Many factors driving prescription drug costs up and up – like huge research and development expenses and advertising – are out of the hands of consumers. Fortunately, there are still many things you can do to take charge of medication costs and keep more dollars in your own pocket. This fact sheet points out what you can do as we work together to lower pharmacy costs whenever possible.

Common sense cost-saving ideas include:

• Asking for a generic drug. Using generics whenever they are available keeps your personal spending as low as possible. Both brand-name and generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, are the same in strength and dosage, and meet the same government quality control standards. Cost savings on brand vs. generic can vary widely from drug to drug and from pharmacy to pharmacy, but can be major – as much as 89 percent!
• Checking to be sure your drug is on the formulary. Each health plan develops its own preferred list of FDA-approved generic and brand-name drugs, called a drug formulary. These drugs generally have the lowest out-of-pocket cost to members. The formulary is chosen by a committee of doctors, pharmacists and other medical experts who consider many cost and quality issues as they make their decisions.
• Asking for free samples at the doctor's office. If your doctor is prescribing a new medication, see if there are samples you may try first. This way, if you have an allergic reaction or side effects, you won't be stuck with a large supply – and you'll save yourself, our company, and your insurance company the cost of a prescription.
• Foregoing the newest drugs if they are not really necessary (sometimes the tried and true can be the best choice – and the least expensive). Both prescription drug use and shifts to higher priced drugs can be tied directly to advertising. Don't pressure your doctor into prescribing a drug just because you have heard it advertised.
• Becoming familiar with over-the-counter alternatives. There are countless over-the-counter solutions available that once were available only by prescription. By talking to your doctor and/or the pharmacist, you'll not only save on the cost of a prescription, you'll also save the cost of an office visit.
• Making a "brown bag" appointment with your doctor. If you are on many medications (including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins), put everything in a bag and take it with you to a doctor visit at least once a year. Safety is the primary concern, but you may end up saving money, too.