Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Law change needed to help with prescriptions

Law change needed to help with prescriptions

Sep 17, 2008 - 04:05:15 CDT

By ALVIN AND MARY BRAUNAGEL
Bismarck

We winter in South Texas, and that's when we found out about generic prescription drugs for $4 for 30 days, or $10 for 90 days. Yes, Isaid $4 for 30 days, or $10 for 90 day supply.

We could get these prescriptions from the Wal-Mart Pharmacy. We took our bottles to them and they transferred the prescriptions from the North Dakota pharmacies and we started saving with our generic drugs.

My wife and Ijust had six prescriptions filled, and if we would have paid regular price, it would have cost us over $700, and with Wal-Mart they came to $44. They take any prescription drug insurance and apply that to the bill. We are retired and on a fixed income and there are a lot of low income families that need this break in our medicines.

Our legislatures need to immediately change the old law that has cause us in North Dakota to pay higher prices for generic drugs. When they change these laws, we can have Wal-Mart or Target pharmacies come in so we can benefit from these lower prices.

We need to put pressure on our legislatures to give North Dakotans the benefits that other states have. Our state is the only one that has this outdated law. Who are these legislatures working for?Us, the people in the state, or the pharmacies that are making all this extra money.

Our doctors worked with us to change our expensive prescriptions to ones that are just as good so we could benefit from these lower prices.

News > Opinion

Printer friendly version Law change needed to help with prescriptions

Comments

FlyOnTheWall wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:37 AM:

" Wal-Mart and Target also charge less for groceries, clothing, housewares, electronics, etc. than 'small-town' stores. Shouldn't the legislature extend the same logic used to keep these evil out-of-state retailers out of the pharmacy business here to these other items? C'mon ... all of our thriving small towns will just dry up and go away eventually if we don't do something now! "

snoller wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:47 PM:

" Yeap, Lipitor is a big advertisor. You'll be paying premium prices to off set the advertising expense. Why should they make a generic brand if they got you taking it for 7 years. Taking a drug for seven years and your problem still exists, does anybody see anything wrong with that picture. Once they got you on it, they can keep feeding you (and you pay) until you die. What do you think about that? That's legal in America. So, why would they make something cheaper. "

JT wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:38 AM:

" How long does a company have a patent on a drug? I've been taking lipitor for about 7 years, still waiting for a generic on that one! "

snoller wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:42 AM:

" I just love to see all this commotion. God never intended us to take drugs, he made herbs for man and grass for animals. You are what you eat. What you put into your body is what is making you sick. Look at all the commercials for these drugs, these commercials aren't cheap. They provide you with all the side effects and everything. This is legal. Look at the times these commercials are on, catch all the soap opera people. Drugs drugs and more drugs are advertised. If you would take all the medication and throw it into the river, it would be a bad day for the fish and a good day for humans. "

Jacki wrote on Sep 22, 2008 7:10 PM:

" I understand the intent of your comment Behind the Times, but you aren't accurate when you say that we are the only state in the world that have these Sunday regulations. Check Bergen County, New Jersey. They don't have ANY stores open on Sundays. South Carolina is also restrictive on Sundays (can't open store until 1:30). Even Texas has a few things restricted on Sunday (car dealerships can't be open on Sundays there). In fact, there are several states that still don't allow liquor sales on Sundays. In regards to this article, I'm really wondering why there is such a big difference in what WalMart can sell drugs for and what pharmacies sell it for. Is it really just certain (price leader) drugs or is it most drugs? "

Waralan wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:24 PM:

" While I do take care of myself, I need a large amount of medication. This is through no fault of my own.
However only 3 of them can be filled by generic equilavents. The rest are brand names.
These account for a large amount of my monthly medical bill. "

GARRY wrote on Sep 22, 2008 6:05 PM:

" Get a load of this! Not to long ago,i was told by 1 of those local pharmacy's-
that they could only give me a 30 day supply,so they could make more money,&
they lost money on a 90 day supply!! Guess what??They don't make any money from me now!!
I think some of these local pharmacy's should be out of bussinesses !! "

Long Gone wrote on Sep 19, 2008 8:18 PM:

" To: RLC wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:24 AM . . . Ohhh! I must have struck a nerve with you! You are assuming I am including you in my profiling of N.D. I guess you would fit into that category with your biased remarks. Enjoy your miserable life in North Dakota! And by the way, I spent 59 years in N.D and wished I would have escaped the cronyism, racism, and the "Good Old Boy" network in North Dakota a long, long time ago. But, I guess it is better late - than never. "

Bengy wrote on Sep 19, 2008 5:35 PM:

" To online editor. Boy are you biased!! "

RLC wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:31 PM:

" For the record, I do wish they'd bring in the generic prescription for $4 thing, I know many elderly people (not counting younger people) that could desperately use it. I too dislike the "noon opening on Sunday's" but I wasn't old enough to vote on it. Can't somone get it back of the ballot? Fight for what you believe in, but don't whine about it. If you don't like it, then yes, move, we all have that freedom. If you want it to change, start the ball rolling. Instead of complaining at a computer about how narrowminded we are, why not do something to change things? Get it on a ballot and see what the people think.
Certain people may call us narrowminded, backwoods, etc. but I for one am proud to be from ND. I have had more compliments from visitors who marvel at the sights and the kindness of the people here. Something to be proud of, that's for sure. "

RLC wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:24 AM:

" To: Long Gone wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:53 AM:
Then why do you keep checking a newspaper from " the small brained, conservative state of North Dakota where the gene pool is at a low point for intelligence and common sense. " If you don't like ND, and have moved, why keep checking back? Seems to me, if you dislike it here, you should cut ties. Or maybe you secretly like us, having come from a "gene pool with a low intelligence and common sense count" yourself. "

haze wrote on Sep 18, 2008 7:33 PM:

" To Behind the Times - you hit the nail on the head with the noon openings on Sunday. THE most ridiculous law ever. If the bible bangers want to head to church and repent on Sundays (after boozing it up Saturday night) - then fine - don't make the rest of us wait until noon to shop. "

My Opinion wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:01 PM:

" To Long Gone: I am so sorry you left. We need people like you who will help move this state into the 1980s or later - the more people who leave, the less likely this state is to ever move forward. I understand the leaving part, I just wish it weren't so backwards here that we lose so many people.

And to those that say - "Move" - I say - I'm Staying to Fight the narrowmindedness, the corruption, the backward ways. "

Long Gone wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:53 AM:

" To: RLC wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:46 AM: . . . I already have moved from the small brained, conservative state of North Dakota where the gene pool is at a low point for intelligence and common sense. My new address in another state that represents progressive thinking and not simply the "status quo." "

Mike R wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Bengy: You and I disagreed on another topic (child support). You stated that I could not come up with any proof to back up anything I said. I offered to provide documented proof of everything I posted to this site - all you had to do was provide a way for me to contact you so I could send you the proof. I never heard from you again - until now. You seem to like to lay in wait and try to ambush me with your attacks. You don't add anything to the conversations - just personal attacks directed at me. Why is that? Please share with me what I have done to offend you so. If I have done something to offend you, I think I deserve to know what it is at least. Let's stop this nonsense and behave like adults - please. "

Jim S wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:31 AM:

" Pill taker, You are right, we need a change in how prescriptions are regulated. Not only for ND but for the country as well. At least when you have Humana you can do mail order and get your prescriptions for $0 co-pay until you reach the donut hole. "

JIm S wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:28 AM:

" Bengy, as we have seen the past few hours personal emails are being hacked. Hacking into someone elses email is a felony. So, being mike is in law enforcement he just saved you a few years in the pen and a life time felony endorsment on your record by making it so you wouldn't have to hack his email. Say thanks Mike. "

pill taker wrote on Sep 18, 2008 10:06 AM:

" To Jim S
I have been contacted by the ND Insurance Commissioner about getting my pills from companies like Humana. You know what. The came pills I am taking I am getting forthe same price and even cheaper here in BIsmarck. They are going to try and get my high blood pressure meds for me. I have not found out how mmuch those are going to cost me yet. You see my Doctor a great guy was giving samples. That is until the Hospital decided that they were losing money and put a stop to it. So, I believe that we need a change in ND. "

Bengy wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:49 AM:

" To MikeR. Why don't you use e-mail for your private conversation? "

RLC wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:46 AM:

" to Behind the Times: last time I checked, there were no fences along the borders of our state. I'm sure if you don't like the way things are there are other states out there you can move to. Yes, some of these things were voted on, but, as I said, there are no fences. Feel free to move. "

Mike R wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:58 AM:

" Jim S: That is going to be my only week-end off during deer season. Not sure I can make it up for the fight. A couple of us might get it a little closer to home. We will see. "

My Opinion wrote on Sep 18, 2008 7:58 AM:

" It's time for this change of law. Not having Rx coverage means paying a fortune for a prescription needed to help with a chronic disease. I also believe that we, the people, should be able to purchase our prescriptions from anywhere in the world for any prescription. That way, we can get the same medicines from Canada, India, etc. at a fraction of the cost. And, these are the same medications that are being sold under their Name Brand for anywhere from $1.00 to $10.00 per pill. It's time the US recognized that prescription costs are prohibiting people from taking medicine that can help them and that means presription costs are killing people. It's time ND stepped into the 21st century and make goods and services available to us at an affordable cost. "

Jim S wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:13 AM:

" MikeR, you are too funny. Will we see you on the 15th of November for the Lezner fight? "

Jim S wrote on Sep 18, 2008 12:12 AM:

" If you are on Medicare and have Humana, you can get your prescriptions via the mail from Humanas pharmacy and pay $0 for them. 30 or 90 days. They will even pay the cost of shipping. "

Mike R wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:37 PM:

" Westerite: Wal-Mart is trying to save me money - and a lot of it. I don't know how that can be seen as an attack, but if being attacked means I save a whole lot of money, then I really do hope to be attacked by a lot of other businesses in the future. "

To Question wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:37 PM:

" The ownership law can be found in the Century Code Section 43-15-35 (5). "

the old navy wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:58 PM:

" To Point to Ponder What???? Can you say that in English? It doesnt make any sense.

Not to defend the drug companies but they do have to recoup their R&D costs. But for 7 to 17 years or however long they hold the patent. They have to make a buck but you wonder how many bucks they make. I guess that is the Free Enterprise system. "

Point to Ponder wrote on Sep 17, 2008 4:56 PM:

" IF you don't like it, then move to Texas, you communist liberals!! Stop expecting the government to help you, you democratic liberals.

Sorry, I wanted to see what it felt like to be like some of the repubo-posters that post comments such as this. Now I have a bad taste in mouth and I need to make a spit up. "

Dave wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:35 PM:

" To Why Drugs: Someday when you have a heart attack or some other health concern that calls for some form of drug, will you turn it away? Seriously. And don't even tell me that you can't have any health problems no matter how "good" of a lifestyle you have. I hope you don't honestly believe that. "

INDEPENDENT wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:11 PM:

" To Why Drugs: you should not have even commented on this. I have had asthma all my life and need drugs to lead a normal life. I also have a child that is on anti-rejection drugs for a birth defect that resulted in an organ transplant. Nothing we can change in our lifestyles will help us combat these illnesses. Neither perscriptions have generic equivalents for me to receive. I do have BCBS to help with the costs, but the costs each month are well into the hundreds. I would go anywhere for the $4 generics if they were available. Regarding traveling to Walmart, or Target from out of town, I bet people from out of town come into Bismarck once or twice a month. "

Behind the Times wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:15 AM:

" North Dakota's Wal-Mart stores are the only stores in the world that have no pharmacies operating inside their businesses and also North Dakota Wal-Mart stores are the only stores in the world that have a Sunday opening of 12:00 noon. All other stores in the world are open 24/7. You can thank the Religious Right for the ridiculous Sunday opening laws. Our state and its Legislature are so backward and behind the curve. Its unbelievable what the citizens in North Dakota have to put up with! Who did you vote for? "

why drugs wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:59 AM:

" why are you on prescription drugs to begin with? Are you not being responsible for your own health? Change your lifestyle and you wont need drugs. "

westerite wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:29 AM:

" This movement does not come from the people. It comes from the Walmarts and Targets of the world. It is an attack on our people and our laws. If rural pharmacies go out of busines and you have to get prescriptions by mail or drive to walmart in the nearest city, what does that save? Walmart gives you $4 prescriptions to get you in the door and spend your money. Period. They do not do it because they care about people, that's for sure. If Walmart has to mail out your drugs you do not get them for $4. You pay relatively the same price as anywher else. Again, they give you the $4 price to get you in the door so you can spend what you normally would on imported crap from China. A change in this law will put pharmacies in rural areas out of business. It is not about competing...it is about monopolizing and taking over. Grumpy is right...this is not about pharmacies. It is about big pharmacueitical companies gouging Americans. People need to step back and really think about what this change would mean and what it will cost them in the long run. Things are not as they seem. "

Question wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:21 AM:

" Can someone tell me section in the Century Code this law can be found? Everyone complains about the "law" but no one cites it for others to check into. I am not saying I am against this issue, I would just like to be able to research it further before coming to a conclusion. Even the TV commercial fails to cite the Century Code, which automatically discredits their ad because it would appear that they have something to hide. "

yep yep wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Walmart takes a loss on the generics then hits the other customers hard who can't get the generics or whose pills don't have generics. They have to make up for the loss on the $4 prescriptions somewhere. "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:55 AM:

" How about going after the pharmaceutical companies that charge exorbitant rates for their products? I'm uninsured so I pay full price for my two prescriptions and shell out $300 a month for them. I don't blame my local pharmacist for this. His costs are sky high on this crap as well. Sure, I'd like to see the generics for $4 a month, but what about those of us who are on medications that have no generic equivalent because of gouging pharm companies?? "

pill taker wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:58 AM:

" I would like to see for once to State Govenor stand up for the little people. Hoven stis in his big office saying how much good he has done for ND. Who is ND has he helped? The rich in ND get richer and poor well you know. The good old boys in ND need to think about how puts all the money in thier pockets. Sure if you pass a law that lets Wal-Mart or Target bring in $4 prescriptions it is going to hurt some small businesses. But, the ones that rteally do not want to the change are the hospitals. They want things to stay just the way they are. It is time for a change. The People of ND need to stand up. "

dvd maker wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:02 AM:

" also..

If the law does change, you will however see alot of your local independent and small town pharmacies go under.
So be prepared to drive further or mail order is you live in a small town. It would also benefit BCBS. They would then be able to pay your pharmacist alot less per prescription as they do in other sates.

If you want this changed, you will need to bring it to a vote of the people. The state legislatures are protecting the pocket books of their local pharmacy owners "

dvd maker wrote on Sep 17, 2008 5:02 AM:

" This issue goes back to the late 60's and early 70's. The state board of pharmacy regulated that in oder to open a pharmacy in ND you must be a pharmacist. Chain pharmacies like Osco and White Drug were grandfathered in with the current number of stores they had at that time. Since then, if you want to open a pharmacy in ND, it must be owned and operated by a pharmacist. This went all the way to the Supreme Court and it was upheld. This prevented your Walmarts and Targets from opening pharmacies in ND, unless the actually pharmacy part of the store war owned by a pharmacist.

The thinking back then was that having a pharmacist own the pharmacy would be a benefit to the public safety.

Don't blame you local staff pharmacist for this. You can blame the pharmacy owners in ND and the state legislature for this. Once again it's the good old boy network in ND.

Back in the early 90's there was an attempt to overturn this at the state legislature. There was only ONE that voted for the change, all the others voted agains it. I clearly remember one of the lawmakers say " just because the rest of the country does it differently doesn't mean we have to"

There has been more support for the change in the recent sessions. But you will get no help from the state board of pharmacy or the ND pharmacy association. Both of these groups are against the change.

I agree. I want to see $4 dollar generics too. "

Post Your Own Comment

All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.