Trying to find a cheaper pharmacy here than Mercury

Hi,

I hope this helps. From what I deduce, you suffer from some form of chronic pain. Usually, meds for that are really expensive, but you can always ask for a generic brand of the pill, they are usually more affordable. Another choice would be to get a non-opiate or mixed medication if you haven't started using the oxynorm yet. They are usually a lot less expensive and not as addictive. If you cannot get the generic at mercury, check rose pharmacy or Watsons. (be specific about wanting the generic brand). If you are white, it's easy to assume you are a money bag.

Thank you for the advice. Ya a one month supply at Mercury is 17k. Again I get reimbursed for this but it takes six months.

Its common selling SPLITTED boxes per pill much more expensive per pill than buying WHOLE box by many Filipinos cant afford buying whole box. 
You can ask the WHOLE BOX price and see if it make it less costly at that pharmacy.

Arcadieus wrote:

Hi, I was prescribed oxynorm 5mg from a pain specialist here. Mercury is charging 160 pesos per tablet. Is there any other pharmacy that would carry this medicine and be cheaper? Or is there some type of discount prescription program I can sign up for?.

I am being reimbursed for the medicine by the VA's FMP program, but it takes six months to get the money. Any and all advice would be amazing!

I would ask your Doctor to prescribe 10mg dose and use a pill cutter to break them in half. I have two prescriptions that I cut in half.

Even if you want a box, it's rare to get it at wholesale prices. Except it's on sale. Usually, they sell the box at the retail price per piece. But then, I usually buy OTC meds so I don't know if the principle applies to prescription meds.

I go to TGP (The Generics Pharmacy) first, Watsons second and only Mercury if nothing else available.

Some 20 years ago I had the occasion to present an anti-microbial wall coating to Mercury Drug to make their Pharmacy areas clinically clean. We met one of the Directors - a mature lady, I cannot remember her name - who declined our offer because it was going "to affect our profits". No thought for the health and well being of  the staff or their customers: only the "profits".

Some may say she was only being the good corporate but to me her attitude changed my view of Mercury Drug completely - I only perceived greed.

Nothing seems to have changed - in my experience Mercury Drug is THE most expensive place to buy medicines in the Philippines . . . my last resort.

Generics 1st and Watson second. Mercury as last resort. When you go to the Generics be sure to ask them where it comes from. The manufacturer's name will be on the box. My statin is made in the Philippines. I don't trust China anymore. If it's made in the Philippines, Australia, India, or anywhere else you should be ok.

Eight years back, I made good friends with a IT guy doing some computer work for me. He was an ex Vietnam vet who caught shrapmetal in his back. He had genuine pain, and had become addicted over the years. He was prescribed 80mg tabs. I watched him inject the drug, sourcing the drug, and suffering withdrawals.

Through my friend, I tried the drug (oxycontin in Australia) several times 80- 120mg, crushed up and mixed with fluid. It was an amazing high, and I'm sure, if I continued, would have addicted me.

I'm sure you know about the 'poor mans' heroin addiction that swept America, and the eventual multi-million dollar settlement paid. As I understand it, they have made the pills uncrushable?

I don't doubt you have a genuine need, but please be careful, as tolerance develops quickly.

@Arcadieus 

There is a pharmacy called TGP.

The generic Pharmacy. check on google they are in most cities.

Good luck!!!

I use lisinopril (blood pressure), 10 mg. I priced it at SouthStar and Mercury. 20 mg pills were THREE times as expensive at Mercury (75 vs. 23.75 each). And I cut them in half.

@Arcadieus 

My magic word when buying medication is Seniors Citizen Discount.  For a few years, foreigners have also been given a senior citizen ID card when they turn 60.  The advantages are considerable.  First the 12% tax is deducted from the sales price and then a discount of 20%, which results in a saving of around 28.5%.  The same discount, i.e. tax and 20%, is also available in restaurants, hotels, domestic flights, ships, buses and trains, theatres, cinemas, concerts, medical expenses and hospitals, the list here is not complete.  And everywhere it is sufficient to show the Seniors ID.  For drugs only with prescription.  And when it says 'fall in line', a senior can go forward past the queue by showing the card.

@Arcadieus 

My magic word when buying medication is Seniors Citizen Discount.  For a few years, foreigners have also been given a senior citizen ID card when they turn 60.  The advantages are considerable.  ... - @Stephan-Cainta-PH

My Stepson tried to get me a senior citizen card and was turned down. How did you do it, what is the secret?

well, I didn't hire anyone to do it for me.  I personally went to the Municipal Hall of Cainta, which is where I live, and presented my passport to verify my age and my Philippine driver's license as proof of my residential address.  My data was recorded and a photo taken.  About 1 week later I was able to pick up the ID card. it was in july 2019

PASSED IN 2018, FOREIGNERS 60-YEARS-OLD AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES ARE ALLOWED SENIOR CITIZEN CARD AND BENEFITS.

you should living at least 6 months resident in ... - @Stephan-Cainta-PH

@Enzyte Bob Maybe you should look up the new regulations and print them out, then take them to your local city hall and show them that you are entitled by law.

PASSED IN 2018, FOREIGNERS 60-YEARS-OLD AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES ARE ALLOWED SENIOR CITIZEN CARD AND BENEFITS.

you should living at least 6 months resident in ... - @Stephan-Cainta-PH

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                          WHAT  GIVES WITH THIS FORMATTING ?

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In threads about references to Senior Citizens cards (passed in 2018). I cannot find this act of 2018 to print out, I've searched the internet, but what I have found out you must be a citizen of the Philippines.

About officials knowing the rules, this is what I found sleuthing the internet.Those Expats (many) who have been issued this card is because the officials did not know the law by issuing these cards.

So if anyone can provide me with a lead, something that I can print out, that allows Expats to qualify, it would be appreciated.

So what came first, the Chicken (card denial) or the Egg (card is issued)

@Enzyte Bob I have also done the same with two of my meds. The cost for the "Double Dose" is often the Exact Same as the Half Dose. I discovered this while still in the States and had to inform my Doctor who had no idea.