Taking prescription drugs isn’t just something older adults do. About 61% of millennials in the US take one medication daily at a minimum. Furthermore, the most common prescriptions for this are antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, anti-inflammatory meds, and others.
People tend to take more prescription drugs to function at their best as they age. However, medications can be expensive and overwhelming in your budget. Lucky for you, there are several strategies you can do to reduce the cost of your medications. These are the following:
Consider Taking Generic Drugs
Not all drugs have a generic equivalent. However, those that have tend to cost about 30 to 80 percent less. Plus, they are composed of the same active ingredients and provide the same effects as brand-name drugs.
You don’t have to wait to go to the pharmacy before you can ask for a generic drug. However, it would be best to let your physician know before they can write you a prescription. Furthermore, it is essential to know that several popular but affordable generic drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) classes are available at almost every pharmacy. This includes:
- Heartburn meds
- Cholesterol-lowering statins
- Antihistamines (non-sedating)
- Selected type 2 diabetes medications
Look for Coupons
Consider searching for coupons online to save money on your prescriptions. Many websites, such as BuzzRX have programs such as BuzzRX savings that offer discount coupons on selected medications. However, it is vital to remember that coupons usually work only with cash transactions and for specific types of medication.
After finding a coupon, you can easily take it to the pharmacy, and they will then enter the code for you to gain a discount. Several pharmacies nowadays accept discount cards. However, it is essential to know that not all of them honor coupons. Thus, it would be best to ring a call before you drive to the pharmacy.
Look for Free Medication Samples
Most doctors receive bulk medication samples from pharmaceutical pharmacies. These samples are intended to be given to patients for review. Moreover, your doctor might have these, so feel free to ask.
Most of the time, doctors are given maintenance medication samples. This includes blood pressure meds and asthma inhalers. Furthermore, it’s possible that these samples don’t have any generic equivalent yet. Thus, it would be best to ask your doctor for a substitute if you run out of the sample.
Shop Around
If you want to pay your prescription costs entirely out of your pocket, it is recommended to shop around. Knowing that the prices of meds in pharmacies tend to vary widely is critical. Most of the time, it depends on the volume of prescriptions and the pharmacy’s location.
You can compare and check for the most affordable prices online or by calling. However, it would also help if you talked to the pharmacist. They might find a better way even to reduce the cost of your prescription drug and keep you as a contented patient.
For safety and consistency, it would be best to maintain your prescriptions at one pharmacy. Your pharmacist can help you be consistent with your medications. They can also check for side effects, drug interactions, and allergies you might have or will develop along the way.
Consider an Online Pharmacy
There are plenty of online pharmacies with legitimate pharmacists that can help you reduce the cost of your prescription drug expenses. If you don’t want to drive to the pharmacy to get meds, this option might be the one you are looking for. Plus, online pharmacies tend to offer discounts on various products to make their company more appealing to patients.
It is essential to ensure that the online pharmacy you choose is legit. To do this, you can check the Food and Drug Administration’s online database. Furthermore, the FDA recommends that you search for an online pharmacy that will require you to present a valid prescription from your doctor, with contact information, a physical address in the US, and a licensed pharmacist that can assist your needs.
Consider Patient Assistance Programs
Knowing that there are patient assistance programs can help you save money on your prescriptions is vital. These programs can provide low-cost to no-cost medications for people who can’t afford them. Moreover, many pharmacies have patient assistance programs presented on their websites. Thus, it would be easy for you to look for them.
What You Should Not Do
Yes, prescription drug prices tend to be expensive. However, it is critical not to play around with your medication frequency and dosage just so you can save money on them. Remember, your doctor is an expert and cares about you. Thus, it is vital to follow what he advised you to do.
In a Nutshell
The cost of your medications can add up fast. However, it is vital to remember that what you see in your prescription is not the final amount you will be paying for the sake of your health. Moreover, the prices can still be reduced by using the effective strategies we have provided.