Cost Saving Tips for Everyone
(No matter how you pay for your medication.)

1. Shop around. The price of a drug can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Local pharmacies are listed in the yellow pages. Also, you can compare the price of many of the most common prescription drugs carried in your local pharmacies by using the price comparison feature of the NYS Attorney General Web site www.nyagrx.com

You can also ask your pharmacy to print out its drug retail price list; this list of 150 most commonly prescribed drugs must be provided upon request under NYS law.

2. Save money by asking about generic alternatives. The difference in price could be significant. Many brand name medications have less expensive generic formulations in the same dosage, strength, quality, performance, and intended use. A few types of medication should not be interchanged with generics because of slight difference in absorption rates. Talk to your doctor. Also visit the FDA Web site www.fda.gov for more information.

3. Ask about a less expensive brand of medication. Sometimes an older brand of drug may be just as effective as a newer version.

4. Ask about an over the counter (OTC) alternative. Many over the counter products are as effective as some of their brand name counterparts and considerably less expensive. For example, antihistamines, pain relievers and antacids can often be purchased over the counter for less than your prescription co-pay.

5. Can your pills be split? If your medicine comes in a double dosage, you can sometimes cut costs by asking your doctor to prescribe a drug at double dose so you can divide the tablets at home with a pill splitter. For instance, both the 10-milligram (mg) and 20-mg pills of lisinopril (Prinivil) for high blood pressure cost about $27 for a 30-day supply. If you need only 10-mg, you can buy the 20-mg version and cut the pills in half, reducing your cost to $14 per month.
Note: This is not suggesting that you take your prescribed strength pill and cut it in half. Some tablets come scored to make splitting easier.

6. If you are on a maintenance medication, buy a larger supply. Sometimes buying a 3-month supply rather than a 1-month supply at a time is cheaper.

7. If you're trying a new prescription, ask your doctor for samples or buy a smaller supply.

8. Learn about your health benefit plan. What are the features of your coverage?
· Do you have prescription drug coverage?
· What are your co-pays or deductibles? Do they vary by drug?
· Does your plan require a formulary?
· Does your plan have a mail-order program option which allows you to save money?
· If you don't have prescription drug coverage, does your health plan have arrangements with select pharmacies to provide discounts to its members?

9. GVHP-Rx  GVHP-Rx is a prescription discount card that can help save an average of 20% off the price of prescription medicine (branded and generic) at participating drug stores in Livingston County and their branches nationwide. The card is available to Livingston County residents.
CLICK HERE for more information.

10. Consider a prescription drug discount card. Many pharmacy benefit management companies offer a prescription drug discount card that can save you some money off the retail price at participating drug stores. Some may also provide access to mail order programs. If you are already covered for prescription drugs through an insurance plan or you are a member of EPIC, a discount card will most likely not be a better option. Not all cards are the same. Some carry membership fees and require you to submit an enrollment application. You should make sure the pharmacy you use accepts the discount card.
CLICK HERE for more information.

11. Consider life style changes that may help you reduce dependence on certain medicine. These may include changes in diet, more exercise or other self-care methods. Check with your doctor for suggestions that may be helpful to you.

12. Buy your drugs through mail-order or online pharmacies. Sometimes filling your prescriptions through an online or mail-order pharmacy can save money. However, you should be cautious as some internet sites may not have appropriate oversight and expose you to outdated or substandard products.
· Look for websites bearing the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) seal. www.nabp.net/vipps These sites are licensed and have regulatory state and federal oversight.
· Only order your drugs from sites that require a doctor's prescription.
· Make sure there is a licensed pharmacist who can answer your questions.
· Make sure to ask about shipping charges and check to see if they take your insurance.
· Visit the Federal Drug Administration Web site www.fda.gov for more information

13. Buying Drugs from Canada The Health Planning Council Advisory Board has reviewed the role other governmental agencies have taken with regard to providing information to consumers about purchasing prescription drugs from Canadian Pharmacies. The report is available here.