Gary Russell to Shirlee Zerkel: Some comparisons

Gary Russell to Shirlee Zerkel, September 26, 2006

Subject: RE: Prescription question

Dear Ms. Zerkel:

When comparing drug prices the strength must be taken into account in order to have a true apples-to-apples comparison. I found Folgard on the Walgreen website for $16.99 for 60 tablets so I’m assuming this is the local inquiry to which you refer. The Folgard available at Walgreen is 115 mcg of vitamin B12, .8 mg of Folic Acid and 10 mg of vitamin B6. Folgard RX available through Caremark is 1000 mcg of B12, 2.2 mg of Folic Acid and 25 mg of B6. As you can see the strength of Folgard RX is more than 250% the strength of the Folgard at Walgreen. Folgard RX is $43.40 for 90 tablets through Caremark. A generic version of this higher strength is available for $14.15 for 90 tablets. The price for Folgard RX is $.48 per tablet through Caremark compared to $.28 at Walgreen; however, the Folic Acid strength is 2.2 mg compared to .8 mg with is nearly three times greater. The generic version can be purchased for only $.16 per tablet through Caremark.

As I had noted in my previous e-mail, STRS Ohio negotiates to get the best price for the total drug spend. This means that there may be some drugs that can be purchased at a lower cost through a different source. However, accurate comparisons must be made.

I hope this helps,

Gary