Discovery formularies

[superB]

So, I went to collect my chronic meds from the pharmacy yesterday and imagine my surprise when my shortfall shot up from R188 per month (for the last year its been the same every month) to R450!! Apparently it's because there is now a generic on the market for the one particular pill and now Discovery has lowered the amount they pay for on their formulary list.

Should I have been notified of this? And is my doctor in bed with the pharmacutical companies? Why wont he let me take the generic instead? I thought generics were the same thing as the original....?

Lastly, should I have McDonalds for dinner tonight?

 

[killadoob]

Well why won't he let you have the generic? I have heard some doctors say the generic's are normally not as good as the original because they use cheaper stuff but i am not so sure about that.

I thought generics where cheaper because other companies have access to the formula as opposed to one company have access to it and charging what they like.

I would demand the generic if i was you or take your script elsewhere. No you should not have McDonald's for dinner , maybe steers or nando's but not McDonalds, hmmmmmmmmmmmm pizzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

 

[guest2013-1]

So, I went to collect my chronic meds from the pharmacy yesterday and imagine my surprise when my shortfall shot up from R188 per month (for the last year its been the same every month) to R450!! Apparently it's because there is now a generic on the market for the one particular pill and now Discovery has lowered the amount they pay for on their formulary list.

Should I have been notified of this? And is my doctor in bed with the pharmacutical companies? Why wont he let me take the generic instead? I thought generics were the same thing as the original....?

Lastly, should I have McDonalds for dinner tonight?

Drop your medical aid and get a hospital plan. It will work out cheaper in the long run to do that then pay those money grubbing *******s. Some hospital plan's also has cover for chronic meds which is a lot cheaper than what you'll get with Discovery. a friend of mine even got them to cover her psychiatrist because she didn't use the chronic medication money available to her and bought her own.

And yes. You should have McDonalds. Number 4 Medium No Pickles with Creme Soda (if you ask No Pickles they usually make it fresh because it's special order and just tastes better)

 

[guest2013-1]

I FORGOT!!!

It's wacky wednesday at steers. You should do steers with medium chips + Creme soda....

 

[CathJ]

Speak to your doctor about the generic - unless the script says so, the pharmacist can't just substitute the generic for what the doctor prescribed. Generally generics should be the same as the original, but I know of 2 meds where a doctor said the generic just doesn't work as well.

 

[superB]

Well why won't he let you have the generic? I have heard some doctors say the generic's are normally not as good as the original because they use cheaper stuff but i am not so sure about that.

I thought generics where cheaper because other companies have access to the formula as opposed to one company have access to it and charging what they like.

I would demand the generic if i was you or take your script elsewhere. No you should not have McDonald's for dinner , maybe steers or nando's but not McDonalds, hmmmmmmmmmmmm pizzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Demanding isnt really an option - he is a specialist in his field and I dont really want to take something if he recommends I dont. He has been my doctor for years and I trust his medical know-how.

I just wondered if there is a reason that he doesnt want to use a generic. You mentioned that some believe the generics arent as good. Is there any truth in that?

 

[superB]

Drop your medical aid and get a hospital plan. It will work out cheaper in the long run to do that then pay those money grubbing *******s. Some hospital plan's also has cover for chronic meds which is a lot cheaper than what you'll get with Discovery. a friend of mine even got them to cover her psychiatrist because she didn't use the chronic medication money available to her and bought her own.

And yes. You should have McDonalds. Number 4 Medium No Pickles with Creme Soda (if you ask No Pickles they usually make it fresh because it's special order and just tastes better)

My company pays for my m/aid 100% - plus my chronic meds come to over R3000 per month (of which Discovery covers all except the R188 mentioned) which is more than Classic Comprehensive costs I'm happy with the cover I get I'm just curious about the changing of formulary lists and generics...

And I think wacky wednesday is a splendid idea