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Be an Advocate!
Your Prescription for Cheaper Rx PricesIf you’re one of the millions of people without prescription drug coverage, your mailbox is likely stuffed with colorful offers promising super savings on your medications.“Sure, they all sound great,” says retired furniture warehouse foreman George Shoemaker of Allentown. “But I want the bottom line. What does it cost, and how much will I save?” Here are some guidelines to help you answer those questions. Check out genericsThe first step toward savings is learning if generics are available instead of brand-name medications. “The FDA mandates that all generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, meaning they’re almost always just as safe and effective,” says Health Spectrum Pharmacy director Brian Lenich. “And using generics can save you 10-30 percent.”Take K-Dur for example. The brand name of this potassium supplement can cost $20-$40 for a 30-day supply, while the generic substitute, Klor-Con, only costs $10-$30. (Drug prices vary from day to day depending on pharmacy and market price.) Your pharmacist will know if a generic is available, and your physician will know if it’s right for you. With some conditions, you really do need a brand-name drug. Drug company cardsThese are the newest discount cards on the market. They’re free of charge and offer the greatest savings per medication, but they’re not for everyone and don’t cover everything. (No card does.)The Together Rx card, a recently introduced joint venture among eight drug companies, offers 20-40 percent savings per prescription for those below a certain income limit (see chart). Other drug company cards offer a flat price ($12-$15) per prescription, but have more stringent income requirements. All such cards cover only brand-name drugs manufactured by the firm(s) issuing the card, and therefore do not cover generics. For example, if you’re taking Lipitor, a cholesterol medication manufactured by Pfizer, you need to have the Pfizer Share Card to get a discount. “If you don’t know who makes your medications, ask your pharmacist,” Lenich says. Program-based cardsProgram-based cards will cost you an annual fee, but they offer competitive savings and—best of all—are good on many types of prescription and generic medications. Such plans are offered through AARP (MembeRx Choice) and Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s Vitality Plus Gold (RxAdvantage).The program-based cards are a good idea if you haven’t yet reached age 65. While the drug company cards cover you only if you’re on Medicare (over 65) and have no other prescription drug coverage, the program cards will cover you from age 50 on. Be aware that, while many pharmacies will honor your discount card, most will not honor more than one discount per prescription. Thus, you can’t use your Together Rx card and RxAdvantage card on a single 30-day supply of your medication.  Other money-saving tipsIf you don’t qualify for a discount card or decide not to buy one, there are other ways to find modest savings.
Want to Know More? For information on Vitality Plus’ RxAdvantage or for a list of contacts and phone numbers for other discount cards,
call 610-402-CARE. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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