---
title: Big Pharma's Latest Trick Is Combining Cheap Generic Drugs into Insanely Expensive Single Tablets
description: Drug companies—not content with nickel-and-dimming consumers on brand name drugs—have found a new way to cash in on cheaper prescriptions.
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published: '2016-10-31T12:52:40.000Z'
modified: '2024-05-16T11:56:53.000Z'
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> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![GlaxoSmithKline PLC's migraine medicine Treximet, the anti-i](https://img.money.com/2016/10/gettyimages-94959033.jpg)
*Migraine medicine Treximet.*

One common way to save on sky-rocketing prescription drug costs is to go with the generic version, when available. But now, drug companies—not content with simply [nickel-and-dimming](https://money.com/insulin-price-increase/) consumers on brand name drugs—have found a new way to cash in on the cheaper prescriptions.

Pharmaceutical companies like Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc. are selling tablets that combine inexpensive generic drugs into single tablets that are then priced hundreds of dollars higher than the individual medications, the [Wall Street *Journal*](http://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmakers-turn-cheap-generics-into-expensive-pills-1477849345) reports.

***Read Next: [Average Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Costs Are Actually Decreasing](https://money.com/average-prescription-out-of-pocket-costs-decreasing/)***

Treximet combines two active ingredients, sumatriptan and naproxen, to help with migraines. While Treximet's ingredients can be purchased separately for very little money, together they cost one consumer over $700 for nine tablets. Meanwhile, the two active ingredients cost around $19 on their own, according to [GoodRX](http://www.goodrx.com/), a website that compares prescription drug prices.

Other drugs facing a huge markup include Acanya, an acne cream, Duexis, for rheumatoid pain, and Qsymia, for weight loss.

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