Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
Maybe generic isn't the right term. I meant a brand of inhaler that is not associated with the earliest introduction of the drug, i.e. a post-patent entry to the market. I dunno if that has any real meaning. Forget I said anything about that. There apparently are cheaper and more expensive varieties. Anyway I use ProAir HFA at $35.99 for 3, 200-puff inhalers after insurance.
Albuterol is a name that's only used in the USA (maybe not exclusively, so almost only). Elsewhere, the drug is called
Salbutamol.
Before prescription drug (insurance) plans, I used to pay something close to $10.00 cash out of pocket for a refil, and a bit more for a complete inhaler. When drug plans became dominant this became an issue because the spot cash price was less than the insurance co-pay. For a while I'd get around the problem, by not bringing insurance, and peeling a few bills out of my money clip. Eventually, they solved the problem by raising the price, so the co-pay looked like a good deal.
Currently, I buy my Salbutamol over the counter in Cozumel paying like $30.00 (USD) for a pack of three complete inhalers.