Before You Buy Prescription Drugs

1. Make sure that your child really needs a prescription

Antibiotics are one of the most used, and overused medications in children and adults. A common excuse used by doctors that overprescribe antibiotics is that they think parents expect it, so be sure to let your Pediatrician know if you don't.

Unless your child has a specific bacterial infection, such as a UTI, ear infection or strep throat, etc., ask if the antibiotic is necessary. And remember that a green or yellow runny nose does not automatically mean that your child needs antibiotics.

2. Ask if you can substitute a generic for the prescription that was written.

Minocin is a commonly used antibiotic used to treat acne in adolescents. A one month supply can cost between $125 and $177 a month. However, Minocycline HCl, the generic version of the drug, only costs about $25 to $27 a month.

3. Pill Splitting.

One parent recently asked if I could change her son's prescription for Adderall (a stimulant used to treat ADHD) from a single 10mg tablet twice a day (60 10mg tablets per month), which was costing her $89, to 1/2 of a 20mg tablet twice a day (30 20mg tablets per month), which was only $40. Although he would still be getting 10mg of medicine twice a day (1 10mg vs 1/2 20mg tablet), making this change saved her $49 a month and all she would have to do is cut each pill in half, which is easy since Adderall tablets are scored. Asking your Pediatrician for a higher strength of a medication and giving it at a lower dose is one good way to save money. It doesn't work with all medications though. Another commonly used ADHD medication that it does work for though is Ritalin. 60 10mg tablets given at a dose of 1 pill twice a day costs about $50. An equivalent prescription for 30 20mg tablets given at 1/2 pill twice a day only costs about $27. You can save even more by changing from brand name Ritalin to generic Methylphenidate HCL, which only costs about $14 for 30 20mg tablets.

4. Three month supply

For medications that are used for prolonged periods of time, such as allergy or asthma medications, get a 3 month supply of medication from a mail order pharmacy, which can save you an additional $10 to $15.

5. Ask for samples

If you don't have a prescription card and there is no generic available in the medication that is being prescribed, ask if your doctor has samples of the medication. Many doctors are given free samples of commonly used medications by drug representatives.

6. If there is no generic substitute available, then ask if there is a generic of a similar medication.

Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of many of the medications commonly used today. This is especially true for antibiotics, since bacteria have become resistant to many of the older drugs that have generics. However, one of the most useful antibiotics today is still Amoxil, which is available as the generic Amoxicillin and can now be given twice a day. Both are fairly inexpensive, costing about $8 to $12 for a 10 day supply. For resistant bacteria, high dose Amoxicillin, given at almost twice the normal dose, is one of the most effective antibiotics. So, if your child needs an antibiotic, ask if he can be given Amoxicillin. Eczema is a common skin condition in children that can require expensive medications. Some steroid creams, including Cutivate and Elocon can cost up to $40 or $50, and they are not available as a generic. However, triamcinolone acetonine 0.1% cream is a similar strength steroid, is a generic medication and only costs about $8, and it can be equally effective.

7. Ask if your insurance plan offers benefits for medications.

Participating with your insurance plans prescription drug benefit program can often be cost effective if you have young children, who are susceptible to ear infections and other conditions that often require prescription medications. A chronic condition, such as allergies ($120 for a one month supply of an antihistamine and steroid nasal spray), asthma ($200 for preventative and rescue medications), or acne ($150 for antibiotics and topical medications) can be very expensive to control. Instead of paying the full price for each prescription, only paying a copay, which usually ranges from $5 to $30, can save you a lot of money. Even if you do participate in your insurance plan's prescription plan, you will likely pay more for brand name medicines, so you should still ask for generics. Non-formulary medications, or drugs that aren't preferred by your plan can be even more expensive. Consider bringing your drug plan's formulary to your visits to the doctor to make sure that the medicine you are prescribed is covered. Or if a non-formulary drug is required, ask your insurance company for a non-formulary drug request form. The drug may be covered if your Pediatrician fills out the form and states that it is a medical necessity that your child takes the medication.

8. Compare prices from different pharmacies, including reputable online pharmacies.

It is often difficult to comparison shop when your child is sick and you want to get his prescription as quickly as possible, but doing a little research at different pharmacies can save you money. When comparing prices, it can be helpful if you have a general idea of how much medicines cost. Online pharmacies are a good resource to research drug prices. One online service, pillbot.com, will even do the research for you, comparing prices from popular pharmacies.

9. See if your pharmacy, or look for a pharmacy, that offers a price matching service.

Do your research, find the lowest price for your prescription, and then see if your pharmacy will match it. Some will even match the lowest prices that you find online.

10. If you do not have a prescription drug card and/or can not afford the cost of your child's medications, look for help.

One service that provides help and medications for people who can't afford their medications is The Medicine Program. Or check with the Partnership for Prescription Assistance to see if the manufacturer offers, and you qualify for, financial assistance or free medications. RxHope.com and RxAssist.com are other good resources to find no cost medications if you can't afford your prescriptions.

11. Educate your Pediatrician to make them more aware of what medicines cost.

Bring your receipts for your medications to your next visit. Seeing the actual dollar amounts might be good motivation for your Pediatrician to choose medications that are cheaper and equally effective. And don't be afraid to ask your Pediatrician to change your child's prescription if you think it is too expensive.

 

Source: About.com