November 23,  2009

               LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the results of an undercover survey that showed significant price variations at pharmacies across the state for the H1N1 drug Tamiflu.  Cox's team of investigators looked into the price of liquid Tamiflu, a form commonly used to treat children, at fifty different pharmacies across five Michigan communities and found that some consumers may be paying more than they need to.

            Excluding select pharmacies offering free Tamiflu while their supplies last, the Attorney General discovered that statewide prices ranged from $28.00 at one Lansing pharmacy to $140.00 at a pharmacy in Grand Rapids.  Pharmacies in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Traverse City were contacted, and the price range in each community included:

Detroit-                       $50.00 to $122.00;

Lansing-                     $28.00 to $119.00;

Grand Rapids-            $47.90 to $140.00;

Flint-                          $48.00 to $94.00; and

Traverse City-             $54.90 to $129.99

Cox urges Michigan residents to shop around for the best price on Tamiflu and all their prescription needs.  The Attorney General's office is contacting pharmacies with higher prices to gain more insight into why some have prices that are significantly higher than others. 

"The high cost at some pharmacies of a drug that can save lives is disturbing," said Cox.  "These prices show the importance of checking more than one pharmacy, especially residents without insurance."

Cox also released a consumer alert today, titled "How to Safely Save Money on Prescription Drugs," including tips to help consumers shop around for the best price on a prescription for Tamiflu and other drugs.  The consumer alert, found at www.michigan.gov/tamiflu also warns consumers to stay away from so-called "miracle" H1N1 cures that they may find on the Internet. 

            Consumers who believe they have been charged an excessive amount for Tamiflu should contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (877) 765-8388.  Complaints can also be filed at www.Michigan.gov/ag. 

Michigan consumers looking for additional information about the H1N1 or seasonal flu, including tips to help prevent or treat the flu, and examples of fraudulent flu products, are encouraged to visit http://www.flu.gov. 

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