Free Scripts?

[hibernia]

I never understood why the south of Ireland always used expensive brands instead of generics.

One of the great mysteries of the universe, up there with how can a country go from bust to boom and back again within a decade.

After eight months when the originals were up to 40% CHEAPER than the the generics we had a price cut on generics to bring them to being 2% cheaper. No I didn't miss a zero, that is supposed to read TWO PERCENT.
Now there are plans to intoduce reference pricing and generic substitution, but it hardly seems worthwhile to save 2%, given that the real drugs costs are in the ones still on patent.

[culchie82]

One of the great mysteries of the universe, up there with how can a country go from bust to boom and back again within a decade.

Wouldn't say the boom to bust in a decade is that big a mystery. People became too greedy and built houses and drove cars that were way above their means (all funded by the banks of course who couldn't lend the money out quick enough).
Things must be bad when even the mighty Quinn is resorting to selling his private Jet!

[Fleegle]

One of the great mysteries of the universe, up there with how can a country go from bust to boom and back again within a decade.

After eight months when the originals were up to 40% CHEAPER than the the generics we had a price cut on generics to bring them to being 2% cheaper. No I didn't miss a zero, that is supposed to read TWO PERCENT.
Now there are plans to intoduce reference pricing and generic substitution, but it hardly seems worthwhile to save 2%, given that the real drugs costs are in the ones still on patent.

There are direct discounts of up to 80% still available..it's no secret.

[hibernia]

There are direct discounts of up to 80% still available..it's no secret.

Correct and that provides the incentive to DISPENSE generic but there is no incentive to PRESCRIBE generic and no mechanism for generic substitution, which might give Culchie82 a clue as to why we have such high levels of branded prescribing.

[Fleegle]

Extremely good point hibernia..how many pharmacies would you estimate have already introduced their own mechanism for generic substitution? Ethically speaking, I think it is wrong until legislation is put in place, but God knows it appears to be happening everywhere.

[hibernia]

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess, not being that familiar with what happens in other pharmacies, but I would say you are right that it is becoming common.