posted
If there's any group of people that can understand where I'm coming from, it's you all!
Over the last couple years, we've had $55K in unreimbursed medical expenses and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.
My LLMD wants me to add Mepron to my IV zith. for a minimum of three months.
The cheapest I can find it is at Target-- $833 for a 210 ml bottle--enough for only 21 days. (I've already passed my insurance max, so no help there).
Any ideas where to find it cheaper? Anybody tried the online Canadian pharmacies? I'm unsure about that--but I did find it for $547 from an online Canadian source.
Thanks in advance for any survival tips!!
~Hanging...by a thread...that's fraying... Posts: 136 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Prior to getting my insurance co on-board with me I bought through canadadrugs.com, it was just over $500 a bottle. Not great but better than the $1000+ a bottle they wanted locally.
I don't know if the makers have a program for low income patients. It would be worth checking into.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
My insurance covered it ... I know there are old threads on here that have information on where to get Mepron for free if insurance doesn't cover it. It might be a good idea to search the forum for one of those threads. Sorry, I don't know the info.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
GlaxoSmith Kline (makers of Mepron) has a program called Bridges to Access, which many have used to get Mepron for free.
If you do a search here for "Bridges to Access" you should find some old threads about it.
You can also check the GSK website - I think the Bridges to Access program is on it.
Not sure how long it will take to get it, though.
Good luck!
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Thanks for the tips! I checked out the Bridges to Access site and sadly, don't qualify. I do have drug coverage (just a disgustingly low yearly max. benefit! )
It does look like a great program for those without insurance...wonder when the yellow stuff is due to go off patent?!
I'm going to scour old posts now. Thanks again. You guys are great.
Posts: 136 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Try Costco, they always had the best mepron prices, about $150 cheaper than the rest. Don't know if that's still true though.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Is there any chance you would qualify for state insurance? In most states you can get it even if you have private ins if you qualify, to cover deductibles and copays.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Never took it. I got well on clindamycin/quinine and zith/artemisinin. [and heparin]
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
I was on it for two years and every bottle cost me 10$!!! My insurance paid it (amazingly- I was blood negative!)
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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djf2005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11449
posted
also art is questionably/potertially as effective in fighting the babsiesa protozoa.
a MUCH cheaper alternative, also MUCH less harmful on the body
good luck
humbly,
derek
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
posted
Here is what I have. I hope it can give you and anyone else that needs help with medication some good information.
www.themedicineprogram.com www.needymeds.org www.healthynh.com www.themedicineprogram.com www.rxassist.orgwww.rxforohio.com www.ayudandopacientes.org www.rxhope.com www.helpingpatients.org www.roche.com The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 275 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).
Mepron- Glaxo Wellcome Inc. PAP PO Box 52185, Phoenix AZ 85072 (800)745-2967 Patient Assistance: (800)722-9294 Cipro Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals PO Box 15197, Willmington DE 19850 (800)236-9933 Patient Assistance: (800)355-6044 Questran- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company PO Box 4500, Princeton NJ 08543 (800)332-2056 Patient Assistance: (800)437-0994 Keflex- Eli Lilly and Company PO Box 25768, Alexandria VA 22313 (800)545-5979 Patient Assistance: (800)545-6962 Armour thyroid- Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. 13600 Shoreline Dr, St Louis MO 63045 (314)493-7000 Patient Assistance: (800)851-0758 Biaxin- Abbott Laboratories 200 Abbott Park Road D31C, J23, Abbott Park IL 60064 (800)255-5162 Patient Assistance: (800)222-6885
Amoxicillian- Abbott Laboratories 200 Abbott Park Road D31C, J23, Abbott Park IL 60064 (800)255-5162 Patient Assistance: (800)222-6885 Ampicillin (9) Apothecon PO Box 4500, Princeton NJ 08543 (800)321-1335 Bactrim- Roche Pharmaceuticals 340 Kingsland Street, Nutley NJ 07110 (800)526-6367 Patient Assistance: (800)285-4484 Pen-Vee K (76) Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories PO Box 8299, Philadelphia PA 19101 (800)395-9938 Patient Assistance: (800)568-9938
`````````````````````````````````````````````` Glasko Smith Kline Patient Program: Contact 1-866-PATIENT (1-866-728-4368)
Malerone Amoxil/Augmentin Bactroban Ceftin Paxil Valtrex Zantac The patient must meet the following criteria to qualify: Be an U. S. Resident. Has no health insurance or no prescription coverage. Not eligible for Medicaid, ADAP, or other drug assistance programs. Annual income is below $25,000 for an individual, or 250% of the for a family. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------- ICEY Posts: 468 | From Las Vegas NV | Registered: Jun 2005
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lymeladyinNY
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10235
posted
My husband and I got it for $5 a bottle back in 2003-04 from the Kaiser Permanente pharmacy.
The prescription drug plan was the only good thing I could say about this HMO. I blame them for me becoming chronic because they absolutely refused to diagnose me with Lyme.
Anyway, my husband was so mad at them for screwing me over that when our LLMD wrote a prescription for several refills we filled each and every one. I had more Mepron than I could ever use and the cost came out of Kaiser's pocket.
I still have those bottles of Mepron as a "souvenir" but they are past expiration now. I did not have a computer at the time and didn't know about Lymenet or maybe I'd have donated them. Anyway, the Mepron I did take put babesiosis into remission for me for nearly three years now.
This is just a side note anecdote - I wish I could answer your question for you now.
Good luck!
-------------------- I want to be free Posts: 1170 | From Endicott, NY | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Thanks again to all for your great advice and links. I've learned a lot already!
I did find out that it's due to go off patent Aug 15, 2009...wonder if I can hold out till then Posts: 136 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:Originally posted by hanginginthere: I did find out that it's due to go off patent Aug 15, 2009...wonder if I can hold out till then
You mentioned that you passed your insurance max. Can you hold out until January? Usually they start over the 1st of the year, would you have prescription coverage then?
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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Good thought except my yearly max pharm benefit is $2000...six weeks of Mepron will wipe out the whole year for me.
I'm not giving up though...I'm going to study the old posts and see if anyone had success taking it short term! I may buy it on my own from Canada if it's worth taking it for three months or less!
Thanks for the ideas!!
Posts: 136 | From North Carolina | Registered: Apr 2007
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