Saving Money on Prescription Drugs

1. Saving Money on Prescription Drugs Most people around the world take at least one prescription drug. With the changing times, a rise in the costs of prescription medications has been noticed, making them quite expensive. But this doesn’t have to mean that prescription medicines should be avoided because of financial issues. There are ways and resources to help people save money and avail discounts on prescription drugs while still putting their health first. For starters, the doctors and pharmacists that people consult can be extremely helpful in helping them look for affordable alternatives. Moreover, the following methods can be helpful in getting discounts on prescription drugs: Go for generic version of medications Generic medications have the same salt compositions as the branded drugs, but are often sold at a much lower price. Simply asking the pharmacist if they can provide you with a generic version of the medication prescribed can help. Though generics are generally cheaper, there might be a few exceptions. So, if a generic drug turns out to be more expensive, consulting your doctor directly for an alternative would be wise. Make the most of insurance policies It’s simple - when one takes insurance, they should take full advantage of it. Every insurance company has a few pre-listed drugs that are and aren’t covered under their policy. The list is called a formulary. But the person doesn’t have to sit reading through the whole list, it's easier to simply call up the insurance company and ask if the particular drug counts in. Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) Most pharmaceutical companies offer PAPs or Patient Assistance Programs that help avail prescription drugson discount price, or for free. There are a few eligibility rules for these programs, run either by private drug companies, health care providers or pharmaceutical manufacturers, or charities. Most of them are for people with limited income and some also cater to people who are uninsured. However, if someone has a health insurance and wants to use a PAP, they can check with their insurance company or a pharmacist to see how they can benefit from it. Prescription Drug Discount Cards There are a number of free prescription drug discount cards that provide a reduction on the full retail price of medicines. These cards differ from insurance in terms of function. There may be a lot of limitations on which drugs and pharmacies are covered by the card. As with PAPs, these cards are useful for people who are uninsured or under-insured for drug coverage. Do online shopping The price of a medication varies not only from the manufacturer’s end, but can also differ from one pharmacy to another. Technology and internet can help shop around better in this context. Various apps

2. not only sell medicines at discounted rates, but also let consumers compare the rates of different pharmacies in your area. Then there are some websites too that allow people to avail discounts in exchange of a monthly fee. This may sound obvious, but missing medicines to save money is very common. People tend to skip medication as a result of not being able to afford prescription medicines, which should never be done. Look for options as there’s always a way out.