How to Save Money on Prescription Drugs

Every penny counts these days, but when it comes to prescription drugs, we all know that the cost is skyrocketing. Many people who have lost their jobs have also lost health insurance, others have had their coverage reduced. Yet there are just some medications that we cannot be without, and of course those unexpected illnesses that hit us out of the blue. What can you do to minimize the shock to your pocketbook? I have some ideas for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• internet access
• time to visit with your doctor and pharmacy
• patience
• creative thinking

1. If you are currently taking prescription medication and are facing a dilemma about how to afford it, gather up your meds and call your pharmacy. If you have been paying insurance copayments and now will have to pay full retail for them, ask for cash prices so you'll know what you are looking at. Ask if they are all generic drugs. If not, ask if there is a generic equivalent. Make a note of any that are not generic so that you can call your doctor.

2. Perhaps you're a lucky one whose meds are all generics. You can still save more money. Check out the four-dollar drugs lists at Walmart and other chain pharmacies (most are matching Walmart's prices). These drugs lists are posted on the companies' websites, or you can get one at the pharmacy. There are no controlled substances on these lists. Most of these pharmacies are also selling 90-day supplies for ten dollars.

3. If you patronize a pharmacy that does not advertise a four-dollar drug list, ask about it. Many smaller pharmacies will meet the prices if you ask. I do not recommend going to several different pharmacies for your meds; you should try to keep all your records in one place, not only for your own safety, but also to save time and gas when you have to pick them up. When you have prescription insurance coverage, your prescriptions are automatically checked for drug interactions no matter which pharmacy you use. If you are paying cash, the screening will only be for the meds you've received at the one pharmacy. If you have to use more than one pharmacy, have a list of all your meds and ask about interactions or side effects when you talk to the pharmacist.

4. So you've found that you have one or two prescriptions for which there is no generic available, and the cost is exorbitant. However, you need this medication and cannot stop taking it. You have a couple of options. You can talk to your doctor and ask if there is a similar generic drug that he/she thinks will work for you. Oftentimes doctors will prescribe brand name drugs due to detailing by drug reps from the large drug manufacturers. These reps will have a spiel about how this drug is so much better than a recently-gone-generic drug (that they produced). This is common practice in the drug industry. When a brand name drug is about to go "off patent" and become generically available, the company will develop a "new" drug that is chemically almost identical to the old drug, but because it is not exactly the same, it receives a new patent. And the drug company gets to charge a fortune for it, and make still more money. Oftentimes, these newer drugs are no better than the originals, but they will ALWAYS be much more expensive.

5. If your doctor does not want to prescribe anything different from the brand name drug that you are taking, and there is not a similar generic, you aren't skunked yet. He/she may have samples in their office to get you by until you can research other ways to pay for the drug. Many brand name drugs will have substantial discount programs, which you can find online. Usually it is as easy as searching www.brandnamedrug.com (insert the name of the drug. For instance, Lipitor has an online coupon. Some companies even have programs for long-term discounts. You will have to fill out a form with a lot of personal information about your finances to see if you qualify, but it may be worth it.

6. I really don't recommend getting your meds from Canada or via any other "mail" type program. Some insurance plans will force you to use mail order, but avoid it if you can. They are notorious for not sending the meds out in a timely manner, and you will have difficulty reaching a pharmacist if you have questions. Also, some medications are temperature-sensitive. In extremely hot or cold weather, there could be some breakdown in the medication which could cause chemical changes.

7. When you're seeing your doctor for a new medical condition, always ask for a generic drug. Or, if there isn't one, ask if he/she has any samples available. You may be able to save yourself the cost of an expensive antibiotic, for instance, if your doctor has samples in his office.

8. Saving money on prescriptions is challenging, but it can be done with some effort and creative thinking. Work with your doctor and pharmacist to find the best deals and the best medications to manage your medical conditions.