Follow up on the generic epinephrine issue.  The doc sent a RX for the Epipens, No substitutions, and they were holding the RX, because it was too soon to process a refill.  I had to get very firm and explain this was not a refill, but a new Rx, in order to get the proper design of pen, the brand specific epipen.  That what I had seems to be the generic of a Twinject, which my dd has never used and was nervous about carrying, having never practiced.  They have no trainers in the packages either.  So, two supervisors later, and finally a pharmacist, and they are expediting the new RX, and will process a $10 refund for the wrong thing they sent.  Not that I care, but hey, it is $ for nothing, so I will take the refund.  They will send a mailer so I can send these wrong ones back.  Fine with me, but I would hope they would not dispense them again! 

Just very annoyed.  It is a time suck.  I asked to go up the chain because I was concerned that they are making this substitution regularly, and it is not technically equivalent.  Yes the medication inside is, but not the pen design, and this matters.  TYVM, Nameless for the link.  They are saying it was an error, this one time, and it is not their policy to do so.  Supposedly documented it, which is why they want the pens returned. 

It was rather cathartic to vent on them all.  As I do so, I do apologize and explain that I understand it is not the CSR's fault, but this error has cost me several phone calls, 45 minutes alone tonight, cost time at my doctors office, both for the person who spoke to me, had to explain to the doctor who had to send a new RX.  Just so wasteful! 

I do not like Express Scripts most of the time.  I do like some things.  It is usually helpful that they contact the doctor to renew things, and at times I don't have to do that.  But as PC said, we then can end up with too much medication.  This can be a waste of $$ if we end up not needing it or changing meds.  I want the old days back.  I miss having a flat co-pay or % plan. 

Yes!  They send us way too much medication, faxing for doctor orders themselves!  I got 90 days of thyroid meds a few weeks into my current bottle, also a 90 day supply. 

Becca, I am so sorry and I know your pain and frustration.  We had that company after they bought Medco until last January. 

They messed up so many times and they were so specific about what they wanted a doctor to write or they would do what they thought was best.  At one point I had way too much medication for DD and I told them to stop sending it!  Of course I was charged for all of it too! 

With them it is dotting I's and crossing T's.  I finally would call them first, ask what they wanted the doctor to write, and then forwarded that to my doctor's office for submission back to them.

So happy to have changed....our current company is sooooo much easier to deal with.

Right, but my RPh friend that is all still true in that link.

So - whoever the mail-order retailer is...is doing something wrong if your doc specifically wrote Epi-pen.

~ Adrienne

Just spoke with ped office.  The nurse I sloke too thought this was very odd, and was not even familiar with epipen generics.  Did not think it would be a problem to re-send.  Hopefully they fill it no problem, given that this was just filled.  Ugh.  PITA, but will save me up to $900.  Was trying to do it now, while the weather is not at any extremes. 

Quote from: nameless on October 14, 2015, 06:55:20 PM
A pharmacy friend sent me this: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/p2p/p2pepinephrine-0910

Just read it and I agree, but it is from 2010.  Laws/ethics may have changed or evolved since then. 

Anyway, I will call the ped and get the real ones.  Dd was not happy to see something different and nobody will know how to use it.  I don't like the two cap system. 

looks like twin ject   had the two caps etc. 

A pharmacy friend sent me this: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/p2p/p2pepinephrine-0910

That generic is only the generic for Adrenaclick, and is not a generic substitution for Epipen.

I think...from what I can find.

What does the school nurse think?  I haven't seen these before.  I'd have to retrain everyone including myself who does.....not....like....change...in stressful situations.

I decided to try the mailorder.  The weather has been cooler, and I called, and was told I could get 3 twin packs from Express Scripts for $30.  They faxed the MD office, and I called and explained, etc...  All was fine, but I seem to have received two twin packs of a generic epinephrine auto injector, at $10 for both twin packs.  Cost is awesome, but I don't like the design.  It is a bit different, and requires more steps before being able to inject and no trainer pen. 


ours actually looks different.  Case is 1/2 black, 1/2 yellow, and the caps on the pen are blue. 

The case requires a twist to open, and then there are caps on both ends to remove.  These are technically extras and I have 2 refills on them.  I guess I could try a good one in an orange.  Just for the feel of it. 

Thinking of calling the ped office to be sure they are okay with us getting generic. 

Anyone using these?  I worry the different look and case and uncapping procedure will slow response or confuse people.  One company, and a single design was more foolproof, even though options are good.  On the plus side, it is more streamlined than the most recent epi-pen redesign.   

Just thought you guys would get a nice laugh out of this.  So, I am not normally a walmart shopper because there is only one nearby and it really isn't in that great of a location.  However, when I called (TWICE ... just to verify), I was almost floored when I heard the price of $110 for the twinpak.  So, of course I drove out there tonight, and when I get there the pharmacist said that they misquoted me and that it is really $188 (the same price they quoted me at target).  So, you can imagine how livid I was (!), but I was ready to pay the full price and be done with it.  Funny thing is, it wasn't until they took my insurance card that they noticed the price was incorrect.  In their computer it still was listed as $110.  So, seeing as I have a $500 deductible that I would not meet anyway, I told them to ring it without the insurance, and they did!  So, thankfully, I still got the price of $110, but they will probably fix their computers from this point forward!!

Ctmartin - the PM is at the other site with your name and new password for here.

---

Looking at Walgreens drug plan, I didn't see brand name Epi, only generic (and cost is much lower but not sure if it would be lower overall).

I did see however they had Twinject (each pen has two doses from my understanding) at a definite price difference.

I'm on the fence with Epi (namebrand) right now.  I am concerned after reading a few stories about the new Epi's misfiring and bending (one ultimately led to a young man's death because the needle bent).  I am also not crazy about the larger size.

As far as the generics go - yes it's cheaper but not everyone feels it is equal from my understanding.  Some of them are not rated high enough to be considered a comparable replacement. 

Rebekah and I will see what we can do about your username if that is okay with you; we would like for you to have the name you want!

I've missed seeing you around the forum.  I'm really glad about the reason for your scarcity as of late, anyway.   

I have never seen a twin pack in canada.  Last one we got was a single in sept.