William T. Stewart – 6/30/15

This page was last updated on June 30, 2015.

Drug company prices are simply outrageous; William T. Stewart; Beaver County Times; June 30, 2015.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I realize that drug companies are in business to make money, but $7,000 for 80 capsules of the antibiotic Vancomycin? C’mon, really?

“I recently contracted a very bad very contagious infection which put me in Heritage Valley Beaver hospital in isolation for four days. My insurance company would not cover this drug. Thanks to Debbie, a Giant Eagle Pharmacy tech, and a nurse at my family doctor’s office, they got it covered through my PACENET program. They saved me from a bad situation, not to mention likely my life. So again many thanks, and to the drug company, shame on you -- $7,000 for 80 capsules is outrageous.”

[RWC] There must be more to this story. A quick Internet search showed prices for vancomycin a lot less than $7,000 for 80 capsules ($87.50/capsule).

For example, goodrx.com says CVS sells 80 125mg capsules of vancomycin (generic) for $861.88 ($10.77/capsule) with a free coupon, and Walgreens sells 80 250mg capsules for $1,755.12 ($21.94/capsule) with a free coupon.

Even the brand-name version (Vancocin) is a lot less expensive. Walmart sells 80 125mg capsules for $2,401.02 ($30.01/capsule) with a free discount and 80 250mg capsules for $4,422.96 ($55.29/capsule) with a free discount.

To qualify for PACENET help, you must be 65 years old or older. This means Mr. Stewart is on Medicare and a bunch of Medicare Part D drug plans include vancomycin in their formulary. It appears Mr. Stewart was unlucky when he chose his drug plan. I’m not on Medicare, but vancomycin is in my plan’s formulary.