Over-the-Counter Drugs Money Saving Tips, Ideas and Advice on How to Reduce Your Healthcare and Medical Expenses

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“Healthcare Savings Advice & Tips On How To Save Money On All Your Medical & Healthcare Expenses”

PRESCRIPTIONS & OTC DRUGS - 2

Prescription & Over-The-Counter Drugs (continued)

f. If you are expecting to use all your refills, try getting all of the refills filled at the same time. Sometimes the pharmacy charges less per pill because they are only filling one prescription, instead of three separate refills at three separate times. And sometimes, you only have to pay one co-pay instead of three. However, if you are using prescription coverage, most plans will not permit this practice.

g. Ask your doctor to give you a “mail order” prescription (i.e., a prescription for a three months supply) and order your prescription through a mail order discount pharmacy. This will almost always save you money. Just make sure you really need all those pills. If you have prescription coverage, your plan probably already has mail order coverage, and may even mandate using a specific mail order pharmacy for drugs you take over an extended period. If you do not have coverage, ask your doctor if they could suggest a mail order pharmacy, or just look on the Internet. Some people have chosen Canadian mail order companies to reduce costs, but these are not always the best deal. In any case, make sure you compare prices between mail order pharmacies since they differ. The web site PharmacyChecker.com can be helpful. Also compare mail order prices with other pharmacies, including Walmart’s $4 per month prices.

h. Ask your doctor if getting a prescription for double the dose and then cutting the pills in half is possible. Inexpensive tablet cutters are available at most pharmacies. You may also want to check with your pharmacist to make sure a particular medicine can be taken in this manner. But if you can, you may save up to 40% on the cost of the medicine.

3. Try to get “free” drugs whenever possible.

a. Ask your doctor for any free drug samples they can give you. Pharmaceutical companies give doctors thousands of dollars of free samples each year to give to their patients. This is also a good way to try a drug out to see if it is effective and you can tolerate the drug, before you buy a month’s supply.

b. Ask your doctor if they are aware of any discount programs that could help you afford your medication.

c. You may also be able to receive free prescription drugs directly from drug manufacturers. Many companies offer free drugs for people in need of assistance. Go to the web sites pparx.org/Intro.php and rxassist.org to find out if you qualify. Other assistance can be found at BenefitsCheckup.com.

d. Go to your drug manufacturer’s web site and see if they have any discounts or rebates available, or any drug assistance programs. Or try the web site OptimizeRx.com for potential savings.

4. Do not overpay for over-the-counter drugs.

a. If you use an over-the-counter drug on a regular basis, always consider the large size, where cost per pill or dosage can be much less.

b. Most over-the-counter drugs come in both highly-publicized brand names, as well as store brand names. Check the ingredients carefully, but the store brand almost always has the same identical active ingredients as the name brand. There is no difference at all, except the store brand will be considerably less expensive. Buy the store brand and save. This is true for most all over-the-counter drugs and remedies from aspirin to vitamins to cold remedies, etc.