I guess just try to be ahead on anything essential. I haven't heard from Canada whether the convoy there is causing any real widespread shortages. You would think if it was, we would hear about it but maybe not. I did hear that some car manufacturing plants like Ford have shut down temporarily near that blocked bridge on the Canada side.

I've been following this, just to see how it will be handled, and this article came up in my news feed this morning:
"Ontario threatens to fine, jail protesters to end U.S.-Canada anti-mandate blockade"

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-protests-enter-third-week-sophisticated-demonstrators-dig-2022-02-11/

"WINDSOR, Ontario/WASHINGTON/OTTAWA Feb 11 (Reuters) - Canada's Ontario province declared a state of emergency on Friday and Premier Doug Ford threatened fines and jail terms as authorities came under increasing pressure from the United States to end anti-vaccine mandate protests that has drastically cut trade between the two nations."

""I will convene Cabinet to use legal authorities to urgently enact orders that will make crystal clear it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and service along critical infrastructure," Ford said in a press briefing on Friday."

Ford also pledged new legal action against protesters, including fines and potential jail time for non-compliance with the government's orders.

So, it will be interesting to see just how this resolves.

The only problem with 'stocking up' is that I've never been able to stock up on prescriptions - that's controlled by health insurance co's, not the doctors.

Stocking up on any herbs that may come through that way would sure be a good idea though! And anything else you might need! My problem is that I have no idea how the things I need get into the US! LOL! I have a hard enough time just trying to get stuff to my house! (I live in the boonies!).

RainyCloud and Astroman make some good points about stocking up on RX. There have been ABX that I have let the refills lax because I wasn't currently using them or what have you. I'm trying not to do that anymore and try to get any refills I have available filled.

If you're able, pay cash for the RX's instead of using health insurance.

Goodrx has done well for me, and I've had no problems through my local Walmart pharmacy. If it weren't for the large discount with Goodrx, I would be looking to support an independent, local pharmacy. Some of the smaller pharmacies don't seem to use Goodrx though.

There is the overseas pharmacy option.

We have for awhile been trying to stay ahead on herbs and supplements, like once we get to one bottle left we will go ahead and buy a few to several more.

Post Edited (JMF84) : 2/11/2022 12:13:10 PM (GMT-7)

Girlie: re-read my capitalized comments.

Your Canadian, this is what its like in American:

In the US our Rx is usually never 100% ins covered; the the most expensive (not aforadable) has it. And co-pay (our out of pocket part price keeps escalating.

And In the US, health ins Rx coverage sometimes is more expensive than these discounts like Good Rx. Good Rx is an app or even printed coupon (for the cavemen out there) that hugly discounts the Rx cost.

50% off price is pretty common if you use that and pay out of pocket.

Yes, you read that right.

------------------------------------------------

In the US, where the profits go from Rx is very wide. Everyone has their hands in it.

I personally met/ had long discussion with a recently retired "head honcho" of one of Americas top health insurances- he was the pharma/Rx program "#1 boss" in the US of that insurer. He told me how screwed up it is and that Good Rx bypasses some of the hands that getting our $. Unfortunately, the pharma its self makes way less on this too, so some refuse it.

US "healthcare" is all about profits and maxxing out the average Joe/Jane. Pathetic.

Post Edited (astroman) : 2/11/2022 12:38:47 PM (GMT-7)

I have one Rx that I count on insurance for - Amitiza. It's an intestinal drug that is actually working for me! But, with GoodRx, or the other prescription discount cards, it's over $500/mo. With insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), it's $50/mo. Not a 'good' price, but at least we can figure out how to pay for that - note, I'm on 9 different 'script right now trying to deal with whatever the heck is going on with my body.

I would agree that it would be smart to try to figure out if you can get extras - whether by discount cards, or (if they still do this??) asking your doc for samples. That would be a good idea anyway, since it's hard to tell what the world has in store for us next!

Before this latest excursion into the medical unknown, I actually had thoughts of getting a part-time job!! I was feeling good, and had 2 businesses even ask if I was willing to work part-time, so it would have been a really good opportunity for someone that has nothing to put on a resume! That was a joke though, as my body isn't done stumping doctors yet.

I had thought it pretty odd as well, so I checked it like 3 or 4 times! But, as you can see here, it's crazy expensive with GoodRx:
https://www.goodrx.com/lubiprostone

JMF84 said...
RainyCloud and Astroman make some good points about stocking up on RX. There have been ABX that I have let the refills lax because I wasn't currently using them or what have you. I'm trying not to do that anymore and try to get any refills I have available filled.

If you're able, pay cash for the RX's instead of using health insurance.

Goodrx has done well for me, and I've had no problems through my local Walmart pharmacy. If it weren't for the large discount with Goodrx, I would be looking to support an independent, local pharmacy. Some of the smaller pharmacies don't seem to use Goodrx though.

There is the overseas pharmacy option.

We have for awhile been trying to stay ahead on herbs and supplements, like once we get to one bottle left we will go ahead and buy a few to several more.

This is great advice JMF, thanks, I should really renew my meds on the renewal date regardless of whether I've used them or not.

Yes, goodrx saved me so much money too. Also, there are some companies like goodrx that sometimes safe more depending on the medication.

I forgot the names but I think Blink Health was another one and then SingleCare seems to be becoming popular.

Also, yeah it depends on the pharmacy, I used to go to walmart but then I realized if I used the same goodrx coupon at my local grocery store at the time, that the savings were bigger.

Thank you, RainyCloud! I'm glad to know about those alternatives. And yes, I had my scripts sent to Walmart this time but looked at goodrx today and found that Kroger's was much cheaper. However, the nearest Kroger's is an hour away so if were going to do the Kroger's, would have to try to work it in when going that way for something else too.