Drug prices up/Fosamax

Posted by sebutler @sebutler, Nov 12 9:27pm

I had to research drug plans for 2026 to see which one would be cheapest for Fosamax. I couldn't believe it: The cheapest price for Fosamax was $1,800+!!! I was shocked. This medicine has been around for at least 20 years; shouldn't it be less expensive? I thought it would have a simple copay of $20 or so. Is this the price everyone is finding now?? One can get the generic for $0, but is it as effective??

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

njx58 | @njx58 | Nov 13 8:30am

The generic is perfectly fine.

sebutler | @sebutler | Nov 13 10:43am

In reply to @njx58 "The generic is perfectly fine." + (show)

@njx58 Good to know. Thank you. But I still wonder why the price of Fosamax is so high.

hollygs | @hollygs | Nov 13 11:10am

I always check prices at GoodRx and CVS. The latter will often have coupons that provide significant discounts. Best wishes to you moving forward!

njhornung | @normahorn | Nov 13 11:18am

Remember to check costplus (Mark Cuban's pharmnacy)

sebutler | @sebutler | Nov 13 11:26am

In reply to @hollygs "I always check prices at GoodRx and CVS. The latter will often have coupons that provide..." + (show)

@hollygs Great tip -- thanks!

sebutler | @sebutler | Nov 13 11:53am

In reply to @normahorn "Remember to check costplus (Mark Cuban's pharmnacy)" + (show)

@normahorn I hadn't heard of this online pharmacy before -- thank you! I checked it out -- has the generic only ($6), so it is cheaper with my insurance. Again, still wondering about the rise in price for Fosamax (non-generic). I'm assuming that last year and earlier, it was cheaper; that it has suddenly gone up in price in 2026. But perhaps I am wrong.

hollygs | @hollygs | Nov 13 2:51pm

In reply to @sebutler "@hollygs Great tip -- thanks!" + (show)

@sebutler You're welcome!

hollygs | @hollygs | Nov 13 3:22pm

In reply to @sebutler "@normahorn I hadn't heard of this online pharmacy before -- thank you! I checked it out..." + (show)

@sebutler I suspect that Fosamax isn't more expensive now, but that the drug plans you looked at are assessing it at a higher price. A steep markup often results in more money going to the insurance company.