A community pharmacist for over four decades decided it was important to share with patients valuable links to trusted resources for those in need of health care information and valuable ways to save on the high cost of prescription medication.
The world wide web can be often be dangerous and deceptive. This pharmacist has volunteered to be your guide. A graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Rick is a community pharmacist and serves as adjunct Professor of Clinical Pharmacy. He resides in Greer, South Carolina with his wife, Debbie. They have two children, Abby and Stephen, both are pharmacists.
"The road to prescription savings should not be a highly guarded secret"
Prescription Savings Tips
Purchase Generic drugs when they are available
If you are covered by a drug insurance plan, know your formulary options. Most insurance companies employ the lowest copay on generic drugs but brand name drugs may have several tiers of copays. The lowest tier will cost less than a higher tier and some brand name drugs may not be covered without a physician requesting exception. If possible, bring your formulary to your physician and work together to find a medication which will be as effective within your formulary.
Ask your physician for samples before purchasing a new drug therapy
Ask your physician for coupons for "free" trial medication on new therapy options
Search forspecial coupon offers by searching the brand name company's website.
Search for "Loyalty Cards" on popular brand name drugs such as Nexium, Prevacid, Crestor, Lipitor, Veramyst, Advair, Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA, Effexor XR and many more.
Ask if your generic drug is on a$4 pharmacy sponsored program.
Ask if "Pill Splitting" will save you money on many prescription drugs where the option can be used safely.
Ask if your Drug Plan has a mail order cost saving program for long term drug therapies
Depending on income limitations you may qualify for certainpatient assistance programs which are available for many brand name drugs. Ask your Pharmacist for details.
Pricecompare different pharmacies butNEVER call for a cash price without at least utilizing a "Free Discount Prescription Card".
Search for a "Free Discount Prescription Discount Card using popular search engines such as Google or Yahoo. The discounts offered by The Community Assistance Programhttp://www.caprxprogram.org/u185 offers an easy search by zip code to locate the best price along with participating pharmacies in your area. Many of the major pharmaceutical manufacturers offer Loyalty card co-pay reduction assistance but may require some form of primary coverage before the benefits of co-pay reduction begin. The free discount cards combined with loyalty card assistance can cut cost significantly.(explore some of the Pharmaceutical Loyalty Cards on SCPharmacist @Twitter located on this page)
Patient Assistance Programs: Major Pharmaceutical Companies have joined the effort to assist those in need with programs that will provide immediate financial support toward affording high cost medications such as Nexium or Crestor. Patients who have limited income or those who have lost their job or persons with Medicare Part D Plans may be eligible. AstraZeneca the makers of Nexium and Crestor and other eligible products have recently introduced the AZ and Me Patient Assistance Program and The Merck Patient Assistance Program understands the challenges patients face and offers a helping hand.
The Rx Med Assist™ link located on this page offers access and patient support in accessing free medications. The application for qualifying and receiving free medications can be confusing and the people at Rx Med Assist™ will guide you through the process.
Do not think you don't qualify for free medications. Most unemployed and uninsured EASILY Qualify. The average income for qualifying is unbelievably high allowing undiscovered patient benefits. Don't pass up this help! You will be surprised at how easy it can be.
Medicare Part D participants in "The Gap" often qualify for free brand name drugs by simply exploring the patient assistance resources located on this page or on the loyalty card menu option. Many patients qualify for free medications once they have entered the Gap!
For people with limited resources, there are several ways to get assistance with medicare prescription coverage. Less than half of the people who qualify actually sign up, so if you think you may meet the criteria for financial assistance, don’t hesitate to apply. Explore this subject by selecting the"Medicare Part D" menue option located on the right of this page.
"Be Prepared for Emergencies"
Site dedicated to my wife, Debbie who through timeless wisdom and enduring love brought to this world my fantastic children, Abby and Stephen, who made me proud when they became Pharmacists.
