How to Buy Prescriptions for Less

The cost of prescription medication can be very high even with insurance benefits, but there are a lot of people without insurance. For those people prescriptions that they need to live a normal, pain-free life can be too expensive to buy. Whether you have insurance or not, whether you have lots of money or very little, you can buy your prescriptions for less. Find out where to look and save money now.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access

1. 
   Ask your doctor to write a prescription for a generic version of your medication

   GENERICS
   Ask your doctor if there is a generic version of whatever they are prescribing for you, when you are talking with them. If the drug is very costly, there also may be another similar prescription medication available that is less expensive- all you have to do is ask, or do some research on your own.

2. 
   Pharmaceutical companies give doctors samples of some medications

   SAMPLES
   Ask your doctor if they have any samples of your prescription medication. You just might get your whole prescription!

3. 
   some herbs and alternative treatments provide just as much relief as prescription drugs

   HERBAL AND ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES
   Research alternative remedies for your condition- and ask your doctor- there may be some less-expensive over-the-counter herbal remedy that is just as effective for a lot less.

4. 
   Call around and compare

   COMPARE AND SAVE
   The price of prescription drugs can really vary from store to store, so be sure to call a few pharmacies before filling your prescription. Also, if you have a Costco in your area, you don't need a membership to use the pharmacy, so check their prices too.

5. 
   Find discounts and coupons for prescriptions online

   COUPONS
   Look online and in magazines for discounts and coupons provided by the pharmaceutical companies.

6. 
   Save money with patient-assistance programs

   PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
   There are a few programs that are for people who don't have insurance and are low-income in which you can get big discounts, sometimes more than 75% off. There are some programs that are available for everyone, and others that are available only for people who have a lower-income or are un-insured. Some to look into:
   Together Rx
   Needymeds.org
   PPARx.org
   Rx Assist.org

Resources

• Together Rx
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance
• Rx Assist
• Needy Meds

[dthere]

on 4/6/2009 Good presentation of options....5

[MSmith]

on 3/10/2009 Valuable information for those who need it. Thanks. 5*

[1InternetSmarty]

on 3/9/2009 Extremely valuable information. Thanks so much. Five stars.