Tom Kellenberger, Pharm.D.

No Real Competition in Drug Prices

DrMark27: BidRx changes the prescription processing paradigm by providing pricing information and claims processing up front when consumers or doctors are searching for prescriptions and pharmacies of choice. Obviously, if a customer pays cash -- a customer without insurance, with a high deductible plan , or for a drug not covered by insurance -- the co-payment is 100%. When a customer has a benefit through BidRx.com, co-payments and insurer/employer/gov't payments are clearly displayed for consumers, doctors and pharmacies. Whatever the payment source, information for consumers and doctors from competing pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies can substantially lower costs. BidRx.com is a U.S. marketplace only at the present time, but it can be international if or when drug product safety can be assured.

No Real Competition in Drug Prices

Head-to-head competition and comparison shopping for pharmaceuticals and pharmacies is available now. It's at BidRx.com. Click on "How it works" to watch a brief tutorial. Then register and start an auction by following the prompts to enter a prescription. Pharmaceutical companies compete because similar prescriptions and prices (approximate) are shown. Pharmacies then compete because consumers can get instant bids; these are final bids from participating pharmacies. The service is free for doctors and consumers. Substantial savings are available at each level of competition. Consumers no longer have to call pharmacies to get prices; they can get instant bids. Doctors don't have to learn about prescription prices -- they or staff members can go to the BidRx.com website, 24x7x365.