To reduce safely the costs of medicines …
Do:
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Ask your doctor to instruct your pharmacist to fill your prescriptions with generic versions of the medicine, if one is available
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Shop for your medicines only at reputable pharmacies known to you
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Ask if the pharmacy gives a senior discount or discounts for “members” of their customer club
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Ask your doctor if it would be advisable for you to receive a larger size pill and cut it in half with a pill-cutter (Also, ask your pharmacist to confirm that cutting the pill is a safe thing to do)
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For long term therapies, ask your pharmacist if getting a 3 months supply would save money for you
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Check prices at several pharmacies before filling the Rx - However, if you shop at multiple pharmacies… be aware that they may not spot dangerous drug interactions.
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For very expensive medicines, patients with low income can qualify to obtain the medicine free or at big discounts from the manufacturer.
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Don’t:
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Order prescription medicines from the internet or buy them in Mexico – up to 80% are counterfeit and may contain toxins
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Order from Canadian pharmacies – most are actually in Asia or the middle east
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Skip pills to save money – can be dangerous to start and stop some medicines
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Split pills unless approved by doctor AND pharmacist
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Fill Rx at multiple pharmacies unless one pharmacist has a record of all of your meds and checks for Drug-drug interactions.
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Waste money on pills that don’t work – dietary supplements or homeopathic remedies
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Take medicines meant for another person
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Keep left-over pills so you can take them next time you think they might be helpful
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The pills may have expired
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Your diagnosis may be wrong
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They can be stolen by burglars (especially opiates)
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Final “Do”: Do visit CredibleMeds.org and learn how to become the most important member of your healthcare team and help manage your medicines intelligently.
1). AARP Report: http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/press-center/info-02-2016/report-retail-prescription-prices-increasing.html
2). Consumer Survey: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/09/sluggish-economy-forces-americans-to-cut-corners-to-pay-for-medications/index.htm