I have just returned home after attempting to pick up my Adderall prescription. I was not able to do so because of the increased price.

Earlier I had walked down to my local "FreddyKroger" (Fred Meyers --regional chain in the NW, now owned by Krogers). I was there to pick up my prescription for 180 tablets (10mg) of generic Adderall. I was using a voucher from my local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to purchase it. It was cut for the amount of $US 234 -- because that was the price of the prescription two months ago, the last time I had filled the prescription.

This time I got to the customer service desk -- a whole 'nother story -- only to find out the price had been raised to $US 274! There was no way I could pay the difference. (I am at the moment overdrawn at the bank...) I had to walk out empty-handed.

Can anyone in their right mind -- ie not a drug company spokesperson -- tell me why this easily manufactured generic drug should spike $40 in less than 2 months? By all economic logic the price should be decreasing! WTF? Is this price spike a national trend?

They're raising the price on Adderall to encourage people to try Vyvanse. I read this somewhere on here and my thought was "But isn't Vyvanse much more expensive?" and then I realized that there are likely to many vouchers for trials of Vyvanse out there, and an increasing amount of support from insurance companies. It may be that depending on your situation, Vyvanse might be cheaper.

I've also been hearing about many medication's prices being raised at the moment, not just Adderall. Maybe it's because these companies are all merging? Maybe generics are getting improved manufacturing? Maybe it's costing more to make Adderall as they focus their resources on Vyvanse?

Maybe they know they can blame it on the economy when they really just know people will pay whatever they demand?

We are at the mercy of the drug companies and they just gave the un-insured a big "thumbs down".

Gladiator style.

I am talking about generic medication here! Yes, Shire is promoting Vyvanse. But my generic Adderall is manufactured by Barr! (Cross-ownership?)

Again why should an easily manufactured generic medication spike $40 in less than 2 months? We are talking -- as it says on the label -- "amphetamine salts" here. State of the art -- for the 1940s!

They're raising the price on Adderall to encourage people to try Vyvanse. I read this somewhere on here and my thought was "But isn't Vyvanse much more expensive?" and then I realized that there are likely to many vouchers for trials of Vyvanse out there, and an increasing amount of support from insurance companies. It may be that depending on your situation, Vyvanse might be cheaper.

I've also been hearing about many medication's prices being raised at the moment, not just Adderall. Maybe it's because these companies are all merging? Maybe generics are getting improved manufacturing? Maybe it's costing more to make Adderall as they focus their resources on Vyvanse?

Maybe they know they can blame it on the economy when they really just know people will pay whatever they demand?

We are at the mercy of the drug companies and they just gave the un-insured a big "thumbs down".

Gladiator style.

Call around to the Sam's Clubs and Costcos in your area!!!
Surprisingly, the price ranges I got for #90 20mg Barr Adderall were $24-$52!! Quite a difference huh? Also...you could try generic dextroamphetamine, which may be cheaper (yet more effective) mg-per-mg compared to Adderall.

Oh, sorry to hear this, I hope that if you phone around you find something.

If it was my money that's what I would do. Unfortunately it comes down to who will take a DVR voucher. I don't have the money

What really burns me in my little tale of woe is that I only decided to restart taking medication after having been off it going on three weeks. I thought I would give it another chance. Yesterday I made a trip to a "supplement" shop to purchase magnesium glycinate -- with the last of my money. The idea was to take it to hopefully help roll back my tolerance. Sigh.

Right now taking up residence under an underpass looks rather inviting...

Call around to the Sam's Clubs and Costcos in your area!!!
Surprisingly, the price ranges I got for #90 20mg Barr Adderall were $24-$52!! Quite a difference huh? Also...you could try generic dextroamphetamine, which may be cheaper (yet more effective) mg-per-mg compared to Adderall.

does the dvr have a list of places accepting vouchers? maybe even online? (no insult intended if you've already thought of this; when i get angry i don't always see solutions, so i just thought i'd throw it out there.)

i hope you're able to resolve this sooner than later.

wishing you the best,

No insult taken. I know you're trying to help. The larger issue is that I have a series of options -- all bad...

does the dvr have a list of places accepting vouchers? maybe even online? (no insult intended if you've already thought of this; when i get angry i don't always see solutions, so i just thought i'd throw it out there.)

i hope you're able to resolve this sooner than later.

wishing you the best,

Call around to the Sam's Clubs and Costcos in your area!!!
Surprisingly, the price ranges I got for #90 20mg Barr Adderall were $24-$52!! Quite a difference huh? Also...you could try generic dextroamphetamine, which may be cheaper (yet more effective) mg-per-mg compared to Adderall.

Sorry to go OT here for a moment, but...

I know prices vary by location, etc., etc., etc. but where did you manage to find it for $24? I've been using Costco for prescriptions and pay about $55 (no insurance) total for #60 20mg Barr Adderall and #30 10mg Barr Adderall each month, and that's the cheapest I've been able to find it.

I've found Kroger in general to be pretty expensive for prescriptions. If the change in price occurred with the change of ownership, that's probably the reason, sadly.

Prices, as mentioned by Chuck61686 above, often vary widely by pharmacy. I would start calling around and inquiring as to both price and DVR voucher acceptance. Even if you can't find somewhere that both offers a lower price *and* accepts vouchers, there's still hope. A lot of pharmacies will price match.

If you find somewhere that offers it for a more reasonable price but *doesn't* take vouchers, call all the pharmacies that *do* and say that you'd love to use their pharmacy, however, XYZ pharmacy offers Adderall for a lower price. If it meant gaining a loyal customer, would they be willing to price match? If so, get that in writing, *then* use the voucher once your price has been negotiated.

My problem's worse: of the meds available to me (Dex and Ritalin), I cannot take due to gluten intolerance. I'm fcuked.

So odd, my kroger is pretty cheap. 90 20mg pills is under 60 bucks.

Sorry to go OT here for a moment, but...

I know prices vary by location, etc., etc., etc. but where did you manage to find it for $24? I've been using Costco for prescriptions and pay about $55 (no insurance) total for #60 20mg Barr Adderall and #30 10mg Barr Adderall each month, and that's the cheapest I've been able to find it.

using the FREE discount card unarx or universalrx I was able to get 60 20mg generic for about $22. It went up last month though to $40

I have just returned home after attempting to pick up my Adderall prescription. I was not able to do so because of the increased price.

Earlier I had walked down to my local "FreddyKroger" (Fred Meyers --regional chain in the NW, now owned by Krogers). I was there to pick up my prescription for 180 tablets (10mg) of generic Adderall. I was using a voucher from my local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to purchase it. It was cut for the amount of $US 234 -- because that was the price of the prescription two months ago, the last time I had filled the prescription.

This time I got to the customer service desk -- a whole 'nother story -- only to find out the price had been raised to $US 274! There was no way I could pay the difference. (I am at the moment overdrawn at the bank...) I had to walk out empty-handed.

Can anyone in their right mind -- ie not a drug company spokesperson -- tell me why this easily manufactured generic drug should spike $40 in less than 2 months? By all economic logic the price should be decreasing! WTF? Is this price spike a national trend?


It makes no sense......Like here in th uk,I have to price work in a one to one basis......anyway the odd joke pops up about the recesion(serious joke).....and if I'd drop my cost....hmmm na,your lucky it aint higher because of the recession,is closer the target

my adderall cost $8.00 a pill 30mgxr at riteaid....understand the frustration:mad:

It is the pharmacies that are gouging the consumer. I found this out recently. I shopped all around looking for the best price on adderall. I take 20mg IR 3 times a day so that's 90 a month! CVS was by far the worst place to go at the tune of $287 a month. I called around and was able to get it from a local mom and pop pharmacy for $39.98! They told me they only pay $25 for a bottle of 120 and larger pharmacies like walmart and CVS pay much less. So where does CVS get off on charging me $287 for only 90 of them??? It is the pharmacies that are gouging the consumer, NOT the drug companies!

It is the pharmacies that are gouging the consumer. I found this out recently. I shopped all around looking for the best price on adderall. I take 20mg IR 3 times a day so that's 90 a month! CVS was by far the worst place to go at the tune of $287 a month. I called around and was able to get it from a local mom and pop pharmacy for $39.98! They told me they only pay $25 for a bottle of 120 and larger pharmacies like walmart and CVS pay much less. So where does CVS get off on charging me $287 for only 90 of them??? It is the pharmacies that are gouging the consumer, NOT the drug companies!

Same brands?

I understand your frustration, retromancer. (See my semi-related thread.)

$40 in two months is ****ing ridiculous (pardon the language). In fact, prescriptions for stigmatized disorders and conditions are usually ridiculous.

Could you talk to Voc Rehab and see if they'd increase your voucher? I deal with Voc Rehab on a semi-regular basis because I work at a legal aid clinic trying to help people get Social Security disability payments. Voc Rehab (ours, at least) tends to work some miracles. OR, if you're really close to someone there, get them to call the pharmacy, because someone "official" can sometimes better negotiate a price.

Let's fix health care and health insurance soon, k, guys?

Good luck!

Same brands?

Yep made by Barr.

I ended up "eating" the difference. This is the last voucher that DVR is going to write for this, so I am not fighting it. I just wanted to get moving again... I'll see next month if I can actually get my state insurance plan to pay for ADHD meds.

Eminorsoul you help people to become eligible for Soc. Sec. disability? I forecast that you make many friends here! I am kicking myself for not applying after the previous layoff. I would be so much better off now!


I understand your frustration, retromancer. (See my semi-related thread.)

$40 in two months is ****ing ridiculous (pardon the language). In fact, prescriptions for stigmatized disorders and conditions are usually ridiculous.

Could you talk to Voc Rehab and see if they'd increase your voucher? I deal with Voc Rehab on a semi-regular basis because I work at a legal aid clinic trying to help people get Social Security disability payments. Voc Rehab (ours, at least) tends to work some miracles. OR, if you're really close to someone there, get them to call the pharmacy, because someone "official" can sometimes better negotiate a price.

Let's fix health care and health insurance soon, k, guys?

Good luck!

"Falling through the cracks" - is such a nice euphamism. Not one bit like the reality you are facing. I am sorry.


P.S. Speaking of sarcasm and cynicism, if I were to sustain mental damage from your particular brand, would you let me know? I doubt I'ld notice.

"Falling..." is actually rather descriptive. People routinely walk along the street -- until the day the ground opens up under their feet. Then they disappear out of sight...

Insidious isn't it? I promise to notify you -- if there is humorous potential in it...

"Falling through the cracks" - is such a nice euphamism. Not one bit like the reality you are facing. I am sorry.


P.S. Speaking of sarcasm and cynicism, if I were to sustain mental damage from your particular brand, would you let me know? I doubt I'ld notice.