Assignment Directions
Choose a prescription drug that has a generic available. Choose three different types of pharmacies. Examples:
- Large chain pharmacy such as Walgreens, CVS, Eckards, etc.
- Grocery store associate pharmacy such as Publix, Krogers, etc.
- Privately owned local pharmacy
- Pharmacy associated with a “big box” store such as Target, Walmart, etc.
- Online pharmacy (must be in the United States)
Do not use any drugs on the pharmacy’s four dollar or other special price list. If the pharmacy has a “club card” or other special way of getting lower cost, do not use this cost.
Compare the cash cost of the brand and the generic making sure that the dose (milligrams, micrograms, etc.) and number of pills are the same.
Example: Synthroid .05 milligrams and levothyroxine .05 milligrams, prescription for 30 pills.
For over-the-counter products, use identical products including formulation (liquid, capsules, etc.), dose (mgs per tablet, mgs per cc, etc.) and size of packaging (20 tablets in the box, 90cc fluid in the bottle, etc.). Try to avoid products that contain multiple ingredients like cold preparations as these are hard to compare due to differing quantities of ingredients within each product.
Example: Benadryl (brand) 25 mg per capsule, 25 capsules per bottle and diphenhydramine (generic) 25 mg per capsule, 25 capsules bottle.
Cash Price at Pharmacy A | Cash Price at Pharmacy B | Cash Price at Pharmacy C | |
Brand name prescription drug | |||
Generic of above prescription drug | |||
Over-the-counter drug | |||
Generic or store brand of the over-the-counter drug used above |
Attached is an EXAMPLE only. You could use that medication but it MUST have 3 pharmacies not just two. And needs more details.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As part of this assignment, you are required to choose a prescription drug that has a generic available and compare the cash prices of the brand and generic versions at three different types of pharmacies. In addition, you will compare the prices of the over-the-counter drug and its generic or store brand at the same pharmacies. By completing this assignment, you will gain a better understanding of how the prices of medications vary at different types of pharmacies in the United States.
Answer:
For this assignment, I have chosen the prescription drug, Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) 10mg. The three types of pharmacies I have chosen to compare the cash prices at are Walgreens (large chain pharmacy), Publix (supermarket pharmacy), and a privately owned local pharmacy.
Brand Name Price:
– Walgreens: $288.99 for 30 tablets
– Publix: $291.00 for 30 tablets
– Local pharmacy: $287.99 for 30 tablets
Generic Price:
– Walgreens: $9.47 for 30 tablets
– Publix: $12.00 for 30 tablets
– Local pharmacy: $10.47 for 30 tablets
Over-the-Counter Price (Brand and Generic):
– Walgreens: Benadryl (brand) 25mg per capsule, 24 capsules per bottle for $5.49 and Wal-Dryl (generic) 25mg per capsule, 24 capsules per bottle for $4.99
– Publix: Benadryl (brand) 25mg per capsule, 24 capsules per bottle for $6.29 and Publix Allergy (generic) 25mg per capsule, 24 capsules per bottle for $4.89
– Local pharmacy: Benadryl (brand) 25mg per capsule, 24 capsules per bottle for $5.99 and Diphenhydramine (generic) 25mg per capsule, 24 capsules per bottle for $4.99
Overall, the prices of Lipitor varied significantly between the three types of pharmacies, with the brand name version being significantly more expensive than the generic version. The prices of the over-the-counter medications also varied between the different pharmacies, with some generics being cheaper than the brand name versions.
