FAMILY MEDICINE® COLUMN
By John C. Wolf, D.O.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine®
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

CAREFUL SHOPPING MAY HELP REDUCE READER'S "PILL BILL"

Question: I don't have insurance to help pay for my medicines. I am currently spending about $400 each month on them. Are there any ways for me to save money on my pills?

Answer: For many people, prescription medication accounts for one of their largest monthly expenses. Even if you have health insurance that pays part of the cost of your prescriptions, you can still face large bills. And many people, just like you, have to pay the entire cost of their medicines themselves.

While there's no way to completely avoid the high costs of medicines, there are some ways to reduce them. The simplest is to shop around the pharmacies in your area. Some stores buy drugs in volume and pass along the savings to you. Just by calling around for prices, you may be able to save 25 percent or more.

Another option is to use a mail-order pharmacy. As the name implies, these businesses mail your medication to you after you mail or fax the doctor's prescription to them. Prices may be lower than you can find at local drug stores, but when you're comparing prices, don't forget to figure in additional charges like shipping and handling. Also, don't forget that it often takes two or three weeks to get your medication in the mail. The nation's largest mail-order pharmacy -- and it's a very reputable one -- is run by the American Association of Retired Persons. Also, a number of mail-order pharmacies are now "on the web." I'd recommend that if you decide to use an internet pharmacy, that you pick one that's been certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. You can obtain a list of these at www.nabp.net. There are currently only a few certified online pharmacies, although there are more than 200 that do business using this new electronic method of communication.

If you have no insurance coverage and no ability to pay for a needed prescription drug, you may qualify for assistance from the pharmaceutical company that makes the product. About 45 drug companies have such assistance programs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you find out if you qualify for one of them.

Further, don't be afraid to talk with your doctor about prescription prices, and to ask if there is a less expensive alternative. He or she may know of another drug that treats the same condition but costs less. One of the most common ways to save money is by using generic drugs. Many name-brand drugs are more than twice as expensive as their equally effective generic counterparts. Using generics can save you a bundle! And, in some cases, there may be a reasonably priced non-prescription product that is virtually the same as the prescription drug your doctor has recommended. For example, both generic ibuprofen, available over-the-counter, and prescription Motrin contain the same active ingredient.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to John C. Wolf, D.O., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Grosvenor Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701. Past columns are available online at http://www.FamilyMedicineNews.org.