How to cut the cost of your prescription drugs while buying medicine online

The cost of prescription drugs in India has caused frustration and worse, presented financial barriers for some consumers. A recent survey found that 29 % of people are not taking their medications as directed, either splitting or skipping dosage, opting for OTC medication instead, or not filling the prescriptions at all, to cut medical costs. 

In this article, we will discuss several strategies that can help consumers to decrease their spending. Here are six ways to combat sticker shock at the pharmacy counter. 

Ask why 

Find out why your medicine is so expensive. It is important to get the main root cause because you will ultimately find the best solution. A pharmacist is often highly knowledgeable about the complexities of pricing and can provide you with valuable guidance to choose the best alternative available. They may also help you with short-term saving opportunities such as manufacturer discounts and third-party coupons. 

Know your insurance

If you are insured, whether through a state or federally funded program, an employer or you take the time to learn the details of your plan’s design. Patients just do not understand how their plans work. They might think they are denied, but it might be a covered prescription, but they may have to meet an out-of-pocket deductible. If you are struggling to pay for prescriptions, there are some prescriptions program available to help. 

Switch to general medication

A piece of common advice for spending less money is to use generics rather than brand-name medications. Generic medicines are less expensive because the company that makes the generic did not have to spend more dollars on research and development. 

Be a savvy shopper

The prices of prescription medicines can vary from one online medical store to another, and there is no way of knowing the cheapest option unless you do your research. Even if you have health insurance coverage, you may find that the co-pay is higher than the discounted full price available through a membership program or using a coupon. 

Get a larger supply

You may need to take medication for at least 3 months. If this is the case, instead of getting a prescription for a 30-days supply, ask your doctor for a 90-days supply. You will usually save money by purchasing the medication in larger quantities. Besides, you would not have to refill the prescription as often, which can save money on co-pays. 

Request samples from your doctor

If your doctor prescribes you an expensive medication, ask him for some free samples. You can try drugs to ensure you don’t have any adverse side effects before filling the prescription. 

Conclusion 

Prescription drugs can be costly depending upon the type of drug and how often you need to refill. Whether you have insurance or not, there are options to lower your out-of-pocket costs when you buy medicines online. Don’t let the high cost of medicine be the reason you don’t take your medication!

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chemistsworld Joined: May 23rd, 2020