Simvastatin Costs Vary Widely

Click chart to enlarge
This chart appeared in the Wall Street Journal this AM and discloses the remarkable variation in price on some generic drugs between pharmaceutical outlets. I was particularly struck by the cost variations of generic simvastatin (Zocor) between pharmacies.

But this quote was of particular interest:

Chain drugstores argue that their business model is different from a company like Costco or Sam's Club. CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreen Co. all say that about two-thirds of their revenues come from prescription drugs.

"We don't sell snow tires," says Mike DeAngelis, a spokesman for CVS/pharmacy. "The core of our business is the pharmacy."

Now that the word has gotten out and people run to Costco and Sam's Club, CVS might want to rethink the snow tire angle.

-Wes

P.S.: Another helpful site for drug price comparisons: Destinationrx.com.