Anyone here a Cardiologist?

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

I am trying to find out if there is an alternative generic medication to Diovan HCT. I have been fighting with my insurance company for a few months now. I have taken this medication for probably 7 years or more. It is very expensive even with my insurance. I asked my cardiologist if there was another medication I could take that would be cheaper, even if I took 2 separate meds because this is a combination drug. He told me no, that this is the best med for me. Well, now my insurance will not cover it at all and I will have to pay the full price of $250 for 90 day supply. My cardiologist can call for prior authorization, but I am asking why I can not try something else. My insurance company said that their computer does not show what generic alternative to consider, but just suggests ace inhibitors. Shouldn't that be pretty easy?? I am an RN, and totally understand, but just don't get why there is no alternative. Thanks in advance.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Ann-Marie,

Many pharma companies have patient assistance programs in place that provide help with co-pays and even a certain amount of free drug. On the Diovan website, there is some information about this:

High Blood Pressure Medication | Diovan

These programs are not typically income dependent, but are ways for the pharma companies to promote use of their drug.

Hope something works out for you!

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

I'm not a cardiologist but I play one on TUG, my new personna over there. Sounds like either there is no alternative or your cardiologist is on the payola.

While there is no specific generic as the patent is still in effect, ask your general practitioner what she thinks.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Thanks for the Diovan link. I printed out a $25 savings card however it does not state my dosage as being one to use it on. I will try.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I am on the same meds, Diovan 160/25, Started about a year ago when My BP sky rocketed after Europe..

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

I am on the same meds, Diovan 160/25, Started about a year ago when My BP sky rocketed after Europe..

BF, just follow the cardiologist's advice over on TUG:

If it tastes good, spit it out.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

I am a consultant to Novartis.

Here's what I found (similar to 3Kidsa4Me) Diovan | Patient Assistance Now Program

Ann-Marie, why don't you just have your PCP call for the authorization ? I'm not getting this, sorry.

[kennyw Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kennyw]

See another doctor and ask about salt substitute potassiun chloride.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

There is no generic ARB (class of meds that Diovan is) available at this time, but one should be available within about a year or two. I'm not a cardiologist, but I prescribe this class of medications all the time. If you haven't already been on an ACE inhibitor, then I would try that. Lisinopril/HCTZ is on the $4 list at Wal-mart. If you have and had to stop due to cough or angioedema (you'll probably know what it is if you've had it), then you could still switch to whichever ARB is preferred by your insurance. You can probably look that up on their formulary.

This is frustrating for physicians. You have been controlled on this medication for years, but now we have to change it because some suit got a better deal with the company making its competitor. Personally, I rarely fill out the paperwork, because most insurance companies require that you've failed whatever their preferred agent is before they'll approve it, so I waste my time filling out their paperwork, and their $10/hr clerk with a high school diploma is going to deny it anyway because I haven't tried their preferred agent, so instead I have to look up the preferred agent on their website (or have my patient do it). Obviously, all this takes time, for which I'm usually not paid or if I am, it's because I'm doing it while the patient's in the room with me and I'm not doing much for their health during their visit because I'm trying to figure out which of the dozens of insurance plans they have and how that plan's website works so that I can get it straight for my patient.

By the way, the above-listed annoyance is probably why your cardiologist said that this is the best med for you. There's not terribly convincing evidence that any one ARB is far superior to any other (or to ACE inhibitors, for that matter).

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Just my opinion on the matter.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

By the way, the above-listed annoyance is probably why your cardiologist said that this is the best med for you. There's not terribly convincing evidence that any one ARB is far superior to any other (or to ACE inhibitors, for that matter).

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Just my opinion on the matter.

Or, the producer of the current med sends the doctor to Miami with his wife, all expenses paid, in the dead of winter to a conference for more education about the product.

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Just my opinion on the matter.

I'm not a doctor like you are, I'm the black sheep of the family, but I have a BIL who is a cardiologist, a BIL who is a world renowned otolaryngologist, and a BIL who is in family practice. I hear the conversations from them and their wives.

[logan115 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close logan115]

Or, the producer of the current med sends the doctor to Miami with his wife, all expenses paid, in the dead of winter to a conference for more education about the product.

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Just my opinion on the matter.

I'm not a doctor like you are, I'm the black sheep of the family, but I have a BIL who is a cardiologist, a BIL who is a world renowned otolaryngologist, and a BIL who is in family practice. I hear the conversations from them and their wives.

But you're probably the only one in the family that bought resale

Chris

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

Pharmaceutical reps give doctors samples of drugs to give their patients as starter supplies. See if your doc has any that he can give you.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Pharmaceutical reps give doctors samples of drugs to give their patients as starter supplies. See if your doc has any that he can give you.

Actually the last time I was there they searched for a while to find some samples for me, but could not come up with any. However they did give me 6 months worth of another expensive drug I take.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

I am a consultant to Novartis.

Here's what I found (similar to 3Kidsa4Me) Diovan | Patient Assistance Now Program

Ann-Marie, why don't you just have your PCP call for the authorization ? I'm not getting this, sorry.

I am waiting for my cardiologist to call for authorization, but this could take forever since he is so busy, and I am in a tailspin because I am leaving for Scottsdale on Saturday, and will run out of meds by Sunday. Thank you for the Novartis link.

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I have solved my problem for now. If I took the prescription to my local CVS or Rite Aid, I would have paid $108 for 30 day supply. I called Costco and I was able to get it for $85 for 30 day supply, AND thanks to another suggestion, I went to the Novartis site and printed out a $25 coupon that is good for 12 refills. I therefore paid $60. So I am happy for now because this is close to the price I was paying for my Diovan through my insurance plan. Maybe slightly higher, but now I feel like I can relax and go away without this hanging over me for now.