Dopers who've been thru fertility treatment - cheap drugs?

[Maggie the Ocelot]

Hey all,

As I've mentioned before, Husband and I are attempting to create New Life together. So far, lesser and cheaper methods have failed, and we're going to have to go thru IVF.

We've got a good doctor, and have saved up enough to pay for everything. (The money had originally been earmarked as the downpayment on a house; however, as someone here pointed out, we can buy a house in 10 years if necessary. Baby, though, is a now-or-never thing.)

One of the variable-cost items that the doctor went over with us is the fertility drugs - which, he said, usually cost $2,500-$4,500 per IVF cycle. :eek: However, it is one of the few things that we can actually control the cost on!

I know that quite a few dopers have gone through this before, and I was hoping some of you could give me tips on reputable online pharmacies or other resources to help cut this down, or at least keep it toward the lower end of the range.

Any tips on any other part of this rollercoaster would be great. We're waiting for my next cycle to start before we can begin the process, and I'm trying to do research...but there are so damn many scams out there on the Web that I'd rather get info from folks I trust (that would be y'all!)

Thanks,

Maggie


ETA: This might be more of a GQ thing than IMHO. Feel free to move if applicable.

[suranyi]

We used Schraft's, which is a division of Walgreen's that specializes in fertility medicines. They do everything via mail order:

http://www.schrafts.com

Whoops, I just looked up the web site and it seems it's been brought into the Walgreen's brand as a "Walgreen's Specialized Pharmacy"

In any case their prices were reasonable -- certainly better than going to the neighborhood pharmacy. But it was still about $3000 if I recall correctly.

[ENugent]

We also used Schraft's, and their service was really, really good. I think the cheapest pharmacy depends on which protocol you're using - do you know?

You can get good, detailed information on questions like this at the message boards at IVF Connections (http://www.ivfconnections.com/). Not that you shouldn't ask at the SDMB, of course, but there are a LOT of people there going through the same thing you are, compared to relatively few here at the Dope.

[Hirka T'Bawa]

When looking for online pharmacies, make sure they are accredited by VIPPS (http://www.nabp.net/programs/accreditation/vipps/). VIPPS is an accreditation given to online pharmacies that are legitimate, and follow the respective rules that all pharmacies have to obey.

As for the OP, there are many medications and supplies needed when going through an IVF cycle. Get a list of the medications and supplies (syringes, needles, sharps box, etc) you need, and then see if your insurance will cover any of it. It might be cheaper to get some of the meds from your local pharmacy if your insurance covers it.

[cherry]

I got mine at a local pharmacy but the needles were free. I think the cost mostly depends on your protocol and if your taking more or less. I paid around 4k. Goodluck.

[needscoffee]

I wonder if it's possible to fill your prescriptions in Mexico - if it's legal, and if the medication is safe. I know it used to be A LOT cheaper.

And good luck!

[Girl From Mars]

I can't help I'm sorry - all of the drugs for my cycle were provided as part of the fee by my clinic (Australia). Wanted to wish you lots of luck though!

[Hampshire]

I'm sure you've looked into it but are you doing a "shared-risk" program?

These typically charge a flat fee for up to 3 IVF cycles. If after 3 cycles no pregnancy occurs they refund 70% of the fee. Typical cost is around 2x the cost of one cycle.
They normally don't include the price of drugs however.

[Maggie the Ocelot]

Thank you all! The VIPPS information is really useful - I had been despairing of finding a way to tell a good online pharmacy from a bad one.

It looks like IVF Connections isn't accepting new registrants right now ><

And I'm too old (39) to qualify for most "Shared Risk" programs - but my doctor does have a discount program if you prepay for more than one cycle's worth of treatment. No refund if I conceive first round, but it still seems a good idea to hedge my bets.

Ugh. This whole process is so annoying!