Medicare Can Finally Negotiate Drug Prices: How Marley Drug Still Offers Lower-Cost Alternatives

In a groundbreaking development for healthcare, Medicare has been granted the ability to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This change aims to reduce the cost of medications for Medicare and its beneficiaries, a move that has been long-awaited by many. However, an intriguing revelation from reviewing a recent article by the Center for American Progress¹ suggests that even with these negotiations, there are still more cost-effective options available. Enter Marley Drug, a pharmacy that offers lower-priced alternatives to some of the top Medicare Part D drugs. Here, we will delve into the insights shared by the President of Marley Drug, Neil Owens, who in a recent video, shared how Marley Drug can still amazingly provide significant savings and why it might be a viable option for many.

The Power of Negotiation: Medicare's New Ability

The Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act has empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, a significant shift aimed at reducing the financial burden on Medicare and its beneficiaries.

The Center for American Progress Findings

A recent article by the Center for American Progress has estimated how the price for the top ten Medicare Part D drugs targeted by the Inflation Reduction Act has been negotiated down. While these reductions are a step in the right direction, there are still more affordable options available through Marley Drug.

Marley Drug: A Cost-Effective Alternative

• Example 1: JARDIANCE vs. BRENZAVVY
  • JARDIANCE: Originally priced at $305 for a 30-day supply, Medicare negotiations brought this down to an estimated $152.
  • BRENZAVVY (bexagliflozin): Offers a similar medication (also an SGLT-2 inhibitor) for just $59.95 for a 30-day supply.
• Example 2: Sitagliptin vs. Generic Version
  • Sitagliptin: Medicare negotiated the price from $275 to an estimated $138 for a 30-day supply.
  • Generic Version comparable to ZITUVIO (Marley Drug): Available for only $80 per month (also a DPP-4 inhibitor)

Again, the savings are substantial, highlighting the importance of exploring alternative options for expensive medications.

Understanding the Pricing Dynamics

High Initial Prices

Some medications start at high prices, and even after negotiations, they remain expensive. This is a common issue in the pharmaceutical industry, where initial pricing can be prohibitively high.

Lower-Priced Alternatives

Some medications start at high prices, and even after negotiations, they remain expensive. This is a common issue in the pharmaceutical industry, where initial pricing can be prohibitively high.

The Role of Healthcare Providers

Considering Indications

While there are some differences in the indications between the medications discussed, healthcare providers should consider these when making decisions about substitutions. Neil emphasizes that Marley Drug offers lower-cost options without compromising on quality, providing FDA-approved solutions that may not be widely known.

Quality Assurance

Marley Drug focuses on providing FDA-approved medications, ensuring that the lower cost does not come at the expense of quality. This is a crucial point for both healthcare providers and patients to consider when exploring alternative options.

The Financial Impact on Medicare and Taxpayers

Higher Prices Despite Negotiations

Even after negotiations, the price for JARDIANCE remains 60% higher than what Marley Drug offers for BRENZAVVY. Similarly, for generics like sitagliptin (comparable to ZITUVIO), the price is almost 40% higher than what the government has negotiated for a different branded product.

The Burden on Taxpayers

While Medicare beneficiaries may not feel the impact directly due to low or zero co-pays, the financial burden still falls on Medicare and taxpayers. This underscores the importance of exploring more cost-effective alternatives like those offered by Marley Drug.

Call to Action: Advocating for Marley Drug

Exploring Cost-Effective Alternatives

We encourage you to consider advocating for Marley Drug as a viable option for accessing lower-cost medications. By providing lower-cost alternatives to expensive medications, Marley Drug presents an opportunity for both Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers to benefit from more affordable healthcare solutions.

Conclusion

Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices is a step in the right direction, however, lower cost alternatives already exist through pharmacies like Marley Drug. By providing lower-cost alternatives to expensive medications, Marley Drug offers a promising solution for reducing the financial burden on both Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers. As we navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare, it is crucial to explore all available options to ensure that medications remain accessible and affordable for all.