June 27, 2007 - 3:12pm
I'm not sure which parts of the country this affects (I'm in the Philadelphia metro area), but the Rite Aid takeover of Eckerd is pretty much complete. This saddens me on many levels, primarily because of all the chain pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, etc.) Rite Aid was always at the bottom of my list in terms of service, friendliness, etc., and Eckerd was my favorite. I just always found RA's pharmacists/pharmacy techs unprofessional and went out of my way to avoid going there unless I was desperate.
Anyway, the point of the post is this: For anyone who uses Eckerd to get a monthly controlled substance/pain med script filled (like me), please be aware that, according to 4 out of 4 nearby Eckerds I contacted, they are "three to four weeks behind" on orders, specifically those for narcotics, due to "licensing issues" related to the takeover. I get a monthly script for #60 OxyContin 20mg, and none of the stores I called had the brand OC's in stock. One store had some generic (Watson!) left, but not enough to fill my script. (That was the other thing I liked about Eckerd - they seemed to stay away from stocking Teva generic products, which I avoid like the plague.)
I don't think we're that far away from a day when there will be only ONE pharmacy that serves the entire country.
I weep for the future.
June 27, 2007 - 5:24pm
#2
Teva's generic products,
Teva's generic products, particularly their generic OxyContin, are notoriously lousy - in my opinion and in the opinion of a lot of other users here - at least according to the posts I've read on the topic. The first (and last) time I received a script for their OC's, not only did they not work, they actually made me feel like I was going through some type of opiate withdrawal. I don't know if it's the fillers they use, or what, but they just do not "work" for my back pain. I've never had a problem with any of the other former OC generics manufactured by Watson or Endo. In addition, their generic Zoloft (sertraline) had a similar effect on me, which is why I stay away from anything they make.
You may have no problem with them at all, but in addition to the users here, I've spoken with several pharmacists on the issue, and they all said they've had similar complaints from other customers about Teva's products, in particular, their generic Oxy's.
June 27, 2007 - 5:42pm
#3
The pharmacy I go to only
The pharmacy I go to only stocks the Tevas. I might look to go to another pharmacy when I fill my prescription next month. This is my first experience with taking extended release oxycodone or any opiate for that matter. I have only been taking the Teva brand for a month and half, they are fine thus far but maybe they don't work so well after extended use. Thanks for the input.
What pharmacies do carry other generic brand names other than Tevas? Thanks.
June 27, 2007 - 6:30pm
#4
Controlled Sustance scripts; inventory
Good evening, just a quick little 2 cents worth of info. Most of the time (NOT ALL) but, most of the time if you call a pharmacy and ask about certain controlled substances being in stock (especially schedule 2) they will say they don't have any simply not to set themselves up for a robbery or burglary. Most pharmacies are going to have all strenghts of Oxycontin in stock (probably name and generic) so, you need to walk in with your script to know for sure. If a pharmacy is truely out of a med. your best bet to find one (med) in stock is at a pharmacy near a hospital and open 24 hours. Most 24 hr locations always have a good supply (of usually everything). The last thing is that if you take your paper script into a pharmacy they will call their other locations and get a "honest" answer as stock and quantity. I hope this has/will help!
The information that i reply to is to the best of my knowledge so, please seek professional & personal (1 on 1 ) advice when there is doubt. Thanks, pharmeroz:)
June 27, 2007 - 6:36pm
#5
Thanks, much appreciated.
Thanks, much appreciated. Will ask my pharmacist when I get a chance about other CVS that may carry other generic brands. Also, do you know what the price difference would be if I got the name brand oxycontin over the generics. My copay for the generic prescription is $5. That is pretty cheap, but the name brand might not be covered or might be much more expensive. Thanks.
June 27, 2007 - 8:01pm
#6
Unfortunately, due to
Unfortunately, due to copyright infringement issues, the only generic manufacturer still allowed to ship generic OxyContin is Teva (and I believe DAVA may also still ship, although I've never seen or taken one, understand is about the same quality as Teva), and even they (Teva) will cease making generic OxyContin tabs by the end of the year. This is why most pharmacies only have Teva available for generic OC's. If you're lucky enough to run into a pharmacy that still has some Watson or Endo generic product available, you're getting what is basically the end of the supply. Neither Watson or Endo manufacture Oxycodone HCL Extended Release tabs any longer.
The whole sordid story as to why Purdue, the original and "brand" manufacturer of OxyContin, will soon be again the only available OC product, is easily available in previous posts on this site, or you can just do a Google search for the explanation. Basically, the generic companies agreed to stop manufacturing generic OxyContin to avoid paying damages in several lawsuits initiated by Purdue for patent infringement.
As far as cost goes, that all depends upon your particular insurance company and what they cover. OC is a notoriously expensive medication. I don't have health insurance, and usually pay between $230-$290 for 60 tabs of OxyContin 20mg. When I was getting the Watson and Endo generics, the price was still pretty high - maybe about $100 less at the most. Walgreens.com is a pretty good chain pharmacy site as far as giving a general idea on pricing between different strengths and generic vs. brand medications.
It's a really screwed up situation, and I've heard many different versions as far as the reasoning behind all of this. But I do hope my synopsis helps somewhat!
June 30, 2007 - 8:18pm
#7
you don't only have to go to
you don't only have to go to CVS, try another pharm all together, like Walgreens, or a local grocery pharm. I was at CVS and found out my script was 1/2 as much at Kroger. If you have a pain contract all you have to do is choose where you want to switch, let your doc know that you want another pharm as your primary, and the next time you come in they can have you sign a new contract. Doctors understand that different pharms have dif. stuff and prices so many of them have no problem as long as you just keep them informed.
I'm a social worker, not a medical professional. All comments and thoughts are simply my opinion and experience.
This might be off topic but I noticed you said "you avoid Teva products like the plague,"
Well, I recently have been put on #90 oxycontin 20mg and have been having my prescription filled at CVS where they only have Teva as their generic supply. I am missing something? Are Tevas not a good generic substitute for the brand name oxycontin? Any feedback would be great as I would look to have my next month's supply filled somwhere else that might have another generic brand. Thanks.