Story perspectives

Ohio Study: Direct Pharmacy Prices Beat Insurance Costs

10/15/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Ohio State University study finds some neurologic medications may cost less when bought directly from pharmacies than through insurance.
Teriflunomide costs $205 and droxidopa $238 when purchased directly, compared with $286 and $238 through insurance.
Insurance costs were 413% higher than direct-to-consumer prices.
This model benefits uninsured patients but is not a universal solution due to limited availability and higher costs for many drugs.

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Story summary

The Ohio State University study finds some neurologic medications may cost less when bought directly from pharmacies than through insurance.
Teriflunomide costs $205 and droxidopa $238 when purchased directly, compared with $286 and $238 through insurance.
Insurance costs were 413% higher than direct-to-consumer prices.
This model benefits uninsured patients but is not a universal solution due to limited availability and higher costs for many drugs.