care reform
law, we can certainly agree that the current state of access
to medical care in the U.S. needs significant improvement. Good luck Jane. • I am a nurse and I am 56 years old and
have been on plavix for a few years as I have heart disease and high
blood pressure. My Dr insists that I am at very high risk for stroke
and heart attack. I had to stop taking it because I lost my job and my
health insurance. My house was foreclosed on. I have an allergy to NSAIDs
and am not a candidate for coumadin. I have helped so many other people
in my career. I apply for at least 3 jobs every monday through friday
for the
last 4 months. please help me. • My husband has to take Plavix too. We both
became un-employed over a year and could not afford the medication. Thankfully
we were told that every drug
company has programs for the people that can't pay for their meds. All u have
to do is call the company that makes the drug and ask for an application or
call the company and they will send u one. If you qualify u can get the
medication
for free or at a discounted price. For Plavix it is made by Bristol Myers Squibb.
Here are two websites u can visit, www.pparx.org, and www.bmspaf.org. Or call
1-800-736-0003. • MY husband needs to take Crestor for his
heart and blood pressure issues. The Va doesn't dispense Crestor and
is refusing to work with us, only because they nearly killed him with
the drugs they were saying he needed and we were paying for and can't
afford. We don't qualify for a lot of help because he still works part
time for the sheriff's dept. and I also work part time for my church.
I am legally blind and he is also disabled. • My darling man is both uninsured & unemployed. He has 5 stents & needs
to take a statin, Plavix & Atenolol. He has enough of these meds for one more
month. HELP, how does he get his meds
to stay alive?!?!?! • It's sad that this discussion has descended
into a political debate. There are people with serious health and financial
needs that really do need a more affordable option for drugs. A site
like needymeds is a great place
to start. another option are the many discount drug card programs out
there. The advantage of those is that one card will get you a discount
on most drugs. the discounts for generic drugs is great, but brand
name drugs savings
is only about 10%. but for some people, anything helps. Medsavercard
pharmacy discount card (here's their plavix
coupon and RxFree card program. • Whatever drives the very naive idea that only democrats can save lives?
Don't republicans use Plavix too? The difference is that republicans want to
develop a "pay as you go" system, while democrats want it paid for by their grandchildren.
What a way to be remembered 60 years from now!Obamacare is a hastily assembled
early attempt. After it gets repealed, or struck down by courts, we will see
more serious attempts, until one becomes worthy of implementing. Changing topics
now, couple years ago, against my doctor's advice, I weaned myself off Plavix.
I recently came across few Plavix pills from those days, and my first thought
was to give them to someone. But how??? Further, since I live "a little south
of the Mecca I belong in", getting Plavix is easy here, $2 per pill, in factory
hologrammed packages, no prescription needed. What is one to do? If I send
someone Plavix with my return address, the first average joe will sick trial
lawyers
on me when his mail gets delayed or lost. But if I send it without return address
.... would anyone in their right mind use it? There must be many situations
like this. Is there a
solution? • Look at all the stories on here....it seems
to have one common thread...Affordability. This one drug is a great example.
A company developed it, yes. A company should make a profit from it, yes.
Being they have a literal stranglehold on the manufacturing and distribution
(patent) of this drug, it seems if they had a human soul among them, they
would have maybe said "OK, we have made our set financial goals on this drug,
let's make it affordable for some of the 60 or 70 million people without
insurance". They have made over 6 billion on this drug alone.This drug
is NOT a elective type drug, it is a life/death kind of drug. Will corporate
America ever let human souls enter into the equation, or is that not
possible in that type of world?I mean at 6 or 7.00 per day, do you think
that might
start dropping it to 2 or 3.00 per day and still make 2 or 3 billion
a year
on it? • Tom and Joe -- Okay. I've heard the call for
the "forum moderator". We're not censoring the exchange you've been having
(at least not now) because it is in some ways instructive, especially in
these times. Tom -- you're definitely correct in saying that the Plavix patent
issue was one decided in the courts and was not a political issue (and thank
you for your supportive comments of our web site). But Joe, your statements
that this is a political issue are correct, in that
the healthcare
reform bill that was passed, and which, as of January 1, closed the prescription
drug "donut hole" for many patients is now going to be repealed
by the new Republican majority in the House of
Representatives.
The repeal bill, if it is passed by the House, will probably not
survive the Senate and would be subject to a Presidential veto if it
did -- but the high emotions around this mixture of medicine and politics
are
evident nationally and here, locally, in our humble Forum. We urge all
to try to put politics aside and think about the siutation that patients
on
this Forum have found themselves in: they've gotten a stent, often paid
for through insurance and costing many thousands of dollars, but this
same insurance won't cover the necessary medicines (Plavix, etc.) to
keep the
stent from
thrombosing. Certainly something is wrong here. It's something that we
testified about at the 2006 FDA Stent Safety hearings, and it is still a problem! • To Regular Joe: In my earlier comment I have provided a link to an article
on this website, where people can learn the truth about Plavix and the law. It
is not a political party issue, but you keep trying to turn it into one. Now
you resort to further sarcasm, name calling, and more falsehoods. Please, stop
already! People come to this forum because of real life problems, they are looking
for help, and this website provides plenty of it. In contrast, your hateful and
false postings exploit this situation for your own party politics, Joe, you should
be ashamed. Frankly, I would prefer if the moderator purged this whole topic,
starting with your first incendiary post on Dec. 10, and ending with this one. • Tom in Encinitas, aren't you a little south
of the Mecca you belong in? You should definitely be with your brethren
in Orange County. I know, you are probably right....The republicants
were the
ones pressing for healthcare reform right??? And it was the Democrats
that kept shooting it down, saying it was socialist and that the existing
system,
which was jacking up the rates by 12% a year, was a good solid system,
while dropping people that had any type of health care issue, left
and right.Yeah,
your right, I must have been mistaken..... • Kris and others -- you can read Angioplasty.Org's
coverage of this March 2010 FDA Plavix advisory here: "FDA
Alert: Plavix May Be Less Effective in Some Patients with Genetic Variation" and
also our
exclusive interview with Dr. Eric Topol, a pioneer in genetic
testing for the CYP2C19 genetic variation -- this discussion is a bit off-topic
here (this topic is about financial assistance) so I'm copying it over to
our topic on Plavix,
Aspirin and Stents. • Have you seen the FDA warning on Plavix
and DNA? It
is here.
My husband is CYP2C19 poor metabolizer so his dr switched him to effient.
You
should ask your dr about this test. • 1 month before my 40th birthday I had some
side effects that eventually led to having 2 heart stents put in. I was
devastated at how much Plavix cost
and the thought of having a heart attach or stroke leaving my daughter left
without a mother. I found out about the patient in need program and I
am grateful and
excited that there is help out there for those who need it. Thank you Bristol-Myers
for stepping up to the plate and eliminating the stress of not being able to
afford this prescription. I thank you and my daughter thanks you too. [Ed.
note: the web site for Bristol-Myers program is http://www.bmspaf.org] • I had a stent put in right coronary and
am on plavix. The problem is even though I have prescription coverage
I am afraid I can't afford the meds due to being out on disability.
I take a beta blocker, plavix, 2 antidepressants, Ibpropine 800, Niaspan,
aspirin and lipitor I am going to have to give up a couple meds due
to
lack of funds. this could hurt my heart health. • Mike, I take Plavix also, I get it from free from the IMSS, which is the
Mexican Social Security Institution. Some times there are delays in delivering
the drugs and I have to buy it a the drug store, I pay about 55 USD for a 28
pill box of Plavix or Iscover (it's the same). I usually buy it at www.benavides.com.mx
There
you can find a list of all of their stores in Mexico. Hope this helps. |
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