How to Cut Costs on Prescription Medicines

The cost of prescription medicines can really cut into the family budget. If the high-cost of prescription drugs are hitting you hard take a look at these cost saving ideas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Doctor visit

   When a visit to the doctor results in a new prescription medicine be sure to discuss the cost with your doctor. Ask if there is a less costly one that might work just as well. Sometimes there are similar drugs that might just be as effective. It is always best to discuss all your options with effectiveness and cost in mind. A generic medicine can save as much as 50% and sometimes more. The FDA says a generic medicine has the same active ingredients and just as effective. Go to www.fda.gov/cder/ob. to compare generic of one medicine to the brand name of the same medicine.

2. 
    
   Cut cost with your pharmacy

   Shopping around pharmacies is a smart thing to do because not all pharmacies charge the same price on the same medicine. One thing you can do is ask if the pharmacies you prefer will match the lowest price you found at a different pharmacy.

3. 
    
   Cutting your pill in half doesn't always work. But if you can it can be well worth it.

   Another way to take charge and cut your cost is to double up and get more for your money. You can trim your expenses by having your doctor write a prescription for two times your usual dose. Then cut your pill in half when you take your usual dosage. If your health plan allows you a 90-day prescription you can slash the price of your prescription by buying more than 1 months supply. Go to www.pparx.org to see if you qualify or to see what is available for a pharaceutical company to pick up all or part of the cost.

Tips & Warnings

• A word of caution: Online pharmacies that ship out prescription medicines at a low cost can actually cost you more because some of these companies send out medicines not properly stored or are expired.