Secret ways to save at the pharmacy

If your trips to the pharmacy are burning a hole in your pocket, you may want to check to see if there’s a cheaper option. But among all of the advertised discounts out there (especially those on the good ol’ World Wide Web), how do you know if the ones you’re using are valid? HellaWella has some insights on how you can save on your next prescription.

• Ask the manufacturer: Drug makers, including AstraZeneca, Merck, Warner Chilcott and many others offer patient assistance programs, whereby patients may be able to save a chunk of change on their prescription drugs.
• Go generic: While many people prefer brand-name pharmaceuticals (which we totally understand), take this fact into consideration: An analysis conducted by IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics and IMS Health found that generic drugs helped save U.S. consumers and the healthcare system more than $931 billion over the last 10 years. What’s more, some health insurance companies may be willing to help you save by picking up 100% of the cost*. (*In a perfect world, this would be the case for all meds. Sigh.)
• Ask your pharmacist: Next time you’re at the pharmacy counter, speak up! Pharmacists are well versed in what medications are supposed to do, as well as their possible side effects, and they also can have insight on ways you can save. What’s more, some stores offer a special discount program as well.
• Check the store shelves: Did you know that many popular medications like allergy medication Allegra now is available in an over-the-counter formulation? They cost a heck of a lot less than their Rx counterpart and can be bought in higher quantity.

Tell us: How do you save on your prescriptions? Sound off below!

Tags: drug, medications, pharmacist, prescriptions, Vitals

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