Pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the same medicine, so it's a good
idea to comparison shop.
- Ask your physician and pharmacist if a generic drug could be appropriate.
Generics usually cost less than brand name drugs. Many insurance companies
use a multi-tier co-payment plan for prescription drugs. Be sure to ask before
filling the prescription.
- Consider using a mail-order or online pharmacy, especially if you will be taking
a drug for a long time. They often charge less.
An increasing number of consumers are replacing a trip to the pharmacy with a trip on
the Internet. While there are online pharmacies that provide legitimate prescription
services, there are also some questionable sites that make buying medicines online
risky. Do business only with a licensed U.S. pharmacy. Check with the National
Association of Boards of Pharmacy to determine if the site is licensed and in good
standing. Visit www.nabp.net or call 847-698-6227.
An online pharmacy should offer you access to a registered pharmacist who can answer
any questions you might have about drug interactions, side effects, etc. Be wary of
sites that:
- Sell drugs without a prescription
- Sell drugs not approved by the FDA
- Advertise quick cures
- Tell stories of "amazing results"
If you suspect a site is not a licensed pharmacy, report it and any complaints to
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.
Want to know the side effects of a particular medication? Curious whether a drug has
been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration? For answers to these
questions, and information on approved prescription drugs, over-the-counter and
discontinued drugs, visit www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfd.
For general drug information, contact the FDA.
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