Four ways to save on prescription drugs
Navigating the
annual health plan changes, figuring out insurance copays, and finding the
pharmacy with the best buys can be daunting. Dealing with Medicare's medication
coverage gap, the so-called donut hole, adds to the challenge. Four basic strategies can help save money on
medications, according to the November 2014 Harvard
Women's Health Watch.
Go for generics. "Generics are just as good as brand-name drugs," says Dr.
Jerry Avorn, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and they are less
expensive than brand-name drugs. Can't find a generic version of a particular
drug? A prescription for a generic in the same class of drugs may do nicely.
For example, there isn't a generic version of Crestor, a cholesterol-lowering
statin. But there are five other generic statins that might work just fine.
Periodically re-evaluate drugs. Every year or so, dump all pill bottles in a paper
bag—including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Ask a trusted
doctor or pharmacist to review them. Some of the drugs may duplicate the
actions of others, have harmful interactions with one another, or aren't needed
any more.
Forget about vitamins, minerals, and supplements. These are almost always a waste of money, and can sometimes
jeopardize health.
Compare drug prices. Different pharmacies pay different prices to manufacturers
and wholesalers. They also use different systems to mark up drugs. That can
lead to big differences from one pharmacy to another. Several websi...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
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