Prescription drugs are very expensive, especially brand name new drugs. Some seniors who are taking 6 or more medications have a tough time keeping up with those costs on a fixed income. Most of them know to ask their doctor to prescribe generic equivalents, when available. Some doctors even do it automatically. But when generics aren’t available, we need more help for this costly problem.

So now, here are the top 5 cost-cutting ways to save BIG MONEY on prescription drugs:

? Ask for free samples!

Doctors are deluged with free samples from drug manufacturers. But they get busy and don’t always think of distributing those samples to their patients. So, ask and you might get a sample of a pricey drug that could last for a week or more. Caution: Check the expiration dates and don’t use samples that have been sitting around the office too long.

? Use mail order pharmacies or the internet!

Purchasing prescription drugs by mail or on the internet can be a very economical way to save money. Of course, you do lose the face-to-face interaction with a pharmacist who can tell you about drug interactions and answer your questions. Caution: The volume of drugs processed in a mail order facility is very high and mistakes are possible. The best way to do this is to do so only with drugs you take on a long term basis, drugs you’re very familiar with. Then, you reduce your risk of taking the wrong drug and possibly falling victim to unhealthy drug interactions. Note: Everyone is aware of the dangers of ordering drugs from another country. But if you do order drugs from a country other than the USA, it is even more important to be very familiar with the shape, size, and writings on the drug!

? Don’t let your insurance company impose limits on prescription length!

Your doctor might write a prescription for a 90 day supply but your insurance company may only approve a 30 day supply. This saves the insurer money but costs you money and extra trips to the drug store. The way to get around this is to ask your doctor to put “take as directed” on the prescription form instead of “take twice a day”. This way, the insurance company won’t be able to tell how many pills make up a 30 day supply. You can also ask for pills with twice the strength you need, and cut them in half with a pill cutter. This only works if the double strength pills work out to be cheaper after you cut them. Caution: It’s a good idea if you do either of those choices to write the directions on the pill bottle yourself so you don’t forget the correct dosage.

? Avoid time-release drugs!

Many types of prescription drugs have both a time-release and a non time-release version. Time-release drugs are always more convenient because they don’t have to be taken as often as the non time-release are but they’re also more costly. Always check the prices of each version before you order.

? Look at patient-assistance programs!

Pharmaceutical manufacturers offer these programs but they are rarely publicized. People who are short of cash due to job loss, severe illness or other financial setback may qualify for free brand name prescription medicine. In these cases, there is no generic equivalent. Usually, all that’s required is to have your doctor’s certification that you can’t afford a costly but necessary medication. You will need to call the drug manufacturer to find out if a particular drug is available through this type of program, and what the terms are.

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