The cost of prescriptions is on the rise.
Many people have been laid off and find themselves without health insurance.
This situation necessitates looking for less expensive medications or different means for obtaining them.
Is this uncertain economy, affording health care and medications can be a real challenge.
I hope the tips I offer in this article will help you save money on your medications.
Go Generic - Take a close look at the medications you are taking.
If you are not already taking generic drugs, this is one place you can cut costs.
The cost is the major difference between brand-name and generic drugs.
If you are unsure, check with your physician.
Even when purchasing non-prescription items, if you check the labels you will find the ingredients are the same in store-brand or name-brand items.
Generic drugs can save you up to 90%.
If a generic-brand is not available see if there is a similar drug in the same class that has a generic version available.
As an example, Lipitor a cholesterol drug does not have a generic equivalent but Zocor another statin does.
Cut your pills in half enabling you to cut the costs.
Drugs, as a rule, cost the same regardless of the dosage.
If you are taking a dosage of 50 mg ask your doctor to write a script for 100mg allowing you to split the pill in half and get "double" for your money.
You will need to discuss this option with your doctor.
Do your - The internet has a wealth of information.
You can cut your prescription costs by 70% by shopping online.
Be sure to check with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies (NABP) at for a list of reputable, recognizable sites.
These sites have earned a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) Accreditation.
The U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration can also provide advice on buying medications on line.
Order by mail - if you are fortunate to have health insurance, many plans allows you to purchase a 90-day supply at a lower cost than what you would pay at your local pharmacy.
If you choose this method be sure to order your medications two weeks in advance so you do not risk running out.
$4.
00 Generic Drugs - Many pharmacies offer a generic $4.
00 per month or $10.
00 for a 90-day supply for certain generic drugs.
Ask your pharmacy for a list of the drugs they provide on this program.
Here I would like to offer a word of caution.
Just because your doctor is prescribing a generic drug does not mean it is definitely on this program.
I personally take Tricor and my doctor wrote me a script for the generic brand.
I was in a state of shock when my pharmacist told me it cost $144.
00.
for a 90-day supply.
Needless to say, I did not buy those and went through the necessary steps to have the brand-name Tricor sent out from the pharmaceutical manufacturer for zero cost.
Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs - If you have little or no prescription drug coverage, you definitely want to check into this option.
Major pharmaceutical companies provide drugs for free or at a low cost to people who qualify.
You can find more information by going online to the pharmaceutical manufacturer of your drug.
You will find applications on their website that you can print out or request.
You will need to complete the application, get your doctor to fill in his applicable section, provide copies of your last two years of income tax returns, and social security payment information, if that applies.
There are also companies, such as RX for Less that will take care of submitting your forms for a nominal fee.
If you have the time, filling out these forms and submitting them is not difficult and will help you save the cost of administration services.
If you decide to go directly through your pharmaceutical manufacturer, be sure you mark on your calendar when you will need to request a refill so you do not run out.
This all takes some effort on your part, but the savings are substantial.
I hope that this information will help you save money on medications.
I wish you good health!