In the last couple of years and evident rise of the cost of prescription medication has been observed in North America. While there has been a rise in the cost of mostly everything, medication is a delicate subject, as you cannot cut expenses on medication. With the actual recession period, it can be quite hard to squeeze in the dollars to pay for essential prescriptions. Is there any alternative to expensive medication? What can be done to ensure you always have the budget to buy your life-saving medication?
There are not that many solutions for patients unable to pay for their medication. There is an association called Partnership for Prescription Assurance that can help patients. The association will help qualifying patients who lack coverage to buy their needed medication through private or public program. Most of the qualifying patients might be lucky enough to get the medication free or nearly free. One thing that is important to remember is that you cannot skip a dose of medication to save the rest for later because:
- You will not get the full benefits of the medication you are taking if it is not taken properly;
- Your physician might think that the medication is not working and simply prescribe you something else without seeking further information.
There are other tactics that may help you save on your medication costs, such as seeing a dental assistant vs seeing a dentist. You need to remember that nothing can be done against the rise of medication. For example, make sure you are fully aware of what is the coverage of your insurance policy. Opting for a mail-in program (where you have to mail your receipt for prescription drugs to the insurance company) might help you save a considerate amount on medication. Shop around for your prescriptions. The cost of certain medication might differ from one pharmacy to another, just like the cost of food differs in every grocery store. You might not think you can save a lot by spending a couple of dollars less on your prescription, but those dollars can add up in the long run. Check on the web for a reputable online pharmacy. Look in papers and magazines if there are any incentives for transferred or new prescription. Some drugstores may offer small prizes like a 25$ gift card for new patients or transferred prescription. Always remember to ask your doctor if there are free samples of that medication that he or she might have received from pharmaceutical companies. It is obviously not a long term solution, but that can save a couple of dollars here and there.