Aug 12, 2008 7:25 pm US/Eastern
Box Retailers Offer Affordable Prescription Meds
Costco, Wal-Mart, Target Offer Same Pills, Often For Less
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil
CBS/The Early Show
While consumers have been focused on the rising cost of gasoline, another necessity has gotten even more expensive – prescription medicines.
CBS 2 HD has some practical ways you can cut your pill bill and save on other health care costs as well.
They're 26 commonly prescribed drugs -- used to treat spasms in infants, even certain types of tumors -- and according to a recent study the average wholesale price of these drugs increased by more than 100 percent last year.
Now Congress is being asked to look into the huge price hikes, but what can you do in the meantime to cut your health care costs?
"You can fill your prescription at one of the big box retailers," said Toni Hope, health editor at Good Housekeeping Magazine.
Health experts say if you shop around and buy generic drugs instead of brand names, you can save up to 52 percent. Stores like Costco, Wal-Mart and Target all sell prescriptions for as little as $4 for a month's supply.
"And that includes popular drugs like generic Zocor, Prozac, even Clomid," Hope said.
If you're an allergy sufferer and take prescription Clarinex for allergies, a cheaper alternative would be to ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter Loratadine. It's the generic version of Claritin and could save you as much as $110 for 30 tablets.
If you're starting a new drug regimen, another money saving tip would be to ask your doctor for a starter kit to test before buying a month's worth.
And take advantage of free health screenings, like one offered on Walgreen's Take Care Health Tour.
"They have a body mass index," said Jim Burke of Walgreens. "They have waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol."
Finally, if you take the same pills every day ask your insurer if they have a half-tablet program. Pills in bigger doses often cost less when you split them in half.
If you take the same prescription medications regularly, ask your doctor if he can write a prescription for a three-month supply. That way, you'll make only one co-pay instead of three and save some money. And always check with your doctor before any medication changes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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