Prescription medication can be expensive, but there are ways to save money.
Insurance helps to offset prescription drug expenses, but insurance is not affordable for everyone, and not all insurance plans cover the full cost of medication. Even though many prescriptions are pricey, there are ways to save money. Some pharmaceutical companies have assistance plans that help to cover a portion of the costs, and some major retail stores have discount programs that allow you to get generic-brand prescriptions for much lower prices than their name-brand counterparts.
Common Pricing Per Pill
There is no real average when it comes to the cost of prescription drugs. Pricing varies based on the strength of the drug, number of doses in the prescription, length of time the drug has been on the market, and availability of generic versions. Prices also vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. For example, at the time of publication, the drug Lipitor can cost you $0.88 to $1.38 per pill for the 10 mg version. The 80 mg version runs from $1.28 to $3.36 per pill, and is often cheaper per pill when you purchase a 60-day or 90-day quantity.
High-End Costs
Other common prescription medications are even pricier without insurance. At the time of publication, the drug Lyrica costs close to $3 per pill on average. Nexium, another common prescription medication, ranges from $0.61 to $3.64 per 40 mg pill. In general, you can anticipate spending an average of roughly $1.25 per pill for name-brand prescriptions. Prescription medications that must be injected or inhaled can cost you a pretty penny as well. For example, two syringes of Humira will run you close to $1,890 without insurance.
Walmart and Target
Walmart has hundreds of generic prescription drugs priced at only $4 for a month's supply, at the time of publication. Those same generic medications are also available in a 90-day supply for $10. Not every prescription is available as a generic under this plan, however. Newer medications for which no generic brand exists are not available at this price. The pricing plan does cover most of the common medications prescribed for heart ailments, blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other health problems that are often age-related. Target stores also offer a comparable plan. Contact your local store to see if your prescription is available in generic form for this low price.
Save Money
There are many ways to reduce your prescription drug expenses. Purchasing the generic brand, when available, will save you money. Visit the website of the drug manufacturer to see if they have coupons, discount plans or financial assistance. Your doctor may have samples of the medication for you to use for a few days, or be able to point you in the right direction regarding a free trial prescription.
Tags: time publication, available generic, common prescription, drug expenses, from pill, generic brand
