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Comment by dreamcompiler | Hacker News Reader

Doctors know generics are cheaper (or at least they used to be) but that's about it for their price awareness. This is not their fault. Doctors are inundated by drug salespeople "educating" them to prescribe the most expensive drugs. And drug salespeople never--ever--push aspirin.

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Every script I write is for a generic. I have never met a drug rep.

For many ailments there are five or six different drugs suited for the job. Goodrx helps me pick the most affordable.

> I have never met a drug rep.

Interesting. I wonder if this is because you're an ER doc and work in a hospital? Every doctor I know who sees patients in an office has to deal with sales reps.

But generics are not all they are cracked up to be. Bottle of Lies, for example, details problems with generics. And I've had personal experience with the FDA (finally) pulling a generic off the market b/c there was a potential for the drug to cause cancer.

I'm all for generics, but I'd like the government to do its part to protect the health and safety of the citizenry. (And no, I don't believe big pharma is being honest.)

My insurer has an app and web site to look up drug prices. It doesn’t require a login.

My doc could certainly use the same site I do to check. Her EMR could certainly check.

My doc will sit there with me as I look up prices and compare cheaper meds. I just wish it was faster to save both our time.

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