Frugal Pharmaceuticals: FourTips for Saving Money on Your Prescriptions

If you take prescription drugs on a regular basis, you might find yourself dreading your monthly trip to the pharmacy.  Prescription prices can be exorbitant, and they only seem to be getting higher.  You can feel trapped into paying these large sums, because it seems like there is no alternative.  It certainly is never a good idea to simply stop taking your prescriptions without first consulting your doctor.  The consequences of doing something like that could be grave.  So what do you do to save on prescriptions without endangering your health?  Here are four ideas to help save you money the next time you’re due for a run to the pharmacy. 

1. Replace your current, brand-name drugs with generic brands.  If your doctor has prescribed you something and you found yourself shocked at the cost, chances are it’s a brand-name medication.  Replacing brand names with generics will give you lower costs, and a wider availability of discounts.  Check deals sites like CouponCravings.com for ways to help you save on your next trip to the pharmacy.

Ask your doctor about low-cost alternatives.

1. If the drugs your doctor has prescribed are extremely expensive, CNN Health suggests asking your doctor about lower cost alternatives. Your doctor knows about all the different prescriptions on the market, so there’s a good a chance he or she will be able to find you something that will save you money, and still treat your condition effectively.

1. Check into manufacturer programs for free or reduced-price prescription drugs.  According to the Minnesota Department of Health, there are manufacturer programs available that offer some prescription medication for free or with a small co-payment.  It will usually be up to your doctor to get in touch with the company and give them all the pertinent information about you and your prescription.  But your doctor probably won’t do anything unless you ask him or her about it.  If you qualify, a three-month supply will be delivered to your doctor’s office.  From time to time you might have to reapply to the program.

1. Try out a free discount card program.  RXSavingsPlus is for people without insurance or who take medication that their insurance doesn’t cover.  It’s a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 60,000 participating pharmacies across the nation.  There are no fees to enroll.  You simply show the card to your pharmacist for any prescriptions that are not covered and on average you will save 22 percent.  To get a card, go to the website and click on the link to print one out.  You’ll have to fill out a short form, but you will get your card and be able to begin saving immediately.

Prescription medication can cost a lot, and it can seem like there is no way to lower these costs.  However, there are a few things you can try that will add up to savings on your next drugstore run.  Make sure you check into the programs that are available, and don’t forget to talk to your doctor.