Thursday, 29. July 2010
Prescription medications are an increasingly costly part of everyone’s budget, and in tight economic times, finding ways of reducing prescription drug costs is very attractive.
Sometimes a terrible choice has to be made, one medication over another, prescriptions or food… insanely expensive but still helpful medications that aren’t covered by insurance and may be out of reach.
Here the online health resource WebMD has come up with ten money saving ways to keep those prescription drug costs under control.
1) Consider Generics – Nothing says you must take the name brand medication; often generic drugs are just as effective options. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that heart disease patients often do just as well on the generic form of a medication as they do on the brand name variety.
2) Halving Higher Dose Pills – It’s an extra step on your part, you need to carefully break each tablet, but it can save you money in the long run, especially on medications you must take often. The thing is, both high and low doses of most medications cost the same – so you’re getting the benefit of a quantity pricing. Talk to your doctor about this first to ensure it’s a suitable option for you.
3) Higher Doses Taken Less Often – In some cases, a change in dosing schedule can save you money without impacting treatment. Rather than taking small doses twice a day, ask your doctor about a higher dose taken once daily.
4) Switching From Combo Medications – Separate pills can sometimes be less costly than the combination medications, so talk to your doctor if you’re having trouble paying for the medication. You may be surprised by the options open to you.
5) Shopping For The Best Prices – The cost of prescription drugs can vary from store to store, and are sometimes cheaper if you order by mail or online. Don’t be shy about asking for prices; just as you would any other item you buy. All chain drug stores are selling the same medications – it’s up to you how much you’ll pay in profits to the drug store.
6) Investigating Drug Company Assistance Programs – If you meet certain financial criteria, you may qualify for assistance from a drug manufacturer. There will probably be paperwork and phone calls, but the savings can make the effort well worth it.
7) Looking At Medicare Part D – if you’re 65 or older, or have Medicare as the result of a disability, you can change plans every year from November 15th to December 31st. Don’t do this without some investigation… talk with your pharmacist and take a look at your current plan to see if it’s still meeting your needs, if not, plan for a change. 
Storing Medications Correctly – Heat, moisture and darkness can affect the potency of a medication, which means don’t store your medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet. After spending so much to get a particular drug, you won’t want to find it impossible to take because of damage due to how it may have been stored.
9) Don’t Save Medications – Once your condition improves the temptation is to stop taking it and keep the rest around for the future – don’t! This can be dangerous, and end up hurting your health (far more costly than the few dollars) in the long run. Finish your prescribed medication (especially those antibiotics) and go back to the doctor if you feel ill again.
10) Beware Expensive Drug Promotions – Especially those one-time deals. Remember, the incredible deal you get as part of a promotion won’t be there when it’s time to refill the prescription. In the long run, you’ll pay more for the same drug.
It’s important to keep in mind that your doctor and pharmacist are here to help you find a prescription drug that you can afford and that will help your symptoms best. Work with them. Confide financial struggles and see what can be done for reducing prescription drug costs – after all, if you don’t ask, no one can help and things won’t get easier.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Monday, 19. July 2010
In today’s economy, would you like to reduce your prescription drug costs, even without insurance? You don’t like the thought of possibly having to choose which medicines to buy and not to buy, or choosing between eating and buying your medicine.
You can save a lot of money on prescriptions by buying generics. They are not always available. Generics are often just as effective as the brand name equivalent medications are. The Journal of the American Medical Association recently published findings that showed that the generic form of a heart medication is just as effective for those with heart disease as the more expensive brand name medications.
You can often save a lot of money on your prescription drug costs by simply shopping from store to store. You might save even more by buying your prescriptions online or by phone. It is a simple fact that all chain drugstores sell the same products. The difference in price is caused by how much profit they seek to make.
You might save money by checking out drug company assistance programs. Drug companies may help you, if you meet certain financial conditions. You will have to complete a lot of paperwork. You will end up making a lot of phone calls. In the end, however, your savings will make the work worth the effort.
Changing your Medicare plan can save you money. If you’re on Medicare Part D because you are 65 or older or on disability, or are on Medicare because of a disability, you have the right to change your plan each year from November 15 to December 31. Before you consider changing your plan, talk to your pharmacist to see if such action would be a good idea for you. If your plan does not meet your need, a change might help you save money.
You can save money on prescriptions by avoiding the expensive one time deals offered as a drug promotion. The incredible deal you will receive now will not help you when you want to refill your order. You will actually end up paying more for the same drug.
Your pharmacist and your doctor are there to help. They can help find a medication that will help you at the lowest cost. Tell them about your financial situation. If you don’t ask for their help; they won’t help, and you will pay more money.
Sometimes combination medications are more expensive. Talk to your doctor, and he may be able to give you prescriptions for separate pills. You might be surprised how much money you will be able to save.
You might be able to save money on prescriptions if you ask your doctor if you can take a higher dose of a medicine once a day, rather than a lower dose, twice a day. Who knows? You might save money, without your treatment being impacted.
You might be able to save money on prescriptions if you get a prescription for a higher dose of your medication and then cut your pill into. Ask your doctor if this would work in your case. This might be especially beneficial as far as savings on the medicines you take the most.
Who knows how much money you could save on your prescriptions, with just a few simple steps?
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Saturday, 29. May 2010
You or a loved one suffers from the ’silent killer’ of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension. Unfortunately, you are dealing with a very deadly disease that kills almost 60,000 Americans every year. Fortunately, you know that you (or a loved one) have High Blood Pressure and you are doing something about it! Information is one of the most important tools you have for not allowing High Blood Pressure to take your life!
Before you begin treating your high blood pressure with hypertension medication, it is important you know what you might be getting from the medication. And like some things, high blood pressure prescription drugs have their good and their bad! What Prescription Drug Companies Don’t Want You To Know…
1. Diuretics: Though diuretics relieve your body of water and sodium (decreasing blood pressure), did you know diuretics will literally drain your body of precious nutrients that keep the body healthy. ISN’T THERE A BETTER OPTION?
2. Beta Blockers: Beta Blockers create a slowing of the heart thus relieving pressure. However, common side-effects include: fatigue, cold hands/feet (poor circulation), dizziness, dryness of mouth/eyes/skin and asthma like symptoms. NO THANK YOU!
3. ACE Inhibitors: ACE Inhibitors inhibit the formation of angiotensin II which relaxes the arteries thus lower the blood pressure. Unfortunately, common side-effects include loss of taste, skin rash, raspy cough, and sometimes kidney failure. NEXT!
4. Alpha Blockers: Alpha Blockers relax muscles and keep blood pressure down. But get this, Alpha blockers’s common side-effects are headaches (migraines), nausea, fatigue, weight gain, pounding heartbeat, and raise bad cholesterol and in some cases cause of heart failure. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
5. Vasodilators: Vasodilators are usually a last-resort medication and have severe side-effects. Side-effects include: chest pain, rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, fluid retention (edema), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flushing, headache, nasal congestion and excessive hair growth. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WANTS THAT?
6. The Cost: Did you know that millions of people spend hundreds to thousands of dollars alone on these medications? That is why health care is a multi-billion dollar industry! IS THERE SOME CHEAPER?Thousands of People Cure Hypertension Naturally and Permanently
I was shocked to find out that the hypertension prescription medications were worse than the disease of high blood pressure. But is there a better way? Yes! In fact, there is a cheaper, more effective (not a prescription band-aid), more permanent and more natural way to make your blood pressure plummet. Our natural cure for high blood pressure has helped thousands save their lives from the deadly disease of hypertension. What would you give to end the worrying, give you and your family peace of mind, make your blood pressure plummet, and get your life back? Thousands of dollars? Hundreds? How about a fraction of what it would cost for one prescription of HBP medication? Take a minute to see what others have said about our 100% risk-free, money-back guaranteed remedy report. Please don’t wait another day to treat your hypertension problem!http://www.bloodpressurenormalized.com/hbp1/
Joe Barton has spent years researching and educating himself about high blood pressure. After teaming up with his friend Craig, Barton Publishing has been naturally treating and curing thousands of hypertension sufferers. Learn how to naturally treat and cure high blood pressure and lower your score in weeks.
Lower High Blood Pressure Naturally, Without Drugs Website
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Saturday, 15. May 2010
The (0bama) campaign even aired an ad singling out Billy Tauzin, the drug industry’s chief lobbyist. “The pharmaceutical industry wrote into the prescription drug plan that Medicare could not negotiate with drug companies,” Obama said in the ad. “And you know what? The chairman of the committee, who pushed the law through, went to work for the pharmaceutical industry making $2 million a year. Imagine that.”
Now, it turns out, the Obama White House has cut a backroom — actually, Roosevelt Room — deal with Tauzin: Drugmakers would ante up $80 billion in savings in return for a promise that Medicare wouldn’t be allowed to negotiate drug prices.
“We were assured: ‘We need somebody to come in first. If you come in first, you will have a rock-solid deal,’ ” Tauzin told the New York Times.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/11/AR2009081102810.html
Posted in Answers by Prescription Savings -
Tuesday, 20. April 2010
There is a saying that health is wealth. But life is unpredictable, full of twist and turns and if you do not plan ahead it can spell disaster for your personal well-being and your budget. So having a Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is vital to wellness and peace of mind.
Imagine yourself as a Senior citizen and you were driving along in a familiar street, enjoying the summer air floating inside your car; it seems like a perfect day as you passed by beautiful houses and happy looking people. Suddenly a sharp pain was felt in your chest. You become dizzy, your vision becomes blurred, and you can’t even remember if you managed to stop the car.
You woke up inside a hospital. The joyous feeling was replaced by fear. Somewhere along the way, you discovered a part of you is missing. You just had a heart attack! But you thought it would not happen to you. You were after all, can be considered a health conscious elderly. Worst! What ever pain that ails you, it becomes intense as you think about the hospital bills and the drug expenses.
That is why having Medicare prescription drug coverage is as important to any individual because not having any health care coverage at all can be a drain in the Family’s pocket. Since January 2006, voluntary outpatient prescription drug benefit took effect. It is available to millions of elderly and disabled beneficiaries who enroll in private plans approved by Medicare to offer coverage. Medicaid is now being replaced by Medicare as the primary source of doing coverage for disabled and low-income people.
There are two types of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans:
A) Stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDP) for people getting other Medicare benefits like the fee-service program.
B) Medicare advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans, such as HMO’s or PPO’s that cover drugs and other Medicare benefits.
Medicare Prescription Drug covers for the payment for both generic and brand named drugs; it also offers a choice of plans to Medicare Beneficiaries. There are four ways that Medicare Drug plans may require you to pay your share and these are:
1.Premium
2.Deductible
3.Copay
4.Coinsurance
Cost will vary depending on which plan you choose. There are some people that can qualify for extra help paying for their cost. You can also contact the Social Security Administration should you think you are not qualifying for extra help.
Most Medicare drug plans require that you used a pharmacy. It has a list of pharmacies called the “Pharmacy Network” on which you can used to get your prescription filled. While the start of 2006 is a very good year for Seniors without coverage that can now avail of the Medicare approved plan that would cut their yearly drug cost in half, in return for a $35 monthly premium while low-income Seniors will received additional help from a $600 annual subsidy.
But before getting a plan, figure out first what plan is best for you that give overall value. Consider the cost coverage, and convenience. Determine if you went a higher monthly premium, but a lower copay or coinsurance on each prescription or pay a higher copay or coinsurance on each prescription but for a lower premium.
What ever you decide, regardless of your income, illness or status everyone needs a Medicare Prescription Drug plan, it offers savings and it will ease the burden on your family expensive cost of drugs out in the market today. So do plan your health needs. It’s one of your best investments which help you be prepared for unexpected medical expenses.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Saturday, 17. April 2010
Prescription drugs used to treat and cure certain diseases are quite expensive. With the increasing number of people suffering from complicated diseases that require long-term treatment, the need for inexpensive alternatives is being felt by a lot of people. Diseases like cancer, HIV, AIDS, arthritis, diabetes, heart problems and multiple sclerosis require high doses of daily medication. In such cases, medical bills alone can come to thousands of dollars per month. Unfortunately, many families are either underinsured or uninsured. So, they have to take a decision between paying for their medication and paying for their daily needs. At one time, there were abundant stories of people even cutting down on dosages because they simply could not afford the prescribed dosages!
It is possible for customers to purchase prescription drugs at discounted prices by purchasing them from online pharmacies. An online chemist is a service provider who provides the same selection of services and products that you find in your local chemist’s shop, but on the Internet. This allows customers to shop for and buy quality health and beauty products from the comfort of their home or office. Most importantly, online pharmacies are a surefire way to cut huge medical costs because of the attractive discounts offered.
If you are wondering how online pharmacies are able to offer you highly discounted prices, the answer is quite simple. Firstly, online store fronts save a good deal of money on storage space, since they do not need to put up a brick and mortar shop in a centrally located, costly area. These shops generally market directly out of their storage spaces located in the suburbs. Many online pharmacies also interact directly with customers, thus cutting the cost incurred by middlemen and retailers.
However, unlike purchasing other merchandise, one has to be pretty careful while getting prescription drugs online.
As you know, prescription drugs are approved for treatment only after they undergo rigorous testing and clinical studies. Appropriate government agencies are required to approve a particular drug before it can hit the market. Thus, it is plain to see that the government takes a number of precautionary steps to ensure that the prescription drugs it releases are safe and effective. However, when you purchase prescription drugs online, it is important to remember that many of these online shops are in fact scam sites that want to make some quick money. So before you buy your prescription drug online, take steps to ensure that the site you are making your purchase from is a legitimate pharmacy.
A number of online pharmacies are run by registered pharmacists. Since these pharmacies are overseen by practicing pharmacists, you can purchase prescription drugs online from them without worrying about the quality of your merchandise.
To make it easy for you to purchase online, choose an online pharmacy that also offers competitive prescription services. One of the major benefits of getting your prescription drugs online is the ability to purchase from the international market. Many pharmacies deliver internationally although they will have to stick to the strict guidelines laid by various countries regarding the type of items that maybe delivered into these countries.
Purchasing your prescription drugs online is convenient, discreet and fast. Only exercise caution and make sure that you buy from a reputed online store.
1) Chemistdirect.co.uk provides over 20,000 health and beauty products online at the lowest guaranteed price. It was launched in November 2007 by entrepreneur Mitesh Soma with the support of his wife Krishna, a UK registered Pharmacist.
2) Chemist Direct are an online chemist based in the UK. We are specializing in delivering medicines and health products at discounted prices.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Monday, 5. April 2010
Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere else in the world. Many people on low or fixed incomes are desperate for relief from the high prices of the medications they need.
Because of the escalating prices, many Americans are forced to go without the medications or give up other basic necessities in order to afford their prescriptions.
However, there are some things you can do to help control your prescription drug expenses. Here are a few tips from PolarMeds Pharmacy:
* Be sure the medication is covered under your insurance. Most patients have some type of health insurance. However, your policy might not cover all of the medications you need.
Ask your doctor if the prescribed medication is covered under your insurance.
* Substitute a generic equivalent. The drug companies that make generics must meet the same rigorous standards as the brand-name drug companies. The generic medications work the same way, and you can save
hundreds of dollars a year.
Before getting your prescription filled, ask if the drug is available in generic form. On the prescription, there is often a box that can be checked off, which has wording like “substitute for equivalent drug.” That statement allows the pharmacist to switch to a cheaper, generic equivalent medication.
* Take advantage of pill cutting. Most medications come in several different dosages. When prescribed a medication, ask your doctor if it can be cut in half.
Cutting a pill in half that is twice the dosage you usually take can often save you 25 percent to 50 percent off your usual prescription costs. Pill cutters cost only about $3 and can be found at any drugstore. Do not use a knife or razor blade.
* Do some comparison shopping. If your neighborhood pharmacy does not provide the best prices, go elsewhere. One option is to order online or by mail order through Canada, where prices are generally 30 percent to 50 percent cheaper than in the United States. PolarMeds Pharmacy, for instance, is specially licensed by the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association to conduct international pharmacy services.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Saturday, 3. April 2010
The number of people ordering online drug store prescriptions has continued to rise year after year, to the point where Internet-based drug stores are popping up around the world. But why are so many people choosing this new way to obtaining their medications? Below, we’ll give some of the top reasons consumers have changed the way they receive their prescription drugs.1. Individuals are More Comfortable with the World Wide WebLet’s face it – the Internet has taken over as the main way most people and businesses communicate. And so many people order things online that ordering online drug store prescriptions seems completely innocuous and second-nature. In fact, it’s the rare person who has never even considered making a purchase via cyberspace.2. Consumers Prefer PrivacyMost men and women don’t want their personal business known by many people, including their neighborhood pharmacists. Therefore, if they can get online drug store prescriptions instead of ordering them face-to-face, they will. Really, this is only human nature; for plenty of people, ordering a drug like Viagra is somewhat embarrassing; consequently, ordering it via the Internet just makes sense.3. The Prices are Competitive… and Often LowerBrick-and-mortar pharmacies may occasionally give a break on prices, but chances are good that online drug store prescriptions bought through a web-based drug store will be even cheaper. The online drug stores do not have to maintain the stock that your local drug store does; therefore, they aren’t worried about paying for back room space and can pass those savings onto their patrons.4. People are BusyWith the crazy and busy lives so many families and individual lead, it’s no wonder that they turn to online drug store prescriptions. Who really has time to stop off at the pharmacy several times a month when it’s not necessary? And with gas prices sky-high, it just makes fiscal and personal sense (and cents!)5. The Brands are Available Via Online Drug StoresFor some consumers, online drug store prescriptions are the only way they can get the prescription drugs they need. This is due to the fact that many neighborhood pharmacies can not possibly stock all the different brands of a certain medication. Therefore, to get the drugs they need, men and women use online prescriptions.6. It’s a Secure Way to Do BusinessTransactions between online prescriptions’ companies and their clientele are typically encrypted, meaning that security is heightened. Although brick-and-mortar pharmacies try to offer the same services, they are often unable to establish the same kind of convenient, secure system. (Have you ever overheard someone else’s prescription order? Chances are, you have. This doesn’t happen when ordering online prescriptions via the Internet.)7. Some Online Drug Store Prescriptions Can Be Filled by an Online-Based DoctorIn a few cases, online-based physicians can write online prescriptions without seeing their patients face-to-face. This is extremely advantageous to individuals who, for whatever reason, are reluctant to go to a doctor’s office. (Some people may have such extreme phobias that they psychologically cannot force themselves to go outdoors.) Thus, these people can get the drugs they need without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.8. Internet-Based Drug stores are Open 24/7Though there are some neighborhood pharmacies open round-the-clock, who wants to get into a car and drive several miles at midnight if they don’t have to? The fact that anyone can order online drug store prescriptions anytime from anyplace is attractive.9. You Can Order Online Prescriptions from Any ComputerYou’re on a business trip to Spain and you realize that you’ll need to get your prescription filled as soon as possible. No problem! Just jump onto the nearest computer and you’ll soon be getting your online prescriptions filled. This ability to order no matter your locale means fewer chances for mixed dosages, too.10. Web-Based Pharmacies are Chock-Full of InformationAre you considered about a prescription drug but don’t want to discuss it with your pharmacist? Odds are good that an online drug store will have everything you need to know about your online prescriptions. That way, you can stay informed without having an awkward conversation with someone at a store.If you’ve never tried getting your drugs the new-fashioned way, why not place an order for an online drug store prescription today? You don’t have to order everything at once, but definitely check it out. After all, it truly is the wave of the future of pharmaceuticals.eDrugstore.MD is an online pharmacy boasting over eight years of selling FDA-Approved online prescriptions, at the lowest prices available on the internet. Garner an array of benefits associated with buying prescription medicines from the Internet’s leading online pharmacy.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Friday, 26. March 2010
A lot of physicians use drug samples when starting a patient on a new medication. Often there is risk involved with started a patient on a new medication. Sometimes the drug doesn’t work for the patient or he/she has a reaction to it. If a full prescription is written the patient is left with a bottle of pills that they can’t even use; not to mention they are out the money spent on the medication. Physicians see samples as a way of saving the patient money and allowing them to test out a new treatment. I found a few articles online that talk about this subject, they can be found below. The Institution for Safe Medical Practices posted a safety alert regarding the use of prescription drug samples.The alert states that while these free samples are useful for patients just beginning the medication or that only need a small dosage, precautions should be taken. The alert gives information on what instructions should be given to a patient when drug samples are distributed. Specifically mentioned are instructions on the frequency in which the medication should be taken, the amount that should be taken, any special precautions for use and potential side effects that can be expected. To read this safety alert visit http://www.ismp.org/newsletters/consumer/alerts/Samples.asp Matthew Paulson posted an article on the community published Web site Associate Content. Paulson also suggests to readers to ask their physician about drug samples when given a new prescription. He suggests that if drug samples are not available, call around to various pharmacies in your area for the best price on your prescription. Drug prices vary by pharmacy, and you could save up to 50 percent just by calling around. To read Paulson’s article visit http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/245907/save_money_on_prescription_drugs_with.html?cat=5 The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Consumer Magazine published an article on ways to save money on prescription drugs. One suggestion is communicating with your physician on what you can afford in terms of prescription drugs. Ask if a generic version of the drug is an option or ask for resources on financial assistance from the government and/or pharmaceutical drug companies. Another option the article gives is drug samples. Most pharmaceutical companies give doctors samples of their most popular drugs to give to patients that are unsure of how the drug will affect them. While this isn’t a long term option, it could provide some short term relief to lower income patients. The FDA article can be found online at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2005/505_save.html.
Carl Clarke is the Webmaster for Info-About.com, which offers the
latest news, reports and blog posts on an expanding range of hot topics. He strives to inform the public on these important issues through this site. Visit them on the Web at http://www.info-about.com.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -
Sunday, 7. March 2010
i have recently been diagnosed with genital herpes, although i have not had a blood test yet to confirm it. I went to walmart to get a prescription of generic valtrex filled and my total came to a ridiculous $244! i can not afford this kind of medication, i told them to just put it back. I have bad insurance, its called a health savings account and apparently it helped a little with the cost of the valtrex (what a joke). i am only 18 years old and will have to live with this the rest of my life, its painful and i feel that i can not have intercourse until i am on medication that will reduce the chances of me spreading it. Is there another way to get this medication at a cost that i can actually afford? Or is there a way to make my outbreaks less frequent or painful? If i get medicated i will have less outbreaks, it will lessen my chances of spreading it, and it will reduce my pain and discomfort so i am very desperate. If u have ANY information i will be extremely grateful.
i live in the US
Posted in Answers by Prescription Savings -