VIAGRA NEWS

Source: KXAN-TV

Date: 8-Nov-2007

Prescription drug safety is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but there are no rules on how much customers pay for prescriptions.

As it turns out, the prices customers pay depends on the pharmacies they choose.

KXAN Austin News' Matt Flener conducted price checks by calling local pharmacies and checking prices on the Internet.

Flener checked the costs of three name-brand and two generic drugs in three Austin ZIP codes, finding different prices for the same prescriptions.

At the Apothecary Shop Pharmacy in Northwest Austin, the prices come with personality.

"You're a number at some pharmacies, and here you're a person," said Apothecary Shop customer John Monaghan.

"I am allowed flexibility, because I own the place, whereas they just have to put what's on the computer," said Apothecary Shop pharmacist Tom Schnorr.

Schnorr was referring to chain pharmacies, which ended up being some of the most expensive.

At a Walgreens in Northwest Austin, the generic Zocor costs $64.99. At the Apothecary Shop less than a quarter mile away, the same drug is $18.

Walgreens explains the difference in the level of service.

"Low prices don't do you any good if the pharmacy isn't open when you need it," a company spokesman said in a statement.

"I thank God I have insurance," Monaghan said. "I really feel sorry for people that don't have insurance."

MedSavers Pharmacy claimed some of the lowest prices in the test.

"My full idea with this store was to service the uninsured population of Central Texas," said MedSavers Pharmacy owner Chris Johnson.

Johnson does not accept insurance.

"I would say it's very revolutionary," said Johnson. "I don't have to charge my patients an established price that the insurance company has established. I get to charge them based on what the drug costs me to get."

MedSavers, for instance, boasted a $31.35 price tag for a 30-day supply of generic Flonase. Walgreens, however, had the highest price: $61.99.

"When it comes to pricing, Chris' prices beat others," said MedSavers customer Gary Bruce. "I'm not going to mention other chain prices by 60 percent."

"Usually, no matter what the drug, there's going to be tens, dozens of dollars difference, you know, between pharmacy to pharmacy, so a simple call around will save somebody a lot of money," Johnson said.

Back at the Apothecary Shop, pharmacist Schnorr still boasts about lower prices.

"There are some times where somebody is charged too much," Schnorr said. "I like having Costco, I like having Walgreens down the street, 24 hours. I go home at 6:30 every day, put my key in the lock, and my clients will be taken care of at night."

"I always come here," Monaghan said. "I know when they're open. I know when they're closed, and I know when their lunch hour is."

That comes from knowing the personality and the price.