subject: How To Save Money On Prescription Drugs [print this page] With our economy in questionable condition, it has been hard for many to pay for necessary items. One of these items happens to be prescribing services. There are many people who need certain medications for problems such as heart disease or diabetes, and cannot afford to not take their medicine. However, it is not made easy for them to do so. In order to save on the cost of these drugs, some cut pills in half, don't take their medication as often as they should or just stop refilling their prescriptions all together, all of these methods are harmful to the individual and not the route to take when trying to save money.
One of the first things to realize in this process of saving money is that newer drugs do not mean they are better drugs. Actually, newer versions of medication may occasionally be inferior to older and less expensive pills. This being said, the next time your doctor tries to persuade you into changing your prescription to a more recent medication, don't feel pressured to, as it may cause you further medical and financial problems down the line.
Believe it or not, giving out free sample drugs to patients is not a good idea. Giving out some samples here and there is ok, however, some doctors will give out an entire month's supply of samples to a patient and once they run out, it forces the patient into paying for an expensive medication or a less expensive one that they have never tried before. It has also been proven that practices that distribute free drug samples cost their patients an average of $7 more per prescription each month than practices that do not give out samples.
It is also extremely beneficial for people to buy the generic version of prescription drugs. Always make sure to ask your doctor if it is possible to get a less expensive alternative that might be equally effective for whatever condition you may have. If you're taking more than one medication, you might be able to cut costs by getting a generic pill that combines the drugs you need. Also, if you've been taking a certain medication for a couple months, you should consider buying several months' supply in bulk. Patients who are interested in this should check with their doctors before going this route, just in case the doctor is planning on making alterations.
This type of prescription management can help out a lot of people in the long run. Everything is becoming so expensive anymore that it is a struggle for most to get by. These tips can help you save money while still getting the medication you need to help you.
