the best single step you can take is to use a generic substitution for brand-name medicines whenever possible. generics are safe and reliable versions of medicines that are far cheaper than name-brand products. not only are generics less expensive they’re also older medicines with longer track records of safety. if a pharmacist tells you that a prescribed medication has no generic version there may be a medicine that’s similar enough to do the job in generic form. even if there isn’t a generic of any similar medication a different one might be in a lower-tier for your copay. ask the pharmacist to contact your doctor before switching any medicine. samples can save you money in the short run but may cost you later. for long term medicines you may be able to order a larger quantity through a mail-order service. ask your insurance company if you have a mail-order pharmacy benefit. sometimes a larger quantity can be prescribed for the same copay. this won’t work for pills taken every day — the pharmacist won’t give you more than a one month supply — but for prescription skin creams or medicines taken “as needed” your doctor could prescribe a larger amount at once. many drug manufacturers offer “patient assistance programs” to help low-income families afford medications. an excellent non-profit website with clear instructions for finding and using these programs is www. needymeds. org. needymeds also features a free drug discount card for your whole family to use.
how can i save money on prescription medications?