4 strategies to maximize your savings on prescription drugs:
1. Only get drugs that you'll probably need up front. This often works for short term prescriptions, usually 1-2 weeks. For example, if you're congested, it's probably viral or allergic, and it's probably going to be gone in about 5 days. You probably don't need an expensive top-of-the-line decongestant for 10 or 14 days. Get a decongestant prescribed for 5 days (one-half to one-third of the cost) with 1 or 2 refills---if the congestion ISN”T gone by then, go ahead and get a refill and so on. Also, you don't need the doctor's permission to get the refills re-filled. It's already approved. That way you decrease your up front cost by 50% and you have a refill capability (usually for up to one year) should the congestion come back in a week or a month or two. Exception: this doesn't work for antibiotics---you need to take them as prescribed. Discontinuing antibiotics early (before the end of the prescribed regimen) often kills off the weak germs and selects out the really nasty ones which continue to multiply, thereby making you really, really sick.
2.
Go generic drugs -- usually ' nuff said. Obviously generic drugs usually are much less expensive than brand name drugs. Also, it is rare that a brand name drug provides benefits not obtained by generic drugs. On the other hand, it is also rare that generic drugs will cause reactions not also caused by brand name drugs. If your doctor insists on a brand name, it's usually for a reason which they can tell you immediately if asked. Otherwise at least try the generic drug first, and then, if it doesn't work, get back with your original doctor before you try to change to the brand name drug. Your doctor will mostly likely change to another class of drug entirely rather than trying the brand name drug, probably saving you more than enough to pay for the office visit with your doctor. If there is not a generic drug alternative to the brand name drug that the doctor recommends, ask if there is not another drug in the same class of drugs to treat your condition which does in fact have a generic alternative. Almost all doctors will respect your concern for cost and will try to work with you. Unfortunately, sometimes there really aren't any alternatives and the only drugs appropriate for your condition are the brand name drugs for which generic alternatives are not yet available. This condition is pretty unusual but, in that case, try to see if any of the other three strategies listed here don't still apply.
3. Buy your prescription drugs in bulk. If you're going to be using a drug for an extended period, and the shelf life of the drug is more than 3-6 months, then it makes sense to buy a 3-6 month supply of the drug at one time in order to obtain an additional discount for buying in volume, not to mention shipping and handling costs.
Usually your doctor will tell you when your medical condition or problem has been stabilized. Until then, drugs or drug dosages may change. Human bodies are not machines and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. The same dose of the same drug that works for one person may not work for another. Multiple adjustments are often required, so before you make a huge investment in a particular drug, you might want to double check with your doctor to make sure you're going to be taking that drug for a while. If your doctor confirms it, then go for it, but only at 3-6 month intervals because even then your health may change in that amount of time.
4. Use discount pharmacies. If you're reading this page you've probably already figured this one out. Big chain pharmacies have to charge for advertising, overhead, and availability of a local pharmacist to talk you through your prescription. A lot of mom & pop pharmacies in local towns and, obviously on-line pharmacies, can offer you the exact same drugs at a significantly reduced price. While the personal contact with a pharmacist shouldn't be discounted, after you've heard the same spiel on your tenth anti-hypertensive medicine refill, you will likely be able to recite it back to the pharmacist verbatim. Need we mention the on-line sources of drug information available to you, should you desire, and at your convenience, with a few key strokes? If, on the other hand, you have a need to stand in line to have a pharmacist tell you what you've already been told before, then, by all means, go for it. The savings can be huge, you decide.
You can find huge savings from BM pharmacy if you are looking for generic drugs.
