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Monday, April 12, 2004Through the federal Web site, consumers and government officials will have access to prices for more than 60,000 products sold at nearly 75,000 pharmacies around the country. 'That has never happened before,' said James L. Yocum, executive vice president of DestinationRx, a contractor that helped develop the site. The process of setting drug prices is notoriously secretive. Ten people buying the same drug at a retail pharmacy may pay 10 different prices, depending what insurance coverage they have, if any. Comparison shopping is difficult. 'This type of information is hard to get today,' said John C. Rother, policy director of AARP, the lobby for older Americans. 'Most consumers don't have access to it.' ...Elderly people who are not comfortable using the Internet will be able to call a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) It's amazing how much prices can vary between pharmacies - even when said pharmacies are just across the street from one another. Comparing prices between drug stores just isn't practical for most people. They have to call the pharmacist, who is usually busy filling prescriptions, to get the information. Not only will this help Medicare beneficiaries, it will help everyone who has to pay for their own drugs. And, as the article notes, it will increase competition among drug stores, helping to drive down the prices of prescription drugs. Hopefully. posted by Sydney on 4/12/2004 08:27:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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