Top 17 Ways to Cut Your Prescription Drug Costs by Gary Nave

patients. A one-month supply of Pepcid 20mg cost

approximately $60. Pepcid AC, over-the-counter in 10mg

strength, taking double the dose costs approximately $23.

·Most prescription cold medications average $20 to $60 for

a one month supply and contain the same decongestant that is

available over-the-counter for less than $2.

9. Get Only a 7-day Supply of New Medication.

·If the doctor does not have samples, ask your pharmacist

to give you only a one-week supply to try. It is a federal

law that medicines can’t be returned once they are

dispensed. If you get a month's supply and can’t tolerate

the medicine, you have just lost that money.

10. Stop Using Drugs You No Longer Need.

·Review all your prescriptions with your doctor at each

visit. You may be paying for some drugs you no longer need.

·Doctor run www.rxaminer.com provides a custom analysis of

your medications to save you money. You can get a free, no

obligation, Cost Screening to find out how much you can

save.

·Also ask your pharmacist to review your medications in

addition to your doctor. Here is why. A pharmacist's

valuable services and knowledge are free. He may also find

something your doctor missed.

·A lady developed a persistent cough after she had been

taking a blood pressure medication for approximately 3

months. Her doctor treated her cough with antibiotics and

cough syrup for 6 months. She asked her pharmacist about her

cough lasting so long. The pharmacist found that a possible

side effect of her new blood pressure medication was a

persistent cough. Her doctor argued but changed her medicine

and her cough stopped. The lady had spent over $750 in

doctor’s fees and medication just to treat the cough.

·A mother was giving her daughter antibiotics to treat a

kidney infection. Her daughter consistently had a fever.

This continued for several months. The baby’s pediatrician

prescribed several antibiotics unsuccessfully. After

searching the literature, the pharmacist discovered that the

antibiotic had a side effect of persistent low-grade fever.

In the end, the mother had spent over $500 on doctor visits

and prescription cost.

·Don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist questions, their

advice is free and can often save you money and aggravation.

Ask questions about side effects, and drug interactions.

11. Order Your Prescription Drugs by Phone.

·You can save 20%-50% by ordering prescription drugs over

the phone. Bonus, you do not have to pick them up at the

pharmacy.

·Make a list of your medications, including strength and

number taken daily. Then list at least six pharmacies you

are going to call. Don’t forget about discount mail order

sources too, several are listed at the end of this booklet.

Then call and get prices, ask if this is their best price

available. Compare the costs.

12. Pay Attention to the Quantity.

·Find out how much medication you really may need, and make

sure your doctor doesn't order you more medicine than is

necessary to treat your condition.

13. Ask Your Doctor for Samples at Every visit. They Usually

Have Plenty.

14. Take Only Those Drugs You Really Need.

·When your doctor prescribes medication for you, understand

exactly what it's meant to do and for how long. If you

areprescribed two drugs for the same symptom, ask if you

really need both.

15. Buy Home Test Kits.

·Kits for determining ovulation, pregnancy and colorectal

cancer, can be purchased as home tests instead of paying

twice as much for similar kits at your doctor's office.

16. Cross the Border.

·If you live close to either Canada or Mexico, you can buy

some medications in either country for 75% off the U.S.

price.

17. AARP Members are Eligible for Many Discounts, Including

Mail-Order Pharmacy Discounts.

·Ask for an AARP discount.

If you have questions about these tips or your medication

ask your doctor and pharmacist.

*********************************

* Senior Discount Card Programs *

*********************************

(G) GlaxoSmithKline’s The Orange Card (888) 672-6436

·Covers all GSK’s drugs. Must have an annual income below

$30,000 per individual or $40,000 per couple

·30% average at participating pharmacies

(L) Eli Lilly’s LillyAnswers Card (877) 795-4559

·Covers all Lilly’s drugs except controlled substances.

Must have an annual income below $18,000 per individual or

$24,000 per couple.

·$12 Co-pay per prescription for 30-day supply.

(N) Novartis’ CareCard call (866) 974-2273

·Covers select Novartis drugs. ·Tier 1 must have an annual

income below $18,000 per individual or $24,000 per couple.

$12 Co-pay per prescription for 30-day supply.

·Tier 2 must have an annual income below $26,000 per

individual or $35,000 per couple. Receive a 25% or more

discount.

(P) Pfizer’s The Share Card call (800) 717-6005

·Covers all Pfizer’s drugs. Must have an annual income

below $18,000 per individual or $24,000 per couple.

·$15 Co-pay per prescription for 30-day supply.

(T) Together Rx Card (800) 865-7211

·Over 150 select drugs from a group of manufacturers. Must

have an annual income below $28,000 per individual or

$38,000 per couple. (Higher in AK and HI).

·Savings of approximately 20-40% off the amount you usually

pay for prescriptions and, in many cases, substantially

more.

END

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BIO:

The Cost Containment Research Institute is a public interest group dedicated to helping consumers find important information on cost saving medical topics. CCRI publishes a book that may help lower your prescription drug costs.

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