1. You may qualify for a free drug program.
There are more than 1,100 medicines that are made for 100
manufacturers who have free drug programs. most important drug
companies provide free drugs, but rarely if ever
publicize their programs. It is estimated that two billion dollars
of free medicines is given away annually.
Larry’s father has prostate cancer and takes Casodex
every day, which is $300 a month in the US and $180 from
Mexico. She sent his father’s information to see if he
qualified. He recently found out that his father did qualify for
get the medicine for free. Larry just saw a little
article buried inside the newspaper. He never knew these
programs existed.
A complete list of drugs and manufacturer programs is available
available. For more information visit: http://www.institutedc.org
2. Get a free pharmacy discount card.
AdvanceRx offers a free discount card to anyone who saves
13%-25% and covers all drugs dispensed at a pharmacy. For
For details, call 1-800-ADVANCE (238-2623) or http://www.advancerx.com.
· There are five free discount cards for the Third Age.
Discount cards cover more than 200 popular medications.
3. Save up to 93% by ordering a generic
· Use generics whenever they are available. both brand
and generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, they are
the same in strength and dosage, complies with the same government
quality control standards.
· According to Mark Erblat, pharmacy manager and owner of
Rx For You, cost savings on brand vs. generic will vary
from drug to drug and from pharmacy to pharmacy, but it can be
important. For example:
Prozac brand 20mg, 100 tablets are $280.19 and generic
sells for $29.99 (89% Savings)
Vasotec brand 5mg, 100 tablets is $103.59 and generic
sells for $18.19 (Savings 82%)
Zantac brand 150mg 100 tablets is $173.39 and generic
sells for $10.99 (Savings 93%)
The Zestril brand of 10 mg and 100 tablets is $96.29 and the generic
sells for $39.99 (Savings 58%)
4. Veterans now qualify for more benefits.
Recent laws have changed that grant medical services to veterans.
benefits for certain diseases such as diabetes and
hypertension, provided the veteran is subject to requirements
conditions such as exposure to Agent Orange.
See if you qualify for benefits by checking with the
Veterans Administration.
5. Cut your costs in half… by using a pill cutter.
· Most pharmacies should stock pill cutters. Sometimes,
medications can be split in half and save you 50%. Tea
reason is because the price of various pharmaceutical manufacturers
some of their medicines are the same for all potencies.
Lipitor is essentially the same price for all concentrations.
You can save up to $100 on a one-month supply.
of Lipitor by simply getting the most strength and cutting
to the half. Ask your pharmacist.
This method may not be appropriate for all drugs and
could be dangerous if used with the wrong medication.
Start by asking your doctor or pharmacist if your
the drug is available in a double dose of the normal dose
(eg, if you normally take a 20mg pill, that’s a 40mg pill.
available?). If so, ask if there would be any
problems dividing tablets or capsules.
Now, do a cost comparison between the two doses. If he
higher dose is less than twice the cost of your regular
dose then you will be saving money by having your doctor
prescribe the highest dose and then divide it. The cost savings is
typically 32% to 50%.
. Viagra is another drug that lends itself to be
split in half or quarters to save 50% to 75% depending on
the required dose. The average Viagra user who uses two
doses per week can save over $400.00 per year.
This method is not appropriate for all drugs. Check
with your pharmacist. Some easy-to-split medications include:
Ambien, Aricept, Buspar, Effexor, Lipitor, Luvox, Paxil,
Remeron, Risperidal, Seroquel, Serzone, Viagra, Zoloft,
Zyprexa. (Ask your pharmacist for others)
6. Save buying at 90 vs. 30 day supply.
Most pharmacies have greater savings on longer days
supply. Also, when it comes to people who have
prescription drug coverage, other savings may be available
obtaining a larger daily supply.
For example, if you have a $10 copay, the insurance
the company will allow you to get only a 30-day supply in general
for that $10. A 90-day supply purchased without insurance may
it only costs you $18.
This would be much cheaper than paying $10 per month ($30
for 90 days). It would also save you two trips to the
pharmacy.
7. Ask for an older drug that is just as effective.
Many pharmacists agree that antibiotics are probably the
most over or incorrectly prescribed drugs.
Often the doctor will prescribe a newer antibiotic than
it has been promoted as more effective. What this really means
is that it is considerably more expensive.
Newer antibiotics are often no more effective than older ones.
older antibiotics. However, they are new and covered by
patent protection Therefore, the newer drug is more
effective to ensure a good profit for the drug
manufacturer for many years.
Since many generics are made in the same factory as the
brand name ones, be sure to ask your doctor for one
generic antibiotic. A great broad spectrum generic
The antibiotic costs 80% less than a new antibiotic. In dollars,
it costs you $20 instead of $100.
8. Over-the-counter medications can be just as effective as over-the-counter
Prescription drug.
Many doctors still prescribe Pepcid 20 mg to their
patients A one month supply of Pepcid 20mg cost
approximately $60. Pepcid AC, over-the-counter in 10 mg
strength, taking double the dose costs approximately $23.
Most prescription cold medicines average $20 to $60 per
a one month supply and contain the same decongestant that is
available without a prescription for less than $2.
9. Get only a 7-day supply of new drugs.
If the doctor does not have samples, ask your pharmacist.
to give you just a one week supply to try. is federal
Law that does not allow the return of medicines once delivered.
dispensed. If you get a month’s supply and cannot tolerate
medicine, you just lost that money.
10. Stop using drugs you no longer need.
Review all of your prescriptions with your doctor at each
to visit. You may be paying for some drugs you no longer need.
Doctor run http://www.rxaminer.com provides a personalized analysis of
your medications to save you money. You can get a free, no
obligation, Cost Screening to find out how much you can
save.
Also ask your pharmacist to review your medications in
as well as your doctor. Here’s why. from a pharmacist
Valuable services and knowledge are free. He can also find
something your doctor missed.
A lady developed a persistent cough after being
taking a blood pressure medicine for about 3
months. His doctor treated his cough with antibiotics and
cough syrup for 6 months. He asked her pharmacist about her.
cough that lasts so long. The pharmacist found that a possible
side effect of his new blood pressure medication was a
persistent cough. His doctor argued but changed his medication.
and his coughing stopped. The lady had spent more than $750 on
medical fees and medicines only to treat cough.
A mother was giving her daughter antibiotics to treat a
kidney infection. Her daughter constantly had a fever.
This continued for several months. the baby’s pediatrician
prescribed several antibiotics without success. After
searching the literature, the pharmacist discovered that the
antibiotic had a side effect of persistent low fever.
In the end, the mother had spent more than $500 on doctor visits.
and the cost of the prescription.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions of your pharmacist, your
advice is free and can often save you money and hassle.
Ask questions about side effects and drug interactions.
11. Order your prescription drugs by phone.
You can save between 20% and 50% when you order prescription drugs through
the phone. Bonus, you don’t have to pick them up at the
pharmacy.
Make a list of your medications, including strength and
number taken daily. Then list at least six pharmacies that
they’re going to call Don’t forget about the mail order discount
sources as well, several are listed at the end of this brochure.
Then call and get prices, ask if this is your best price
available. Compare the costs.
12. Pay attention to quantity.
Find out how much medicine you really need and make
make sure your doctor does not prescribe more medication than is
needed to treat your condition.
13. Ask your doctor for samples at each visit. they usually
I have enough.
14. Take only the medicines you really need.
When your doctor prescribes medication, understand
exactly what it is meant to do and for how long. If you
two medications are prescribed for the same symptom, ask if
i really need both.
15. Buy home test kits.
Kits to determine ovulation, pregnancy and colorectal
cancer, they can be purchased as home tests instead of paying
twice as much for similar kits at your doctor’s office.
16. Cross the Border.
If you live near Canada or Mexico, you can buy
some drugs in either country 75% off in the US.
price.
17. AARP members are eligible for many discounts, including
Discounts at mail order pharmacies.
Ask about an AARP discount.
If you have questions about these tips or your medication
ask your doctor and pharmacist.
********************************
*Senior Discount Card Programs*
********************************
(G) The Orange GlaxoSmithKline Card (888) 672-6436
· Covers all GSK medicines. Must have an annual income below
$30,000 for an individual or $40,000 for a couple
30% average at participating pharmacies
(L) Eli Lilly’s LillyAnswers Card (877) 795-4559
· Covers all Lilly medications except controlled substances.
Must have an annual income of less than $18,000 per individual or
$24,000 per couple.
$12 copay per prescription for a 30-day supply.
(N) Call Novartis CareCard (866) 974-2273
Covers select Novartis drugs. Level 1 must have an annual
income below $18,000 for an individual or $24,000 for a couple.
$12 copay per prescription for a 30-day supply.
Tier 2 must have an annual income of less than $26,000 per
individual or $35,000 per couple. Receive 25% or more
discount.
(P) Pfizer Share Card call (800) 717-6005
· Covers all Pfizer medications. Must have an annual income
less than $18,000 for an individual or $24,000 for a couple.
$15 copay per prescription for a 30-day supply.
(T)Together Rx Card (800) 865-7211
· More than 150 medicines selected from a group of manufacturers. Must
have an annual income of less than $28,000 per individual or
$38,000 per couple. (Major in AK and HI).
Savings of approximately 20-40% of the amount you normally
pay for prescriptions and, in many cases, substantially
plus.
FINAL
