Whenever a person takes a medicine, their hope is that the medicine will help them get better. But some medicines can be expensive. The price of not taking the medicine is even greater. You could get worse, need another doctor’s appointment, need to take more medicines, or possibly end up in the emergency room or a hospital.

Although there are no easy ways to pay for medicines you need, here are some ways to stretch those dollars:

Is My Prescription Medicine Available Over-the-Counter?
Some medicines are available as both a prescription and as over-the-counter (OTC).

For example, ibuprofen can be purchased with a doctor’s prescription or as an OTC. As a prescription, the strength is higher (400-800 mg) than the OTC (200 mg). It may be cheaper to buy the OTC and take more tablets of the OTC to get the same dose of the prescription medicine that your doctor prescribed.

Is My Medicine Available as a Generic?
When a drug company makes a new medicine, they have a patent and no other company can make this medicine. But when the patent runs out, other companies are allowed to make the generic form of the medicine. Generic medicines are usually cheaper. Typically, they cost 50-70% less than the brand name medicines.

Ask your doctor and pharmacist if your medicine is available as a generic. And whether there is any special information you need to know before switching to a generic.

Sometimes, your doctor may recommend that you stay on a specific brand name medicine so that you are always taking the same medicine made by the same manufacturer. This is because generics can be made by different manufacturers and the amount of medicine that gets into the body can vary slightly.

Normally, this does not cause problems. Some medicines need careful dosing and you should always try to stay on the same manufacturer’s product. This includes such medicines as those that prevent seizures (phenytoin) and blood clots (warfarin) or medicines that improve how the heart works (digoxin). If you are taking any of these types of medicines and can find a pharmacy that will always order them from the same generic manufacturer, this is ok. It is often easier to take the brand name medicine in these cases because you will automatically get the same manufacturer.

So before switching between generic and brand name talk to your doctor.

Can I Split My Tablets?
If your doctor prescribes a tablet that can be split easily, this might be another way to save money. Your doctor may be willing to write a prescription for double the strength of the medicine. Then, you can divide the tablets in half to double the number of doses for one co-pay. Check with your pharmacist if your medicine can be divided in half.

Can I Get a Two-Month Supply?
Some insurance companies allow patients to buy a two-month supply for one co-pay. For example, if you are taking your medicine once a day, your doctor can write for 60 tablets/capsules instead of 30 tablets/capsules. Your insurance can tell you the quantity of medicine you can buy per co-pay. And this can help you save money by paying only one co-pay.

Will Mail Order Pharmacies Save Me Money?
You can usually save by ordering medicines through a mail order pharmacy. However, you also lose face-to-face counseling with a pharmacist. They can show you how to use your medicine correctly. And they can give you advice if you develop any problems while on the medicine, which may be difficult to explain on the phone.

Some insurance companies allow prescriptions to be filled at a mail order pharmacy. You will need to have a doctor’s prescription, fill out a health form about your health conditions and current medicines you are on, and mail the forms with the prescription and payment for the medicine.

If you have questions about your medicine, there is a toll-free number to call to speak to a pharmacist. Be patient with some mail order pharmacies because you might have to select from a series of options before you can speak with a pharmacist. It is highly unlikely that you will get to speak to the same pharmacist each time. Also, it can take 1-2 weeks before you receive your medicines through mail order. This means you have to order your refills ahead of time so you will not run out of medicine.

Are Online Pharmacies Safe?
Sometimes you can find bargains on medicines through the Internet. But watch out for unsafe, phony, incorrect, or no product at all when purchasing medicines online.

You want to be careful with Internet pharmacies that do not have an address or phone number to contact in case of a problem. You have no idea where they are located, where they buy their medicines, what the medicine is made of, or who to reach if you have a question or problem.

Also, if you are buying medicines without first seeing a doctor, you may be taking the wrong medicine to treat the wrong condition and make things worse.

Make sure that the online site is legitimate by checking for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal. The FDA has some tips on buying medications online. Go to www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/ for these tips.

What About Bargain Shopping?
Call around to local pharmacies and compare prices. Most pharmacies will match prices. This way you can stay with the same pharmacy so that your records are accurate and avoid any drug interactions.

Be aware that sometimes buying your medicines without using your insurance may be cheaper than the co-pay. Your pharmacist will usually let you know if this is the case.

Is Patient Assistance/Discount Cards an Option?
Many drug companies have patient assistance programs for specific medicines. Through these programs you may be able to get these medicines at a reduced price or at no charge. Call the company that makes your medicines and find out about these programs.

Medicare will have a prescription plan in 2006. Until the plan goes into effect, you can apply for a discount card. This card can save you 10-25% on your prescriptions. Visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information.

Are All Canadian Medicines Cheaper?
Many people are buying medicines from Canada because they think it is cheaper. This is true in most cases if they are buying a brand name medicine. What many consumers do not know is:

• The cost savings are closely tied to the value of the Canadian dollar. If the Canadian dollar continues to rise, the cost of Canadian medicines will also rise.
• Generics in the United States have recently been shown to be the cheapest in the world. Studies have shown that generic medicines in the United States are cheaper than the same generic medicines in Canada. Forbes Global reported in February 2003 that 21 out of the 27 most common generics were cheaper in the United States than in Canada. For example, amoxicillin was 49% cheaper in the United States than in Canada.
• The Canadian Medical Association is strongly discouraging Canadian physicians from signing prescriptions for U.S. patients they have never examined. The Association has warned them that their liability insurance will not cover them if the US patient is harmed.
• They are not going to have the face-to-face counseling with a pharmacist or the normal safety checks that they can get at their local pharmacy.

Years ago people did not have the modern medicines available today. Many lost their eyesight, died, or had lasting injuries. Today, we have life-saving medicines that can help you avoid surgery and keep you out of the hospital. But these medicines can be expensive. In the long run, they can save you money. You need to weigh the risks and benefits and determine what is best for you.

Although medicines can be costly, there are ways to stretch those dollars. Remember, your health is priceless. So do not put your health at risk by not taking your medicines because of cost.