6 Ways to Save Money on Prescription Drugs

The cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. has long caused frustration and, worse, presented financial barriers for some consumers. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the average American pays $1,200 per year for medications, more than in any other country in the world. A recent poll from Kaiser Family Foundation found that 29% of American adults are not taking medications as directed, either skipping or splitting doses, opting for over-the-counter medication instead or not filling their prescriptions at all, in order to cut costs. Currently, the U.S. government doesn’t regulate drug costs, and while that continues to be a contentiously debated issue for lawmakers, insurers and the pharmaceutical industry, it’s unclear what, if anything, all that arguing will change. However, even with the current systems in place, there are still several strategies consumers can use to decrease their spending. Here are six such ways to combat sticker shock at the pharmacy counter. Ask why Find out why your medication is so expensive. “For us, it’s really important to get to the main root cause because you’ll ultimately find the best solution,” says Erin Bradshaw, the chief of mission delivery at Patient Advocate Foundation, a nonprofit that provides patients with case-management services and financial support. Bradshaw explains that while your provider may not have the answers, pharmacists are often extremely knowledg...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized medicine Source Type: news