Post research

Although the pharmaceuticals industry estimates $643 billion in revenue in 2007, 72 percent of Ohio University’s Hudson Health Center’s medications are less than $10.

Hudson buys medication in bulk and can keep prices for many medications inexpensive. Hudson also checks the generic market constantly.

From September to November 2006, the top 25 drugs students purchased — including cough medicine, antibiotics, medication for depression and asthma and pain medication — were less than $10, said Jacki Legg, business manager for Hudson.

“We do not want students thinking they cannot be treated because medications are expensive,” Legg said.

One exception is birth control pills, which usually run from $10 to $20. For now, a student is able to purchase a birth control pill such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for $12 until Hudson runs out of its supply.

At Hudson, about 65 percent of the medications are less than $8 and 47 percent are under $4. Hudson’s competitors in the prescription drug business are Wal-Mart and CVS.

Wal-Mart recently launched a $4 generic drug program in which more than 300 generic prescriptions are exactly $4 for up to a 30-day supply without customer qualifications. Customers with prescription drug coverage pay either their co-pay or the $4, whichever is cheaper.

The prescriptions included vary from anti-anxiety medication to diabetes medication but not birth control. For instance, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is $53.36 without insurance at Wal-Mart.

CVS does not have a program similar to Wal-Mart. At CVS, allergy medications such as Benadryl are $6, and cold remedies such as Cold-fX are $12.99. Diabetes medication such as the generic drug Metformin HCL 500MG tablet is $12.29 for 30 pills.

The birth control pill Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo can be purchased at CVS for $56.99 —about $3 more than Wal-Mart and about $45 more than Hudson — and is the most expensive price compared to Hudson and Wal-Mart.

“It’s surprising to hear that over half the meds [at Hudson] are under $10. I would go wherever it is cheaper,” said Krista Bradley, a freshman. “For instance, right now I go to CVS because it’s less expensive than Hudson.”

Legg said that the administration tries to keep the prices for prescriptions lower than outside pharmacies.

“I find Hudson very convenient, and I’m always pleased with the price of the medications they provide. I’ve only used Wal-Mart once to get a prescription filled and that’s because it was a weekend, and Hudson was closed,” said senior Student Trustee Micah Mitchell.