Cheaper prescriptions thread [No imports discussion]

Lillian123

www.healthwave.ie

former legend

Lillian123 wrote: »

For any people who buy their prescriptions privately, there is some huge savings to be made from this new pharmacy opened in Dundrum called HealthWave. You pay €25 for a yearly membership and you are then entitled to buy any amount of prescriptions in a year.

There is particularly good savings for a range of different drugs, def worth a look if your monthly cost currently comes under the DPS limit of €144. Some drugs such as the pill are 50% cheaper and if you buy more than 1 month upfront it is cheaper.

Here is a link to their website and some of the prices:

http://www.healthwave.ie/clubprice

:)

On the basis of that pricelist anyway, the pill is not any cheaper than getting it elsewhere.

Certainly there seems to be savings for generic drugs but for non-generics you're going to be paying the same as you would in a conventional pharmacy.

Lillian123

Well my pill is €7 cheaper a month!!

former legend wrote: »

On the basis of that pricelist anyway, the pill is not any cheaper than getting it elsewhere.

Certainly there seems to be savings for generic drugs but for non-generics you're going to be paying the same as you would in a conventional pharmacy.

Soarer

former legend wrote: »

On the basis of that pricelist anyway, the pill is not any cheaper than getting it elsewhere.

Certainly there seems to be savings for generic drugs but for non-generics you're going to be paying the same as you would in a conventional pharmacy.

Not true.

They're €10 cheaper for my Symbicort than my local pharmacy (€60 as against €70).

My monthly prescription usually runs to €156, of which I pay €144 and the DPS pays €12.

I contacted my local pharmacy about swapping some branded for generics, and with what they could change, it brought my bill down to €135. So yer man said "but for the sake of the €9, you'd be as well off staying with the branded drugs!".

Contacted Healthwave and using the same stipulations as above, they came in at €90.75! So they'd save me €53.25 per month and save the government €12. One of the generics were €7.95 and my local one wanted €32 for the same generic! :mad:

Unfortunately they're in Dublin and I'm in Cork. And An Post can't/won't handle drugs, so I'm stumped until they open in Cork.

Could they dispense a 6 month perscription in one go? It'd be worth the drive up to Dublin if they could.

Lillian123

Could they dispense a 6 month perscription in one go? It'd be worth the drive up to Dublin if they could.[/QUOTE]

Yes they said they can dispense a 6 month prescription in one go, as long as there is 6 months left on the prescription so it might be worth your while travelling up

I just bought 3 months from the Tesco pharmacy in Tallaght and they were the cheapest prices I could find at the time but HealthWave are still about €25 cheaper per month. Its about time prescription drugs come down in price as all the cost has been passed onto the consumer with the increase in the threshold of the DPS to €144.

vicwatson

So yer man said "but for the sake of the €9, you'd be as well off staying with the branded drugs!".

This is bull...perhaps he makes more on branded drugs over generic ones

schemingbohemia

Looks good for me anyway, thanks OP.

Satriale

vicwatson wrote: »

This is bull...perhaps he makes more on branded drugs over generic ones

E9 per month is E108 per annum, almost one months worth of free medication. Advice not to benefit the customer, i think.

RainyDay

former legend wrote: »

Certainly there seems to be savings for generic drugs but for non-generics you're going to be paying the same as you would in a conventional pharmacy.

Not in my experience. I checked with Boots last month about switching to generics, and they told me there was no saving. Healthwave offered me the branded product a €10 a month less than Boots, and generic at €20 less than boots - so a net saving of over €200 per annum.

Webbs

Soarer wrote: »

Not true.

They're €10 cheaper for my Symbicort than my local pharmacy (€60 as against €70).

My monthly prescription usually runs to €156, of which I pay €144 and the DPS pays €12.

I contacted my local pharmacy about swapping some branded for generics, and with what they could change, it brought my bill down to €135. So yer man said "but for the sake of the €9, you'd be as well off staying with the branded drugs!".

Contacted Healthwave and using the same stipulations as above, they came in at €90.75! So they'd save me €53.25 per month and save the government €12. One of the generics were €7.95 and my local one wanted €32 for the same generic! :mad:

Unfortunately they're in Dublin and I'm in Cork. And An Post can't/won't handle drugs, so I'm stumped until they open in Cork.

Could they dispense a 6 month perscription in one go? It'd be worth the drive up to Dublin if they could.

Have you priced your drugs in the North? It may be worth your while making a trip every 6months to go and pick them up from there?

I save almost 800 euro a year doing it this way.

Only

Webbs wrote: »

Have you priced your drugs in the North? It may be worth your while making a trip every 6months to go and pick them up from there?

I save almost 800 euro a year doing it this way.

Will they accept a prescription from the Republic?
I tried getting some prescriptions filled in Spain / Portugal before and they would only sell me the drugs that are otc there - they said I needed a prescription from the relevant country

pjproby

they will accept a prescription from the Republic but you may find that some drugs. even generics are not available up north, or are not available as prescribed.

StaticNoise

Yep, Tesco Pharmacy is still cheaper for me. By around a tenner compared to the medicine on offer on HealthWave, and by far more compared to the bricks and mortar local pharmacy.

Plus, my generic is from an Irish company.

RichardoKhan

Isnt the real question here WHY is it so expensive here in the first place? & here's the humdinger of a rider half of these drugs are made here............

uck51js9zml2yt

People forget when comparing prices to the UK/NI that the NHS subsidises the cost of medication heavily unlike here.

Yes I know there are huge markups on stuff as well but we compare different systems.

Also in Spain/Portugal drugs are cheaper but wages are a lot lower with the average wage being 350 - 500 per month(there are some exceptions).

RainyDay

RichardoKhan wrote: »

Isnt the real question here WHY is it so expensive here in the first place? & here's the humdinger of a rider half of these drugs are made here............

Possibly because the Irish govt is afraid to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry here, given that the pharmaceutical industry is such a large employer. It also suits the pharmaceutical industry to have higher prices in one country, as they can go round the rest of Europe (i.e. the really large markets that really matter) and say 'Oh we're giving you a huge discount on our standard price, the price that those dumb Paddies pay'

former legend

RainyDay wrote: »

Possibly because the Irish govt is afraid to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry here, given that the pharmaceutical industry is such a large employer. It also suits the pharmaceutical industry to have higher prices in one country, as they can go round the rest of Europe (i.e. the really large markets that really matter) and say 'Oh we're giving you a huge discount on our standard price, the price that those dumb Paddies pay'

Not really. The price of medicines which are still under patent is roughly the same as in other northern European countries.

Where the gap really emerges is in the cost of generic medicines, which are far more expensive here than elsewhere, but none (or very few) of them are made in Ireland.

moodrater

The whole generic thing can be pretty murky, family member was given generic rosuvastatin lately, checked the 'manufacturer' - office registered in ireland, banking in iceland, product sourced from one of three locations in india/far east. Theres a fine chain of responsibility. Needless to say they went back and were replaced with rosuva from rowex.

fearcruach

moodrater wrote: »

The whole generic thing can be pretty murky, family member was given generic rosuvastatin lately, checked the 'manufacturer' - office registered in ireland, banking in iceland, product sourced from one of three locations in india/far east. Theres a fine chain of responsibility. Needless to say they went back and were replaced with rosuva from rowex.

I wouldn't be overly worried about where products are sourced from. All pharmaceutical companies, branded and generic, are worldwide behemoths. You can be guaranteed that the bulk drug comes from India/China for nearly every product and the process of filling it into tablets happens in Ireland/UK etc. So what may seem as an Irish sourced product might not necessarily be.

This isn't a criticism of buying Irish (if any part of the manufacturing process is in Ireland, then that's great) but just don't think it's 100% Irish.

Nonoperational

vicwatson wrote: »

This is bull...perhaps he makes more on branded drugs over generic ones

fearcruach wrote: »

I wouldn't be overly worried about where products are sourced from. All pharmaceutical companies, branded and generic, are worldwide behemoths. You can be guaranteed that the bulk drug comes from India/China for nearly every product and the process of filling it into tablets happens in Ireland/UK etc. So what may seem as an Irish sourced product might not necessarily be.

This isn't a criticism of buying Irish (if any part of the manufacturing process is in Ireland, then that's great) but just don't think it's 100% Irish.

That's not really true to be fair.

td2008

Got mine last week - 84 instead of the 144. Both drugs are non-generic. NI was around 100 euro

ted1

moodrater wrote: »

The whole generic thing can be pretty murky, family member was given generic rosuvastatin lately, checked the 'manufacturer' - office registered in ireland, banking in iceland, product sourced from one of three locations in india/far east. Theres a fine chain of responsibility. Needless to say they went back and were replaced with rosuva from rowex.

Was there an issue with the actual drug?

moodrater

ted1 wrote: »

Was there an issue with the actual drug?

I didn't have my mass spectrometer on me to check, the point is why would you buy from some dodgy ltd holding company banking offshore with a telephone in an office in dublin, that could evaporate overnight if you can get the same thing from a company thats been in ireland paying taxes since 1959.

ted1

moodrater wrote: »

I didn't have my mass spectrometer on me to check, the point is why would you buy from some dodgy ltd holding company banking offshore with a telephone in an office in dublin, that could evaporate overnight if you can get the same thing from a company thats been in ireland paying taxes since 1959.

Not sure if there is a pill for xenophobia.


Drugs for sale in Ireland are heavily controlled that's part if the cost as they need to be trialled and licenced here.

Do you only where Aran jumpers or do you wear imported clothes?


You do know that generics are also made here. Clonmel healthcare would be an example of a generic pill maker

L1011

The main Indian drug firm, who do actually have manufacturing ops here, have been indicated in some MASSIVE criminal activities:
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/05/15/ranbaxy-fraud-lipitor/

Most of the far off manufactured drugs on sale here are parallel/secondary market imports rather than generics as it stands.

daytob

moodrater wrote: »

I didn't have my mass spectrometer on me to check, the point is why would you buy from some dodgy ltd holding company banking offshore with a telephone in an office in dublin, that could evaporate overnight if you can get the same thing from a company thats been in ireland paying taxes since 1959.

what? adobe, apple, and all other multi nationals do this, having one certain part means they avail of the tax perks.

Atlantic Dawn

moodrater wrote: »

The whole generic thing can be pretty murky, family member was given generic rosuvastatin lately, checked the 'manufacturer' - office registered in ireland, banking in iceland, product sourced from one of three locations in india/far east. Theres a fine chain of responsibility. Needless to say they went back and were replaced with rosuva from rowex.

Your argument is the same as refusing petrol from Saudi Arabia because you prefer the fuel from Nigeria.

RainyDay

fearcruach wrote: »

You can be guaranteed that the bulk drug comes from India/China for nearly every product

There are some active ingredients made here. I was in a warehouse space of one manufacturer in Cork, about the size of a two-car garage. They told me that the value of stock in the room was about half a billion euro - active ingredient waiting to be shipped around the world.

former legend wrote: »

Where the gap really emerges is in the cost of generic medicines, which are far more expensive here than elsewhere, but none (or very few) of them are made in Ireland.

What about Clonmel Healthcare? What about Mylan?

toyotaavensis

Jonathan Nervous Muscle wrote: »

People forget when comparing prices to the UK/NI that the NHS subsidises the cost of medication heavily unlike here.

Yes I know there are huge markups on stuff as well but we compare different systems.

Also in Spain/Portugal drugs are cheaper but wages are a lot lower with the average wage being 350 - 500 per month(there are some exceptions).

Are you for real? People in spain earn less than here but 350 per month is 4200 a year. Do your numbers again lad.

eddhorse

I think all the arguments here are flawed, just let people choose where they want to get their drugs !
Thanks for the link OP, heard about this guy on the radio a few months back.
He is trying to bring the prices down himself after working in an Irish pharmacy.
Fair play to him.

maringo

Why not use Parcel Motel if An Post won't deliver? Save a lot on petrol and no travelling.

L1011

maringo wrote: »

Why not use Parcel Motel if An Post won't deliver? Save a lot on petrol and no travelling.

Who do you intend to have deliver it from the pharmacy to PM in the first place?

Simple fact is that they don't offer deliveries anyway.

former legend

maringo wrote: »

Why not use Parcel Motel if An Post won't deliver? Save a lot on petrol and no travelling.

It's not an An Post policy; mail order of prescription medicines is illegal.

Lillian123

Health wave are fully licensed and under the Irish medicines board. This is just a bargain alert not a debate forum on generics!

SteM

Only wrote: »

Will they accept a prescription from the Republic?
I tried getting some prescriptions filled in Spain / Portugal before and they would only sell me the drugs that are otc there - they said I needed a prescription from the relevant country

Yes they will. My Dad goes up to Newry on the train with his free pass once a month and the pharmacy there dispenses his prescription. He said he sees the same people on the train every month and they all do the same thing. They go straight from the train station to the pharmacy together, then go for a cup of tea while they wait for the train back to Dublin. He now saves approx 80e per month doing this.

The lady in the pharmacy in Newry told him that they get a huge amount of business from the south.

It saddens me that Irish people that have worked hard all their lives are forced into doing this to be honest. God knows what would happen is they stopped free travel to Newry!

Soarer

Is Newry cheaper than Healthwave?

RainyDay

Soarer wrote: »

Is Newry cheaper than Healthwave?

Not for me, but it depends on your particular products - so get prices from both and see.

UncleChael

SteM wrote: »

Yes they will. My Dad goes up to Newry on the train with his free pass once a month and the pharmacy there dispenses his prescription. He said he sees the same people on the train every month and they all do the same thing. They go straight from the train station to the pharmacy together, then go for a cup of tea while they wait for the train back to Dublin. He now saves approx 80e per month doing this.

The lady in the pharmacy in Newry told him that they get a huge amount of business from the south.

It saddens me that Irish people that have worked hard all their lives are forced into doing this to be honest. God knows what would happen is they stopped free travel to Newry!

I done this for a while too when I was on some medication. The monthly cost of the meds in Newry was a fifth of what it was in Dublin. Saved myself a fortune buying a 3 month prescription!

SnappyDresser

Used healthwave.ie to get my cholesterol tablets and they were very very cheap :O) :O)
I paid €25 plus €59.50 for 6 months supply. Compare that with ~€195 in the pharmacy for my meds so a huge saving. No queuing, no hassle. Just quick and cheap! Highly recommended!

00sully

I'll add my name to the list.

I've saved more than 50 % easy using healthwave.ie. Absolutely recommended!

cygnet

for people on the Northside - this pharmacy has published its very good prices

http://www.dublinpeople.com/assets/graphics/publications/Northside%20People%20(East)%20March%2026th%202014.pdf

page 23

fulhamfan

I travelled to Newry with a script for six different items. They said GP's in the North are required to prescribe generic medicines and as mine were nearly all non-generic they could not provide. When i asked that they give me the generic they said they were unable to substitute and in the end, it really was not worth my while as only got 2 of the 6 items and only two months not six months worth. Moral of the story, we are being ripped off, GP's are not required to prescribe generics as they are in the North and save from some epileptic drugs, generics should be the order of the day. I'm off to sign to Health Wave as the North was of little use unless your on generics!!!!!!

Millem

I looked into health wave but decided to chance tesco pharmacy, they were only 50c more expensive than health wave and didn't have to pay the €25 membership! (It was for a 3 month perscription)

RainyDay

cygnet wrote: »

for people on the Northside - this pharmacy has published its very good prices

http://www.dublinpeople.com/assets/graphics/publications/Northside%20People%20(East)%20March%2026th%202014.pdf

page 23

Their generic prices look very similar to Healthwave - looks like a new floor for the market has been set.

fulhamfan wrote: »

I travelled to Newry with a script for six different items. They said GP's in the North are required to prescribe generic medicines and as mine were nearly all non-generic they could not provide. When i asked that they give me the generic they said they were unable to substitute and in the end, it really was not worth my while as only got 2 of the 6 items and only two months not six months worth. Moral of the story, we are being ripped off, GP's are not required to prescribe generics as they are in the North and save from some epileptic drugs, generics should be the order of the day. I'm off to sign to Health Wave as the North was of little use unless your on generics!!!!!!

It depends on which specific drugs are involved. I wouldn't say that the North is of little use, or that Healthwave is best for everybody - but check out the prices before you travel, and choose the best option for you.

The Irish govt has brought in regulations about prescribing generics for the top 10 sellers, and is working on the next set of drugs.

jamesd

Wife went generic on her 6 months persc and saved €400 total so a great saving for 6 months worth. Well worth the spin to dublin.

markc1184

Are the items on the price list on the website only what's available or is that just an example of some?

00sully

markc1184 wrote: »

Are the items on the price list on the website only what's available or is that just an example of some?

Seems to be examples of popular drugs listed. Mine weren't listed so I contacted them and they had them for significantly cheaper!

keno-daytrader

Millem wrote: »

I looked into health wave but decided to chance tesco pharmacy, they were only 50c more expensive than health wave and didn't have to pay the €25 membership! (It was for a 3 month perscription)

Hi, do the few Tesco pharmas in Ireland post drug prices? Im tired of being ripped off for blood pressure tablets.

RainyDay

keno-daytrader wrote: »

Hi, do the few Tesco pharmas in Ireland post drug prices? Im tired of being ripped off for blood pressure tablets.

Did you check Healthwave? I just saved €20 per month (more than 50% of price) on my BP tablets.

Millem

keno-daytrader wrote: »

Hi, do the few Tesco pharmas in Ireland post drug prices? Im tired of being ripped off for blood pressure tablets.

Don't think so! I went to tallaght such good value

johnwd

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Your argument is the same as refusing petrol from Saudi Arabia because you prefer the fuel from Nigeria.

I think the posters argument is the same as buying a rolex from a reputable jeweller vs buying one from a guy on the street with a suitcase. I'd steer well clear of drugs that didn't have a very clear chain to them if something goes wrong. Corps with ltd. cos. locally are different ... kinda ... you know you'll probably get sorted if theres a problem but I guess if their products started blowing up and killing people we'd find that we'd have to seek comp from the IRL Ltd co. rather than the parent co. and that's where the liabilities would end.