By Emily Miller
Navigating the annual health plan change, figuring out insurance copays, and finding a pharmacy that offers the best deal can be a daunting task that may deter people from filling prescription medication.
Addition strain has also been placed on consumers who are covered under the Medicare medication healthcare plan.
Fortunately the Harvard Women’s Health Watch, November 2014 edition, offers up to four strategies to help consumers save money on their prescription medications.
Opt for generic brands
“Generics are just as good as brand-name drugs,” said Dr. Jerry Avorn, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, in a news release. “In fact, they are less expensive than brand-name drugs.”
Can’t find a generic version of a particular drug?
A prescription for a generic in the same class of drugs may do nicely. For example, there isn’t a generic version of Crestor, a cholesterol-lowering statin, but there are five other generic statins that may work just as well.
Periodically re-evaluate medication
Every year or so, dump all pill bottles into a paper bag – including over-the-counter medications and supplements then ask a trusted doctor or pharmacist to review them.
Some of the drugs may duplicate the actions of others, have harmful interactions with one another, or aren’t needed any more. This process may help you cut down on the quantity of medications you consume thus cutting down on cost.
Consider forgoing vitamins, minerals and supplements.
As the saying goes, less is always more. This is especially true with vitamins, minerals and supplements, as often times they are a waste of money and can sometimes jeopardize your health.
Comparison shopping
Different pharmacies pay different prices to manufacturers and wholesalers to be able to sell their products to consumers. Each company uses their own system to mark up drug prices, which might reflect what the consumer will pay for the drug.
Several websites – such as goodrx.com and rxpricequotes.com – make it easy to shop around for the best prices. With these websites, you can type in a drug name and your ZIP code and get an idea of what pharmacies in your neighborhood are charging. It is recommended to follow through with a phone call to the pharmacy, as prices are subject to change.
But trying to get the best deal on each and every drug could mean losing the advantage of having a trusted and knowledgeable pharmacist. A comprise – fill prescriptions at the pharmacy that offers the best price for the costliest drug.
By implementing one or more of these steps, you may be able to save a sufficient amount of money of your prescription medications.
