Prices for medication in DR

May 20, 2012
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Hello all,

I have bought my Diabetes medication (VICTOZA) for about US$60 per pluma (pen for injection) in South America.

In Punta Cana the best price I can find is about double. Even if I offer to buy with cash in bulk, they will only drop price 10%.

My question: does the price of medication depend on what city and/or pharmacy in the DR? Anyone know where would have the best price?

This medication I need lifelong and daily. So it would be worth my while to find the best place to by it. Next trip to SA I can stock up somewhat, but it it does need refrigeration, so it's not best solution.

Price in USA absolutely insane btw, so that isn't option.
Thanks!!
 

SantiagoDR

The "REAL" SantiagoDR
Jan 12, 2006
5,812
950
113
I have found that they all use the computer now and thus usually all have the same exact price.
(Sometimes referred to as price fixing in some countries)

Try the People's (I think it is government ran) drug stores, if they have it, it could be cheaper.
I forgot the Spanish name for them. Some are located at or near the hospitals.
Their stock of drugs carried is more limited.
 
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KateP

Silver
May 28, 2004
2,845
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Unfortunately there aren?t any government run pharmacies in Punta Cana. *The ones with lower prices are usually in Veron. *Always ask also if they have it under another name but the same composition.
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
31,266
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farmacias del pueblo only carry basic medicine, liraglutide is not on their list.

prices of meds throughout DR are fairly uniform so i doubt it can be found that much cheaper elsewhere.

your better shot is to find the distributor of this particular lab (novo nordisk) and buy directly from them. they may be willing to sell a larger supply.
 

irishpaddy

Bronze
Sep 3, 2013
1,169
466
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I bought it for about $100 us at a super market in urbanization real and it was roughly the same price at a pharmacy in the colonial zone
in the U.S.A. I pay $20 for 3 pens with my insurance ...but the last trip left it in the fridge by mistake
 

santa110xyz

Active member
Oct 25, 2005
571
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ask people to bring them to you. the DR has ridicules prices for medicine. there is no other way...
 
May 20, 2012
298
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farmacias del pueblo only carry basic medicine, liraglutide is not on their list.

prices of meds throughout DR are fairly uniform so i doubt it can be found that much cheaper elsewhere.

your better shot is to find the distributor of this particular lab (novo nordisk) and buy directly from them. they may be willing to sell a larger supply.
Thanks for this suggestion. Couple of questions: what quantity do you think would qualify as a large supply? And any advice on how to contact them? Thanks*
 
May 20, 2012
298
0
16
I bought it for about $100 us at a super market in urbanization real and it was roughly the same price at a pharmacy in the colonial zone
in the U.S.A. I pay $20 for 3 pens with my insurance ...but the last trip left it in the fridge by mistake
without insurance in USA price is about $255 per pen! And I don't have insurance.*
 

dv8

Gold
Sep 27, 2006
31,266
363
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Thanks for this suggestion. Couple of questions: what quantity do you think would qualify as a large supply? And any advice on how to contact them? Thanks*

you can ask at the pharmacy. maybe take one of the workers on the side and slip them some cash because i imagine that the pharmacy may not be exactly enthusiastic about losing a client.
also, check the list of pharma related companies in DR:
https://www.livio.com/directorio/negocios-y-economia/farmacias/laboratorios-farmaceuticos/
you'd have to call and ask.
 

Cdn_Gringo

Gold
Apr 29, 2014
8,671
1,133
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Saving money on prescription meds is a noble pursuit especially if one find themselves without insurance that helps offset the costs of reoccurring expenses. It goes without saying that some specific medications work better than others for some people and your Doctor might not wish you to substitute to an alternative.

I am also very apprehensive of accepting a DR pharmacist's statement, "que es lo mismo s?lo es diferente" at face value. I've been burned before trying to fill a prescription for meds that weren't available at a particular pharmacia or when trying to find a cheaper alternative on my own.
 

mofongoloco

Silver
Feb 7, 2013
3,002
9
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fyi, most of the cost is related to the arguable safety features of the pen vs the old fashioned multi-dose vial. Good luck. Please do not heed any advice regarding drug interchange by anyone except your diabetes specialist.
 

JayinRD

Member
Apr 18, 2013
411
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Try pricing the other GLP-1 agonists that work the same as Victoza and if much cheaper consider switching;

Exenatide (Byetta/Bydureon)
lixisenatide (Lyxumia)
albiglutide (Tanzeum)
dulaglutide (Trulicity)
 

Meemselle

Just A Few Words
Oct 27, 2014
2,844
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I have monthly meds (thyroid, asthma, GIRD) and then the 80 mg aspirina that all together used to cost me US$10 per month in CT with my US insurance. I don't qualify under the ACA bc i don't live in the US for the required number of days. My Dominican insurance doesn't cover meds. Because it doesn't. So each month, it's +/- $3000 DOP. I always have to explain that I want the generic. At my lovely farmacia in Sosua, we've gotten it down to a science.

Without medical insurance in the US, it would be catastrophic. So it's one of those bills I pay. And I count myself lucky that I can get them and they work.
 
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