If you’re concerned about the high price of drugstore prescriptions, you’re not alone. More and more Americans are being forced to make the unhealthy decision not to get their prescriptions filled due to the high cost of pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, this can have serious health consequences if you’re taking medication for treatment of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. If the cost of drugstore prescriptions has become unmanageable, consider using some of these ways to save on the medications you’re taking.

Ask for a generic.

Studies have shown that generic prescriptions can cost up to eighty percent less than their brand name equivalent. The FDA requires that the active ingredients in generic medications be the same as the name brand. They also must be present in the same concentration and have the same activity in the human body as the brand drug. The only difference may be in the fillers used to make these less expensive alternatives. Ask your doctor if a generic drug would be an appropriate substitute for the medications you’re currently taking. The savings can be considerable.

Ask for samples.

Many doctors have a closet full of drug samples. Before filling a new prescription, ask your doctor if he has samples available. This will give you a chance to try the medication and see if you experience any serious side effects before filling the drugstore prescription.

Ask about a less expensive alternative.

If your doctor prescribes a medication for you that’s costly, ask if a less expensive medication is available that will do the same thing. In many cases, there will be an appropriate alternative option that can help you reduce the cost of drugstore prescriptions.
If you have no health insurance

If you have no health insurance to pay for drugstore prescriptions, look into the patient assistance programs that some pharmaceutical companies offer. You can find out whether you qualify for this unique service by visiting Partnership for Prescription Assistance at pparx.org.

Don’t make the mistake of not filling your prescriptions due to the high cost. Make your health care provider aware of your financial limitations so he or she can be more aware of the costs of the medications prescribed and help you find suitable alternatives that better fit your budget. Your good health is too important to jeopardize.