The prices may become a bit of a burden in the pockets to the point of being tempted to skip the prescription or being creative (in a negative way) in terms of how to acquire them. In that case, consider the below tips on how to save money on prescription drugs.
-
Focus on Preventive Care
Preventive care is the absolute first step for saving on prescriptions. Taking necessary steps to have regular check-ups and wellness visits are essential in keeping your health in check. Professional health advisers do agree on this and promote the use of preventive health care methods to lead healthy lives. A healthy life means minimal to no prescription drugs to pay for.
Furthermore, regular exercise, healthy diet and effective stress management have significant impact in keeping you healthy. By preventing illness and sickness in the first place, you are a step ahead of staying away from medicine.
-
Be a Keen Shopper
Any shopper looking to save some money will look at different places for the same item and compare prices. When it comes to prescription drugs, the case is precisely the same. Look at prices of your prescribed medication from supermarkets, online, retail stores, and so forth. Comparing of prices gives you an idea of where shopping will save you money.
Discounts are another thing. A lot of times retail stores and drug stores have promotions of certain drugs. Be aware of any sales and check the discounted prescriptions to see any of your prescriptions are listed.
-
Consider Generic Brands
Generic drugs are often a lot less expensive than name brands. According to WebMD, nearly 80% of drugs approved by the FDA have generic alternatives that cost four times less than the name brands counterparts. You can take advantage of this and save a lot of money. Carefully examine your prescription list to see any drugs that have generic alternatives. If there are any (chances are there are some) consult your doctor on what you intend to do and seek their advice. If they see there is nothing wrong with exchanging, then great! All the better for your wallet.
-
Let Your Doctor in on Your Finances
Contrary to popular belief, your doctor is not just a diagnosing and prescribing source, he can be a useful source of finding alternatives in order to save you money. If you’re struggling to pay for your prescriptions, have a talk with your doctor about considering less expensive option of prescriptions.
-
Consider Patient Assistance
If your list looks like it cannot be afforded, there is still an option to get discounts for people in need. If your prescriptions are high in cost, some pharmaceutical drug companies have discounts. You can find out whether or not the particular company offers discounts or free drugs by checking out their website. Furthermore, you should look into patient assistance programs that help in alleviating the drug costs. The website is NeedyMeds.com. There, you can find lists of assistance programs. If you are in need, chances are you may qualify for a few programs.