Prescription Medicines
Sally Perkins advises how to save on the cost of buying prescription medicines.
Knowing how to save money on prescription drugs brings a lot of relief to American households that remain stressed due to the out-of-pocket expenses incurred every month to pay for medical bills. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the costs many times as people try to boost their immunity by consuming certain medicines. Every American is keen to explore all possibilities of buying medication at a cheaper rate without compromising on quality. Here are some ways of reducing the cost of prescription medicines.
Buy generic medicines
The world knows that generic medicines are much cheaper than branded medicines. Doctors do not mind prescribing them because the generic medicines match the quality and efficacy of branded drugs. The considerable price difference should never be mistaken as an indicator of poor quality because medicines available in the market, branded or generic, are safe and effective for the treatment of diseases, duly endorsed by the FDA.
Since generic drug manufacturers do not spend money on drug discovery and save on the cost of research and development, they can maintain a lower price for the drugs. Ask the pharmacist if there is a generic version of the medicine available.
Enrol in discount programs
An easier way to save on medical expenses is to enrol in some drug discount programs. For example, many companies issue free discount cards for prescription medicines valid across the country and accepted by over 60,000 pharmacies that are part of the card-issuing company's network.
The preactivated cards do not have any expiry or eligibility criteria and do not have any limits attached to them. However, the discount varies between medicines based on the drug, the state, and the pharmacy. But on average, you can expect a 60% discount on prescription medicines.
Some pharmaceutical companies offer drug assistance programs to selected patients based on their income and health needs. Assistance programs are also available from some insurance companies, and you can check with your local government's website.
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Splitting pills
Depending on the type of medicine and its dose, it might be possible to order a double dose of your medicine and then split the pills in half. To split the pills, you must invest $5-$10 in a pill splitter that helps to do the job neatly. Please consult your physician about the possibility of pill splitting so that it does not compromise the effectiveness and safety of the drug.
FDA maintains a list of drugs that are safe for splitting. Such approved pills will have a 'How Supplied' section on the medicine label. In addition, the pill has a line visible across it that indicates the position of splitting. Only after splitting and consuming one pill should you split another.
Some online pharmacies offer good discounts to their customers, and the discount increases for loyal customers who regularly purchase. This scheme is perfect for those who buy medicines for continuous use in the long term. Also, check online for mail-order prices, which can sometimes provide good deals.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- PERKINS, S. (2020) Prescription Medicines [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article652.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Sally Perkins is a professional freelance writer with many years of experience across many different areas. She moved to freelancing from a stressful corporate job and loves the work-life balance it offers her. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family, and travelling as much as possible.