1. You may qualify for a free drug program.

There are more than 1,100 medicines that are made for 100
manufacturers that have free drug programs. most important drug
companies provide free drugs, but rarely if ever
publicize their programs. It is estimated that two billion dollars
of free medication is given away annually.

Larry’s father has prostate cancer and takes Casodex.
every day, which costs $300 per month in the US and $180 from
Mexico. She sent his father’s information to see if he
qualified. He recently found out that his father did qualify for
get the medicine for free. Larry just saw a little
article buried inside the newspaper. He never knew these
programs existed.

A complete list of medications and manufacturer programs is
available. For more information visit: http://www.institutedc.org

2. Get a free pharmacy discount card.

AdvanceRx offers a free discount card to anyone who saves
13%-25% and covers all medications dispensed at a pharmacy. For
For details, call 1-800-ADVANCE (238-2623) or http://www.advancerx.com.

· There are five free discount cards for Senior Citizens.
Discount cards cover more than 200 popular medications.

3. Save up to 93% by ordering a generic

· Use generics whenever they are available. both branded
and generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, they are
the same in strength and dosage, complies with the same government
quality control standards.

· According to Mark Erblat, director of pharmacy and owner of
Rx For You, cost savings on brand vs. generic will vary
from drug to drug and from pharmacy to pharmacy, but it can be
significant. For example:

Prozac brand 20mg, 100 tablets are $280.19 and generic
sells for $29.99 (Saving 89%)

Vasotec brand 5mg, 100 tablets is $103.59 and generic
sells for $18.19 (Saving 82%)

Zantac brand 150mg 100 tablets is $173.39 and generic
sells for $10.99 (Saving 93%)

The Zestril brand of 10 mg and 100 tablets costs $96.29 and the generic
sells for $39.99 (Saving 58%)

4. Veterans now qualify for more benefits.

Recent laws have changed that provide medical services to veterans.
benefits for certain diseases such as diabetes and
hypertension, provided that the veteran is subject to requirements
conditions such as exposure to Agent Orange.

See if you qualify for benefits by checking with your
Veterans Administration.

5. Cut your costs in half… by using a pill cutter.

· Most pharmacies should stock pill cutters. Sometimes,
medications can be split in half and save you 50%. Tea
reason is because the price of various pharmaceutical manufacturers
some of their medicines are the same for all potencies.

Lipitor is essentially the same price for all concentrations.
You can save up to $100 on a month’s supply
of Lipitor by simply getting the most strength and cutting
to the half. Ask your pharmacist.

This method may not be appropriate for all medications and
could be dangerous if used with the wrong medicine.

Start by asking your doctor or pharmacist if your
the medicine is available in a dose twice the normal dose
(eg, if you normally take a 20mg pill, it is a 40mg pill.
available?). If so, ask if there would be any
problems dividing tablets or capsules.

Now, do a cost comparison between the two doses. If he
higher dosage is less than double the cost of your regular
dose then you’ll be saving money by having your doctor
prescribe the highest dose and then divide it. The cost savings is
typically 32% to 50%.

. Viagra is another drug that lends itself to being
divide in half or quarters to save 50% to 75% depending on
the required dose. The average Viagra user who uses two
doses per week can save over $400.00 per year.

This method is not appropriate for all medications. Check
with your pharmacist. Some easy-to-split medications include:
Ambien, Aricept, Buspar, Effexor, Lipitor, Luvox, Paxil,
Remeron, Risperidal, Seroquel, Serzone, Viagra, Zoloft,
Zyprexa. (Ask your pharmacist for others)

6. Save by buying at 90 vs. 30 day supply.

Most pharmacies have bigger savings on longer days
supply. Also, when it comes to people who have
prescription drug coverage, there may be other savings
getting a larger daily supply.

For example, if you have a $10 copay, the insurance
the company will allow you to get only a 30-day supply generally
for that $10. A 90-day supply purchased without insurance may
it only costs you $18.

This would be much cheaper than paying $10 per month ($30
for 90 days). It would also save you two trips to the
pharmacy.

7. Ask for an older drug that works just as well.

Many pharmacists agree that antibiotics are probably the
most drugs prescribed in excess or incorrectly.
Often the doctor will prescribe a newer antibiotic than
has been promoted as more effective. what this really means
is that it is considerably more expensive.

The newer antibiotics are often no more effective than the
older antibiotics. However, they are new and covered by
patent protection Therefore, the newer drug is more
cash to secure a good profit for the drug
manufacturer for many years.

Since many generics are made in the same factory as the
brand-name ones, be sure to ask your doctor for one
generic antibiotic. A great broad-spectrum generic
The antibiotic costs 80% less than a new antibiotic. In dollars,
it costs you $20 instead of $100.

8. Over-the-counter medications can be just as effective as
Prescription drug.

Many doctors still prescribe Pepcid 20 mg to their
patients One month supply of Pepcid 20mg cost
approximately $60. Pepcid AC, OTC in 10mg
strength, taking double the dose costs about $23.

Most prescription cold medications average $20 to $60 per
a one-month supply and contain the same decongestant that is
available without a prescription for less than $2.

9. Get only a 7-day supply of new medications.

If the doctor does not have samples, ask your pharmacist.
to give you just a week’s supply to try. it’s federal
Law that does not allow the return of medicines once delivered.
dispensed. If you get a month’s supply and cannot tolerate
medicine, you just lost that money.

10. Stop using drugs you no longer need.

Review all your prescriptions with your doctor at each
to visit. You may be paying for some drugs that you no longer need.

Doctor run http://www.rxaminer.com provides a personalized analysis of
your medications to save you money. You can get a free, no
obligation, Cost Screening to find out how much you can
save.

Also ask your pharmacist to review your medications on
besides your doctor. Here’s why. of a pharmacist
valuable services and knowledge are free. He can also find
something your doctor missed.

A lady developed a persistent cough after being
taking a blood pressure medicine for about 3
months. His doctor treated his cough with antibiotics and
cough syrup for 6 months. He asked her pharmacist about it.
cough that lasts so long. The pharmacist found that a possible
side effect of his new blood pressure medication was a
persistent cough His doctor argued but changed his medication.
and his cough stopped. The lady had spent more than $750 on
medical fees and medications just to treat cough.

A mother was giving her daughter antibiotics to treat a
kidney infection. Her daughter constantly had a fever.

This continued for several months. the baby’s pediatrician
He prescribed several antibiotics without success. Later
searching the literature, the pharmacist discovered that the
antibiotic had a side effect of persistent low-grade fever.
By the end, the mother had spent more than $500 on doctor visits.
and the cost of the prescription.

Do not hesitate to ask your pharmacist, your
advice is free and can often save you money and aggravation.
Ask questions about side effects and drug interactions.

11. Order your prescription drugs over the phone.

You can save 20% to 50% by ordering prescription drugs through
the phone. Bonus, you don’t have to pick them up at the
pharmacy.

Make a list of your medications, including the strength and
number taken daily. Then list at least six pharmacies that
they’ll call Don’t forget discount mail order
sources too, several are listed at the end of this booklet.
Then call and get prices, ask if this is your best price
available. Compare the costs.

12. Pay attention to the quantity.

Find out how much medicine you really need and make
make sure your doctor does not prescribe more medicine than is
necessary to treat your condition.

13. Ask your doctor for samples at each visit. They usually
I have enough.

14. Take only the medicines you really need.

When your doctor prescribes medication, understand
exactly what it is meant to do and for how long. If you
two medications are prescribed for the same symptom, ask if
I really need both.

15. Buy home test kits.

Kits to determine ovulation, pregnancy and colorectal
cancer, they can be purchased as home tests instead of paying
double for similar kits at your doctor’s office.

16. Cross the Border.

If you live near Canada or Mexico, you can buy
select medications in either country at a 75% discount in the US.
price.

17. AARP members are eligible for many discounts, including
Discounts at mail order pharmacies.

Ask about an AARP discount.

If you have questions about these tips or your medication
ask your doctor and pharmacist.

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* Senior Discount Card Programs *
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(G) The GlaxoSmithKline Orange Card (888) 672-6436

· Covers all GSK medicines. You must have an annual income below
$30,000 per individual or $40,000 per couple

30% average at participating pharmacies

(L) LillyAnswers Card from Eli Lilly (877) 795-4559

· Covers all Lilly medications except controlled substances.
You must have an annual income of less than $18,000 per individual or
$24,000 per couple.

$12 copay per prescription for a 30-day supply.

(N) Call Novartis CareCard (866) 974-2273

Covers select Novartis medications. Level 1 must have an annual
income below $18,000 for an individual or $24,000 for a couple.
$12 copay per prescription for a 30-day supply.

Tier 2 must have an annual income of less than $26,000 per
individual or $35,000 per couple. Receive 25% or more
discount.

(P) Pfizer Share Card call (800) 717-6005

· Covers all Pfizer medications. You must have an annual income
less than $18,000 for an individual or $24,000 for a couple.

$15 copay per prescription for a 30-day supply.

(T)Together Rx Card (800) 865-7211

· More than 150 medicines selected from a group of manufacturers. Should
have an annual income of less than $28,000 per individual or
$38,000 per couple. (Greater in AK and HI).

Savings of approximately 20-40% of the amount you normally
pay for prescriptions and, in many cases, substantially
plus.

THE END