How to Save Money On Prescription Drugs (Without Insurance)

The soaring cost of prescription drugs often makes it difficult for consumers without insurance to buy life-saving medicines. The inability to access these much needed medications is a serious public health issue. Today's consumers need to be diligent and become smart shoppers in order to save money on prescription drugs. Fortunately, options are available for families who do not have prescription insurance to cover the cost of their medications.

Ask for Generic

• Most prescription drugs are available as generics. In most cases, generic drugs can save consumers up to 80 percent off the brand-name price.
  Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as the brand name drug and are available in the same dosage strengths. However, they visibly look different and have different inactive ingredients.
  Before asking your pharmacist for the generic version, it is important to discuss a generic alternative with your doctor. Talk to your doctor to find out if you could be allergic to any of the inactive ingredients used in the drug. Your doctor must approve a generic brand before the pharmacy can dispense it.
  Sometimes doctors are not aware that a specific medication is available in generic form. Some drugs might have just recently been approved for generics. Ask your pharmacist if your drug is available as a generic. If it is, ask the pharmacy to request permission from your doctor to fill the prescription using the generic alternative.
  When prescribed a generic drug it is important to check your medication labels and confirm the name and dose of your prescription. Generic forms all have the same brand no matter the manufacturer. If your original prescription was written for the brand name and the doctor allowed a generic substitution, the bottle label should indicate this.

Ask for a Different Drug in the Same Class

• If your doctor prescribes a prescription drug that is not available in generic then ask your doctor about generics within the same class of drugs. For example, a class of drugs called statins are used to treat high cholesterol. Some statins are available as generics, while others are not. If you are prescribed a brand-name statin, ask if one of the generic statins would work for you.

Ask for Prescription Samples

• Often times your doctor might have samples of the prescribed medication. Ask your doctor for free samples. If you doctor does not have samples, ask him whether he could call the drug representative and send samples to you.

Check into Low-Cost Prescription Programs

• Providers such as Walmart, Target and Kroger all have a $4 dollar program for generic drugs. Costco, Kmart, Drugstore.com and Walgreens operate a similar program for consumers. Talk to your pharmacy to find out what type of discounts or programs they offer.

Shop Around

• Once you have your prescription do a price comparison with pharmacies in your area. Consumers have been able to save 10 percent to 30 percent by filling their prescription at a different pharmacy.

Use a Discount Drug Card

• A discount drug card is not insurance. It is a card provided by a pharmaceutical company or other entity which allows the consumer to receive a discount on their drugs. Several companies offer a free or low–cost discount drug cards which can be used at participating pharmacies. Almost anyone can use a discount drug card. The free cards typically offer a small discount on prescription drugs. Cards that require you to pay for the use of the card (such as an annual or monthly fee) offer a larger discount on prescription drugs. Some cards are offered by drug manufacturers to consumers who do not have prescription plans. The Together RX Access Card offers steep discounts on hundreds of brand-name and generic drugs. To apply for the Together RX Access card visit their website at www.togetherrxaccess.com.

Look Into Patient Assistance Programs

• Patient Assistance Programs are available from almost all major pharmaceutical companies. These programs allow patients to receive low-cost or free prescription drugs for qualifying patients.
  To find a Patient Assistance Program, go to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance website at www.pparx.org. Each company has their own eligibility criteria for their Patient Assistance Program. If you are not approved through one partnership, try a different one.