10 ways to save on your medication costs

Photo by Dave Ward

When you’re younger, your financial costs related to your health tends to be relatively low; your health expenditures typically relate to exercise, diet, and an occasional visit to the Doctor But as you get older, your medical costs start adding up. (And sometimes quite dramatically)

Several years ago, I was fighting a health condition that was costing me upwards of around $75 a month for my prescriptions. To this day, thankfully I have found cure through my own research and detective work. Luckily, my lifestyle change appears to have defeated my physical symptoms. (could it have been the products I had researched?) At that time, I definitely could have used some advice on how to manage my prescription costs. For those of you who continue to live with the need for maintenance medication, I have some suggestions to control your spending.

Here’s the countdown to lowering your prescription costs.

10. Ask your doctor for any options. Generic medications are just as effective as brand name alternatives. The next time you visit your Doctor, bring one of those generic lists from your pharmacy to go over with him to pinpoint generic equivalents.

9. Order prescription drugs by mail. Mail order prescriptions can be much cheaper than those bought at a pharmacy. Most health care plans offer 3 months for the price of 2.

8. Stay well with diet and exercise. The old saying that ” an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still rings true today. I save about 35.00 a month in health-club membership dues on an $800.00 treadmill that I’ve had for several years now. I exercise in the luxury of my own home and save on bottled water and all the little extras associated with a health-club membership. (Fuel and travel time) and it works out well for me. Some people need others around them for motivation, but I happen to be one of the lucky ones that does not.

7. Buy generic or over the counter whenever possible. I can knock out a fever every time by taking 3 grams of Vitamin C every hour. In high blood levels it works just as well if not better (no side effects) than antibiotics but the secret is to get to the laxative effect then backing off 500 mg. at a time until the laxative effect stops. At that point you have the maximum blood level for your body weight and height.

6. Buy in bulk Shopping clubs offer specific medications if purchased in bulk. See if your local store has any offers available

5. Should you split your medications? Some groups recommend splitting pills or taking medications less regularly. But this would involve changing the recommended dosage.

Check with your medical doctor before attempting this approach; make certain that you aren’t tampering with your medication’s strength or that you aren’t making it less efficient.

4. Buy the same medication overseas. Many countries have the same drug products at considerably less cost. I regularly order from India, Canada, and Pakistan, and have never had a problem. I would avoid countries like China at all costs. I have heard stories of ordinary chalk being peddled as Viagra.

3. Use your health savings account at work. Check with your Human Resources department about how to maximize the health benefits you have.(Utilize your pre-tax dollars)

2. Comparison shop and stay alert for discounts.

1. Use the Web! I stumble onto new sites all of the time and do a little review research before I order from them. There are many forums out there dedicated to protecting the consumer when buying your medications from abroad. And don’t let the scare tactics by the big pharmaceuticals scare you. The same whoremongers that warn you about buying your medications overseas are selling the overseas pharmacies the very same medications they are selling you.

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