Congress Decides To Investigate Soaring Prices Of Some Generic Drugs

CULVER CITY (CBSLA.com) —  The point of taking generic drugs was to pass on savings to consumers over more costly named medications.

But the cost of some  generic drugs has been soaring.

A Congressional investigation is underway to explain the shocking increases in the prices of some generics.

Earlier on Friday, in response to the Congressional investigation, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association issued a statement. It read in part, "Generic manufacturers can proudly point to a legacy of saving. [The organization] is disappointed on the recent focus of 10 drugs in a marketplace of more than 12,000 safe, affordable generic medications."

As Lisa Sigell reported on CBS2 News at 11 p.m. Friday, many pharmacists and consumers say the investigation is long overdue.

"We're trying to manage and control the disease so my organs don't become involved," says Amanda Greene of Culver City.

She's had lupus for 32 years. Greene was diagnosed at 15.

She blogs about Lupus and is known as "The Lupus Lady" in a blog where she chronicles the illness.

Greene was given a prognosis of 5 to 7 years to live 32 years ago. Doctors, she says, still look at her chart and wonder why she's still here.

Greene needs medication, lots of it, to manage pain and inflammation.

"Nobody said it would be easy," she says, "But it's better than the alternative.

One of her biggest challenges is managing the cost of her meds.

Over the past year, she says prices just haven't changed.

"They've doubled," she says.

Greene is far from alone in having to pay more out-0f-pocket.

"I've seen huge price increases on lots and lots of generic drugs," says Ellis Herz, a pharmacist who also owns Maxon's Drugs in Sherman Oaks.

He's floored at how fast prices have gone up.

"Where a bottle of 500 pills may have been $40 last year, that bottle is now $1,000," he says.

Earlier this year, the National Community Pharmacy Association called for Congressional hearings into the price spikes.

The group wants generic drug makers to justify all the hikes.

Pharmacists like Merz fear that unless prices come down and soon, a lot of people are not going to take their medication. Or they will ration it and take it every other day.

Greene already acknowledges that she's pill rationing.

"I make choices daily," she says, "my choices are can I get by without this? Do I need a patch today? Can I get by with half a patch?"

Greene would like to follow her doctors orders to the letter. But now she says she can't afford to.

RELATED LINKS:

For information about finding financial assistance to pay for medications, click here.

To read more about the Congressional investigation, click here.

To read more about "Lupus Lady" Amanda Greene, click here. You can also follow her on Twitter @LALupusLady.

You can reach Pharmacist Ellis Herz at Maxon's Drug, 14070 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 789-0301.

Sigell's report was produced by Gerri Shaftel Constant, CBS2/KCAL9 Medical Producer.