Here's a trick to save on the rising prices of drugs.

[dixiegrrrrl]

One of my generic meds jumped from 10.00 for 90 day supply to 54.00.
Taht is a difference of 40.00 a year versus 216.!

The pharmacist suggested a very similar drug, same drug family, generic.
I called my Dr. office today, and asked if they they could prescribe it, and they did.
12.00 for 90 day supply.

Worth a chat with your pharmacist and phone call to doc if one of your meds suddenly zooms into the stratosphere.

[Sherman A1]

1. K&R

A good idea!

[Warpy]

2. Docs and pharmies are your friends

The pharmacists know what the various generics are going to cost. The doc knows your situation and your health needs and can prescribe the best of the cheapest.

I'm lucky, everything but the antirejection eye drops I use has either gone OTC or is available on the "cheap list" at either Wally's or Costco.

[djean111]

3. Also, check out Costco; you don't have to be a member.

And check goodrx.com - they give local prices and also suggest substitutions and generics.
That is great that the pharmacist suggested something just as good!

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. We live 2 hours away from any Costco, unfortunately.

Wally world is here...it is in every small town, it seems.

[djean111]

5. Costco will mail you your medicine, I think - and the difference can be astounding.

When my son had no insurance, his PTSD and agoraphobia meds cost $1446 for 90 days at CVS, $1198 at Walmart, and $1572 at Publix. I made a spreadsheet, and for a little while a tiny independent pharmacy mateched the Costco prices, but couldn't do it all the time. Plus Costco is 30 minutes away, and the price of gas was a huge issue.

So he mostly did without. Someone told me about Costco, I called, and total cost for 90 days was $171. All prices were for generic where available. (I broke down and cried.) Son has Medicaid now, which was life-changing. But it wouldn't hurt to ask Costco if you ever get hit with a huge increase.

[femmocrat]

6. Thank you, it is worth a try.

I have spent hours on the phone with my insurer while they search the formulary. Then they can't recommend anything; they only give you some alternatives (if there are any..... sometimes there are not). My doctor hasn't been willing to do the search... No wonder, it's very time-consuming. I think the insurer did call the pharmacy for me last time, though. The medicine I needed was no longer in production.

This is so frustrating!

[Celebration]

7. another trick is to order from overseas

Price difference can be big.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Is that still legal?

I do know from someone who works at a pet store that some fish anti biotics are the same as human ones, and often cheaper.
And can be mail ordered from pet supply stores.

[HuckleB]

9. Always let your docs know, if something like this happens. Also...

Sometimes calling the insurance company, and asking why the change in coverage for the med occurred, can give you some insight. Some insurance companies change the deals they have with different pharmacies on a regular basis. I know some people who call around to every pharmacy before taking their Rx in to be filled, so they get the cheapest deal for the insurance they have.

[SheilaT]

10. Nice.

I have the good fortune to be on Medicare, and my Advantage plan allows me to order a 90-day supply of the three meds I take, all generics, for zero co-pay. I consider myself VERY fortunate.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. Wal-Mart and quite a few other stores sell 90 days meds for 10.00

or 4.00 a month.

The meds are generic, and often your pocal pharmacy will match the price.
Wal-Mart has like a 5 page double side list of the drugs they sell at that price.

My local pharmacy matches their prices, mostly, so we can afford our meds, so far, thank god, without any insurance.

[SheilaT]

12. That's good to hear.

Me, I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart, but as I've indicated above, I don't have a personal problem with getting a good deal on meds.

Several years ago, while I was still working and had a very good health insurance policy I hasten to add, my one medication was ten bucks a month. Not bad at all. Then, I went on Medicare, and to my astonishment the copay dropped to four dollars per month. Nice, even though I could easily afford the ten dollars.

A couple of years later I'm on three meds, and as I said above, get a ninety day supply with no copay. Okay, so I take common generics. Even so, just about all medications should cost this much.

My younger brother had a kidney transplant nearly ten years ago, so needless to say he's on a bunch of medications. Oh, and he also has type 2 diabetes. Every year when he hits the donut hole, we, his siblings, send him money to cover that. Fortunately for everyone the donut hole is in the process of going away. But what a stupid idea in the first place.