Prescription medications are needed by people every day, but rising drug prices are sending consumers on the lookout for alternative ways to acquire their medication. Prescription drug costs have soared to an all-time high: As of 2006, consumers were spending more than 216.7 billion dollars per year on prescription drugs, as reported by The Kaiser Family Foundation, and researchers predict this number will grow.
Many Americans rely on these prescriptions to keep them healthy and to avoid further illness. However, with the high out-of-pocket expense and decrease in free samples from doctors' offices, patients are searching for assistance.
Here are a few tips on how you can find free prescription medication.
Instructions
1. Contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. This program helps patients who qualify obtain prescriptions they might not otherwise be able to afford without healthcare coverage. Many individuals will get their medications free or nearly free.
2. Contact the manufacturer of the drug you are prescribed directly. Viagra, for example, is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc. Many health insurance companies won't cover the cost of Viagra, but Pfizer has a program designed to assist patients in obtaining a free supply of the medication if they meet certain qualifications.
3. Apply for Medicare or Medicaid. If you qualify for either of these programs due to disability, age, or income level, you could potentially obtain free prescription medication.
4. Ask your health care provider. Physicians are educated continuously and have up-to-date information on current prescription assistance programs. Let your doctor know that you are seeking free or low-cost prescription medication, and ask for a referral.
Tags: prescription medication, free prescription, free prescription medication
