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Cost of drugs

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Luckygirl Wed 06-Sept-17 16:37:59

My OH has been prescribed a brand new PD drug and our dispensing practice said they could not get it - I was puzzled as it has been passed by NICE. It turns out it is because it is too expensive and could lead to the practice being hauled over the coals for overspending. Managed to get it via Boots who ordered it in for us.

We looked up the cost on the net and it is £3 a tablet! - luckily only one a day, but that is £21 a week and over £1000 a year! I am concerned that the drug companies are taking the NHS for a ride - but I guess the development costs of the drug must have been high.

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MawBroon Wed 06-Sept-17 16:54:38

£21 a week is hardly extravagant compared to the massive waste in the NHS let alone the cost of treating him in hospital. You need feel no guilt and yes, the development costs for new drugs can be astronomical.
I have had comments passed in Boots about some of Paws "expensive " drugs. I just shrug and say would you rather have him admitted as an in-patient?

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Norah Wed 06-Sept-17 17:52:46

I think most of the price is down to cost of development.

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wildswan16 Wed 06-Sept-17 17:58:28

£3 a tablet is actually pretty cheap compared to some. I do think all medicines should have the price printed on both the prescription and the box. People have no idea how much things cost and it might stop people wasting their medication and ensure better compliance with treatment.

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Deedaa Wed 06-Sept-17 21:29:15

I think the chemo DH was on for two years was running at about £15,000 a year. If you survived for two years the drug company then provided it free. The weekly injection he's having now is £3,000 at time.

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Nanabilly Wed 06-Sept-17 22:43:32

My son when a lot younger was on some pills that we were told were £69 per pill. In the late 90's

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