Chronic Pain Support Group
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Just got back from my CP doc and he was definitely earning his fee today. Not only is there a shortage of MS Contin generic brands, but most insurance companies are not covering the non-generic brand.
I've been on MSC for many years and never had a problem. Today, I was informed at the doc office that most of his patients on that medication were unable to get it. He decided to write my scrip for something that started with a K- Kadian I think, and was the same as MS Contin. But at the pharmacy they told me they had NO generic for it and the regular brand was over 900 dollars!
So back I went and b/c I had already filled the MSIR for in between if needed, he couldn't change THAT dose. And then he said that he'd sent a patient for Oxycontin but they were out of generic on that, too. So he wrote for 30mg MScontin and apologized that he was only giving me half of what I'd normally take & I'd be able to call him if there were ANY troubles.
I take THAT back to pharmacy and I'm told that insurance denied it. I ask why and I'm told that for several weeks, insurance companies have been denying certain generic brands claiming they were substandard.They were not being shipped any longer and it was becoming a huge problem. I could buy the 30mg MSContin for about $150. THEN she said, she HAD the MSC 100mg but not any generic.
Meanwhile, the doc was calling pharmacies in town to see if anyone had my original MSC 100 & no one did. All had same story. Lack of supply AND insurance companies not paying.
The pharmacist tells me that the 100mg she has would cost $300, but compared to the lesser 30mg I need more of, it made more sense to just get him to change it to the mscontin 100 brand name.
Now, I'm literally shaking my head. She then apologized and said that I was very lucky they had the generic version the month before b/c they had none since. And neither did any pharmacy the doc's office called.
Now, I'm taking care of my son while my hubby is at a convention, THEN we're off to visit family in WI which is a 7-8 hour drive, then I get home and leave for Mexico hours later. I can't be trying new meds or worrying that I'd run out of the 30mg that cost over 150 bucks.
So I go back to the doc (thank GOD he's across the street from the pharmacy) and I tell him that she has the 100mg and I'll have to pay for it, but it makes more sense than trying a lower dose that I had to take more of, just until the problem is fixed. He was VERY happy to write me the new scrip because he was already worried about me being in pain or getting sick, and if I didn't mind paying the $300 then he, too, would rather I just got what I've been on for years and not messed around with lower doses and less pills or new meds. He and his staff were dealing with 4 of us who were all dealing with this problem on our meds. Some were MSC, some were oxycontin or Kadian.
The Pharmacist was happy to see I'd be okay, and apologized. She said they just can't get any MSContin generic shipped and insurance companies keep denying the name brands. It's causing a lot of trouble and it's only been since Sept.
I'm posting this b/c as I searched on my phone, I noticed other people posting on boards about the same problem. It's almost as if the Insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies are hand in hand playing a game. But honestly, whoever is causing this, it needs to be taken care of. When not one pharmacy in over 10 is carrying any type of generic MSContin, something is wrong.I was VERY lucky I could afford that medication today, but I won't be able to keep it up every month!
From what I heard at the doctor's office and the pharmacy, this is nationwide and a big problem. I truly hope no one else here is affected by it, but after 3 trips to the pharmacy, I'm exhausted, in pain and late coming home.I figured the least I could do would be to warn anyone on those meds that a shortage is probable. Between the greedy pharmaceutical companies and the greedy insurance companies, who knows how long this will last.
Good Luck- and if anyone is having same trouble, I'd love to hear your take on it. This has to be stopped.
I've been on MSC for many years and never had a problem. Today, I was informed at the doc office that most of his patients on that medication were unable to get it. He decided to write my scrip for something that started with a K- Kadian I think, and was the same as MS Contin. But at the pharmacy they told me they had NO generic for it and the regular brand was over 900 dollars!
So back I went and b/c I had already filled the MSIR for in between if needed, he couldn't change THAT dose. And then he said that he'd sent a patient for Oxycontin but they were out of generic on that, too. So he wrote for 30mg MScontin and apologized that he was only giving me half of what I'd normally take & I'd be able to call him if there were ANY troubles.
I take THAT back to pharmacy and I'm told that insurance denied it. I ask why and I'm told that for several weeks, insurance companies have been denying certain generic brands claiming they were substandard.They were not being shipped any longer and it was becoming a huge problem. I could buy the 30mg MSContin for about $150. THEN she said, she HAD the MSC 100mg but not any generic.
Meanwhile, the doc was calling pharmacies in town to see if anyone had my original MSC 100 & no one did. All had same story. Lack of supply AND insurance companies not paying.
The pharmacist tells me that the 100mg she has would cost $300, but compared to the lesser 30mg I need more of, it made more sense to just get him to change it to the mscontin 100 brand name.
Now, I'm literally shaking my head. She then apologized and said that I was very lucky they had the generic version the month before b/c they had none since. And neither did any pharmacy the doc's office called.
Now, I'm taking care of my son while my hubby is at a convention, THEN we're off to visit family in WI which is a 7-8 hour drive, then I get home and leave for Mexico hours later. I can't be trying new meds or worrying that I'd run out of the 30mg that cost over 150 bucks.
So I go back to the doc (thank GOD he's across the street from the pharmacy) and I tell him that she has the 100mg and I'll have to pay for it, but it makes more sense than trying a lower dose that I had to take more of, just until the problem is fixed. He was VERY happy to write me the new scrip because he was already worried about me being in pain or getting sick, and if I didn't mind paying the $300 then he, too, would rather I just got what I've been on for years and not messed around with lower doses and less pills or new meds. He and his staff were dealing with 4 of us who were all dealing with this problem on our meds. Some were MSC, some were oxycontin or Kadian.
The Pharmacist was happy to see I'd be okay, and apologized. She said they just can't get any MSContin generic shipped and insurance companies keep denying the name brands. It's causing a lot of trouble and it's only been since Sept.
I'm posting this b/c as I searched on my phone, I noticed other people posting on boards about the same problem. It's almost as if the Insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies are hand in hand playing a game. But honestly, whoever is causing this, it needs to be taken care of. When not one pharmacy in over 10 is carrying any type of generic MSContin, something is wrong.I was VERY lucky I could afford that medication today, but I won't be able to keep it up every month!
From what I heard at the doctor's office and the pharmacy, this is nationwide and a big problem. I truly hope no one else here is affected by it, but after 3 trips to the pharmacy, I'm exhausted, in pain and late coming home.I figured the least I could do would be to warn anyone on those meds that a shortage is probable. Between the greedy pharmaceutical companies and the greedy insurance companies, who knows how long this will last.
Good Luck- and if anyone is having same trouble, I'd love to hear your take on it. This has to be stopped.
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Yes, I have the receipt and will be calling AND writing tomorrow. My other meds were $5 each! But come to think of it, my son's inhaler as well over 50 dollars last month. Probably had no generic!
The rumors are flying and I heard a few possibilities. But the pharmacy I use is in a hospital and always well-stocked. (Until today, anyway.) Sounds like a war between insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and also something about the outsourcing of jobs by some companies that make the generic versions. These are now being called inferior. Well, that is one opinion, anyway.
I've about HAD it and will write till my fingers bleed. I've never seen anything quite like it. I was sure scared for awhile. It's finally getting cold here which sets off the RSD worse. I'm praying this shortage is over by next month. Oddly, there was a similar shortage this time last year, though not where I live.
It's certainly an odd and confusing situation. The insurance companies win b/c they don't have to pay, and the pharmaceutical companies win b/c we're forced to buy the non-generic meds. I just don't know.
I did read on another website about other people having trouble getting the MScontin generic. I just hope it's over soon (the shortage) and doesn't affect anyone here.
Current Drug Shortages Index-
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/ucm050792.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Perhaps its a delivery problem to your State?