7 Ways to Buy Cheaper Drugs
Hey people, wake up. When faced with the choice of buying groceries or your prescription medications, it's time to get smart. There are plenty of ways to save money on your drugs if you're willing to educate yourself and put in a little effort. You'll also have to learn about pharmaceuticals, know your health plan, become a savvy healthcare shopper. So, before you skip a dose, read on to learn 7 ways to score cheaper drugs.
1. Insist on Generics
A generic drug is a pharmaceutical no longer under patent protection. An example of a generic drug, one used for diabetes, is metformin. A brand name for metformin is Glucophage. (Brand names are usually capitalized while generic names are not.) A generic drug, one used for hypertension, is metoprolol whereas a brand name for the same drug is Lopressor. Generics are sold over the counter or at low cost as a generic prescription. Generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs that have exactly the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are exactly the same as those of their brand-name counterparts. They are every bit as safe and affective. Some people become concerned because generic drugs are often substantially cheaper than the brand-name versions - generally at least 70% cheaper. They wonder if the quality and effectiveness have been compromised to make the less expensive products. The FDA requires that generic drugs be as safe and effective as brand-name drugs. So there's no truth in the myths that generic drugs are manufactured in poorer-quality facilities or are inferior in quality to brand-name drugs. The FDA applies the same standards for all drug manufacturing facilities, and many companies manufacture both brand-name...
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