Prescription drugs are expensive, but there are ways to save.

Most people need to realize that the price of a prescription varies from pharmacy to pharmacy. Talk to your pharmacist about your options for savings.

Generic Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Many people turn to medications they can buy over-the-counter (OTC) when they feel ill. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin 24H).

Over-the-Counter drugs are safe and effective for the general public without a doctor’s prescription. They are available at pharmacies, grocery stores, discount stores, airports, and gas stations. Several pharmacies provide discounts to their consumers, and some even accept a things like CVS coupons.

Generic OTC medications contain the same active ingredients as a brand name drug but have a lower cost because they do not require patents to be held by a company. This allows other labs to manufacture a generic version of the medication, which means it can be cheaper for a person needing it.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the generic versions of medications to ensure they have the same strength, dosage, and effectiveness as a brand-name drug. The FDA also requires generic drugs to meet strict criteria similar to branded medicines, including the active ingredient(s) and how they reach the body.

Some studies have found that consumers are more likely to choose store brands over name brands if they know the active ingredients in the medication and understand how the product works. In addition, consumers who have a college education or are in the healthcare industry, those who know how to identify the active ingredients in different OTC drugs, and those familiar with generic substitution of prescription drugs were more likely to prefer generics over brand names.

Ask the Pharmacist

Asking the pharmacist for help with pharmacy items is an excellent way to save money. They have the inside scoop on how to save money and avoid mistakes with these items, and they can advise on which products work best for your condition.

Whether you’re buying generic OTC medicines or mail-order maintenance medications, your pharmacist can help you find the proper remedy for your needs. They can also tell you how to take medicine and solve problems correctly.

For example, if you’re having trouble swallowing the pills or they’re hard to open, let your pharmacist know before you buy the product. They can offer you a different pill container that will be easier for you to take.

You might also ask your pharmacist about drug interactions with foods or other supplements. These can cause adverse side effects and even make the medications ineffective.

Your pharmacist can also recommend a daily pill organizer or other tools that will help you remember when to take your medication and how much to take. These can help you take your medicine as prescribed and prevent overdoses or other serious health problems.

Ask your pharmacist about refill programs if you have a chronic condition or are on multiple medications. These can synchronize all your refills into one trip and save you time.

Mail-Order Medications

Mail-order medications are a convenient way to save money on your regular prescriptions. Depending on your medicare advantage or Part D plan, you may get a 90-day supply of medications at a lower copay and refill costs compared to retail pharmacies.

Some mail-order pharmacies offer discounts if you buy multiple medications in one shipment. Ask your pharmacist about these offers before making a purchase.

Various online free price-comparison tools can help you compare prices and find savings on your prescriptions.

In addition, some companies also offer discount cards and digital coupons that you can use to save on your next purchase. These savings cards can be beneficial if you live far from your pharmacy, as they can offset the cost of shipping and delivery.

Another option is to use an app to fill your prescriptions at a discount online. These apps often have digital coupons for discounted items and the ability to order home delivery. Some also allow you to compare prices from several different pharmacies. These services are free and easy to use, but you should sign up for a membership.

Compare Prices Online

If you have a prescription that needs to be filled, it’s important to compare prices online. This will help you save money on your medications and avoid overpaying at the pharmacy.

Using comparison tools to find the best prices can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it. Consumer reports estimate that prescription drugs can vary by up to 10 times between pharmacies, which means you may be spending more than you should at your local drugstore.

A few websites are working to make it easier for people to compare medication prices. One, collects drug prices at pharmacies nationwide and connects customers to discounts to help pay for their drugs. Another, offers a similar service by negotiating directly with pharmacies to get them to give consumers better prices on their medications.

It’s also important to note that a person should always ask for the lowest price. Most pharmacists will run your prescription through insurance or charge you the total retail fee unless you specifically request that they apply an in-store or online discount coupon.

Other ways to save money on pharmacy items include choosing generic versions of brand-name drugs, asking the pharmacist to use a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply and signing up for a pharmacy savings card or membership program. These discounts can be applied to your next purchase and save you even more money in the long run.