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Medco - Not trust worthy
avalide 150/12.5 - Complaint
Review by gyfw123 on 2012-10-24
Rating: 
WILLINGBORO NJ 08046, NEW JERSEY -- My husband is on avalide for his blood pressure over the last 10 years, it was always brand name by Bristol Myers Squibb ( BMS ),the only company for brand name, unfortunately generic came out 2 months ago, it was a mail order through our insurance, I had already indicated that we wanted brand name and willing to pay more copay, they said fine and I also verified that would be BMS, today we got the medication, the bottle was not from BMS, also the label said BMS : Sanofi ( the company that provide the generic of avalide ) I called both company, BMS told me that they only have 30 pills and 90 pills bottle, we used to get the 90 pills bottle from BMS, Medco told me that they don't have to give the bottle from BMS, they also got it from some where else, I just have to trust them that it is brand name. When we compared the pill, it looked the same, but Sanofi told me that the generic they make is exactly the same as BMS, by now, I concluded and guessed that they gave the generic from Sanofi and try to charge us for brand name money, I would say stay out from this company, in 2004, they had a law suit by 20 states, if you have time, look it up from Google, similar problem and they paid $ 155 million, I encourage you to report about this company.
Comments:
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-10-24:
You concluded that they *could* have made a substitution, but did you conclude that they actually did?
I used Medco for 4 years for my mom with no problems at all. Like any pharmacy, they often package things in their own bottles. I remember getting a discount on 3 month supplies, when the medication could be supplied that way.
I was also an investor in Medco for a few years, and did very well. My opinion is it is an excellent company. The lawsuit 8 years ago is not related to your suspicion of what could have happened in your case.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/27/business/medco-to-pay-29.3-million-to-settle-complaints-of-drug-switching.html
Note that a settlement was reached and Medco did not admit to any wrongdoing.
When you say you encourage others to "report about this company," what does that mean?
I used Medco for 4 years for my mom with no problems at all. Like any pharmacy, they often package things in their own bottles. I remember getting a discount on 3 month supplies, when the medication could be supplied that way.
I was also an investor in Medco for a few years, and did very well. My opinion is it is an excellent company. The lawsuit 8 years ago is not related to your suspicion of what could have happened in your case.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/27/business/medco-to-pay-29.3-million-to-settle-complaints-of-drug-switching.html
Note that a settlement was reached and Medco did not admit to any wrongdoing.
When you say you encourage others to "report about this company," what does that mean?
Posted by radar1857 on 2012-10-24:
We had Medco through my wife's employer for 13 years. Had nothing but trouble with them. For the last 3 years they would call our home on every refill to "verify our address". We've lived in the same house for 14 years. Sometimes they would call 3 or 4 times in one day for the same prescription. Thankfully my wife retired and we have a new mail order pharmacy.
Posted by Bill on 2012-10-24:
Our family uses Medco and never had a problem.
Most generic drugs will differ slightly from the brand name to differentiate the two. Compare the pills and see if they're slightly different. Usually it's just the color or shape.
Most generic drugs will differ slightly from the brand name to differentiate the two. Compare the pills and see if they're slightly different. Usually it's just the color or shape.
Posted by Jeeves! Where is my tea? on 2012-10-24:
Wow, that would be confusing. When we are use to receiving something one way then all of a sudden it comes another. Especially medication for someone we love. A lot people aren't aware of what they are taking.
But I think all is well Bristol-Myers is in partnership with the other company.
Distributed by:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi-Synthelabo Partnership
New York, New York 10016.
But I think all is well Bristol-Myers is in partnership with the other company.
Distributed by:
Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi-Synthelabo Partnership
New York, New York 10016.
Posted by CowboyFan on 2012-10-24:
I have never seen a generic that looked like the brand name product. My belief is that it is illegal to do so, under government regulations. Saying the generic is the same as the brand name, does not imply that they would look the same.
Posted by rxgirl on 2012-10-24:
It is becoming increasingly more common for the Brand name company to package the exact same medication in a generic bottle, through a "generic partner". This was the company makes money either way. Instead of losing money to the generic competition they will make their money either way.
Some examples off the top of my head
Tegretol XR and generic Tegretol XR
Protonix and one of the versions of Generic Protonix
Percocet and Endocet (same brand name manufacturer makes both).
If you look at the stock bottle of the generic sometimes you will see Manufactured by BMS and distributed by Sanofi-Pasteur etc
So it is possible that you can technically get the brand name drug at the generic price when the patent expires because many companies have these exclusive agreements (especially when the generic first becomes available), win for the company either way, could be a win for the patient as well.
Disclaimer this does not apply to all generic medications always double check with your pharmacy.
Also sometimes when a generic becomes available and the PATIENT insists on continuing on the brand name even if the doctor agrees to the generic, it is not a matter of simply paying the higher Brand Name co-pay, sometimes you have to pay the FULL cash price. Hope this helps explain some of the behind the scenes things that go on in pharmacy, I do not work for MEDCO
Some examples off the top of my head
Tegretol XR and generic Tegretol XR
Protonix and one of the versions of Generic Protonix
Percocet and Endocet (same brand name manufacturer makes both).
If you look at the stock bottle of the generic sometimes you will see Manufactured by BMS and distributed by Sanofi-Pasteur etc
So it is possible that you can technically get the brand name drug at the generic price when the patent expires because many companies have these exclusive agreements (especially when the generic first becomes available), win for the company either way, could be a win for the patient as well.
Disclaimer this does not apply to all generic medications always double check with your pharmacy.
Also sometimes when a generic becomes available and the PATIENT insists on continuing on the brand name even if the doctor agrees to the generic, it is not a matter of simply paying the higher Brand Name co-pay, sometimes you have to pay the FULL cash price. Hope this helps explain some of the behind the scenes things that go on in pharmacy, I do not work for MEDCO
Posted by madconsumer on 2012-10-24:
at my company, we were forced to use medco. one employee sent in his 3 month prescription, and they sent him a medicine that would have killed him had he taken it. fortunately, he verified what was sent and did not take it. medco claimed his script was for that medicine, until his doctor proved it was not what was prescribed. needless to say, my company used them for one year, and after many complaints, they severed the relationship with medco.
very helpful review!
very helpful review!
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