Originally Posted by bearisgray
Advair wasn't on the Target generic list
Some drugs don't yet have generic equivalents.
Be aware that doctors tend to prescribe the latest and greatest that the pharmaceutical salesmen give them samples of. The newest drugs usually cost the most. Sometimes you just need that drug, but very often an older drug will do just fine and cost much less.
I've gotten into the habit of asking doctors if a drug is a $10 copay drug or a $40 copay drug. They may not know exactly, but they do know if it's high cost. Ask if there's something lower cost to try first, especially if it's for a routine condition such as high blood pressure or arthritis, where there is a wide variety of drugs on the market.
I started this after a doctor prescribed an antibiotic that cost over $1000 (insurance covered most of it, but insurance costs only end up increasing our premium rates). A routine antibiotic did the job, and better than the new drug.