Mostly I just wanted to get this out there so that it comes up in google searches to help prevent other people from being ripped off by unscrupulous dermatologists prescribing this drug.
For years I've had moderate acne and I'd go to a dermatologist to get prescriptions to keep it controlled. Originally when I was young this was my parent's idea.
Eventually after trying various prescriptions we found a product called
INOVA to work well.
http://innocutis.com/products/inova/So, I'd deal with a somewhat high copay ($45) for a supply that would last about a month and a half and it worked fairly well.
Fast forward to last year and my company offers a new
HSA/CDHP alternative health insurance plan. The HSA is attractive because since it costs the company less money they kick in a fairly generous monthly contribution to the HSA even if you don't contribute anything yourself. Even better, I could max it out with my own contributions on top of theirs and save a lot on income taxes plus have that money invested and growing tax-free in the HSA.
But there was one big problem keeping me from that glorious HSA tax-advantaged wonderland. I'd have to buy INOVA at retail prices. Guess how much?
Over $300 a box. Which would last only about a month and a half. At a cost of $2400+ a year this meant the HSA was not worth it even with the employer contributions since I'd have to pay so much for INOVA.
I went to the dermatologist to ask if there was a generic version of this drug. They said no, which I later found out was a lie. I have a hard time believing they could not be aware that there were generics easily available on Amazon. They only offered an EVEN MORE expensive drug instead.
That year I didn't search hard enough for alternatives and I took their word for it that there was no generic. Disappointed, I continued with the PPO plan and missed out on the awesomeness that is an HSA.
This year before it was time to sign up for my healthcare plan choice I did more homework. I looked up the active ingredients. Both are available in inexpensive products on Amazon, that as a bonus also don't smell awful (my girlfriend definitely noticed that huge improvement!):
Topix Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Wash 8 oz bottleNeutrogena Acne Stress Control Night Cleansing Pads, 60 CountThere are quite a few other options on Amazon alone but these are the ones I ordered. They worked just as well if not even a little better than the expensive INOVA Rx and instead of smelling bad they smell nice.
I was very angry at that doctor and his PA.
Between missing out on the company contributions to the HSA for a year, the tax savings, the capital gains, and having to pay $45 copays for INOVA this probably cost me something like $2500 last year thanks to the greed and lies from my dermatologist/PA. I'm thinking they get a nice fat commission for themselves when selling those expensive prescriptions to you and they wouldn't get that if they told you about the generic alternatives. Is it even legal to lie to you like that about generics not existing? Really scummy.
Anyhow, I want to trust doctors, but this isn't the first time I've been ripped off and experienced some really ugly greed. There are good ones out there for sure, but beware the greedy ones.
But hooray for finding a better, way less expensive alternative. Try the products I linked above if you have acne especially if your dermatologist prescribed INOVA.
[MOD NOTE: Referral links removed.]