The high cost of medication in this country is a concern for us all. Yet when we are acutely ill or burdened by chronic illness, adequately researching competing information and savings claims can prove an arduous task. As a result, when it comes to filling a prescription many of us default to habit. If your budget is tight, you may want to reconsider. Here are a few resources and tips that may help save you money:

Pharmacy Pricing Varies Widely:
In May of 2013 Consumer Reports published a survey regarding the cost of a months supply of 5 common generics from 11 different pharmacy retailer groups. In all five cases, CVS was the most expensive and Costco* the least. The range was considerable. A 30 day supply of escitalopram 20 mg tabs (generic for Lexapro) was $17 at Costco vs $150 at CVS. The cost was $85 at Target and $105 at Walgreens.

To confuse matters further, some pharmacies utilize 'lost leaders' in their drug marketing. For example, while one of your medications may fall under a retailer's "$4 Generics" pricing, you may be paying more for your other medications at that same location. Just as many of us purchase groceries at 2 or 3 locations to access better price points on particular items, accessing different pharmacies for different medications many reduce your out of pocket expense substantially. (If you decide to access your medications from more than one pharmacy, be certain to provide your full medication regimen to all retailers so that potential drug / drug interactions are monitored.)

Does My Copay Represent a Cost Saving?
Not necessarily. Recently one of my patients switched to Costco to fill his antidepressant script. He paid cash. Doing so saved him money as the price was LESS THAN HIS COPAY when utilizing his insurance prescription drug benefit. After passing that information on to other patients, I have heard many examples of patients saving money by bypassing their insurance. David Belk, MD, states it plainly: "Close to 80 percent of the prescriptions filled in the U.S. now are for generic medications. So using your insurance to buy many of these medications isn't saving you money, it's costing you money."

May I Mail Order My Drugs From Outside the USA?
Not if you live in the USA. Not legally.
Statistics vary but overall the cost of brand name medication in the USA can be 40% or more above the price paid for the same drug from the same manufacturer when purchased in another country. Yet to "reimport" your medication from another country remains "unequivocally" against the law. Notably, many individuals and companies opt to do so anyway. Per WebMD: "Governments of the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Vermont, as well as many city governments and private employers have turned north [Canada] for lower-cost prescription drugs."

Online Prescription Drug Savings Sites:
There are numerous online sites that claim to provide competitive pricing on medication, just as Kayak or Expedia and the like offer comparisons and/or savings on travel. Some (e.g.: Pharmacy Checker) simply list competing suppliers. Others offer coupons (e.g.: GoodRx) or "free membership" (e.g.: LowestMed) and provide a card. These alternatives may be a good option for some people, though I would exercise caution as from my limited searching the prices were not always less and/or discount reliability could not be confirmed.

Ultimately, what retailer we chose may be based on variables aside from cost. Supporting a local business or geographical convenience may be of a greater priority for you than cost savings. And if your insurance coverage is extensive, your copays may be low and vary minimally. If, however, your budget concerns are great and your insurance benefits are limited, I strongly encourage you to explore the resources above and target reduction of your prescription medication costs today!

* Costco Pharmacies are required to be open to the public; you need not be a member.

Linda J. Rohan, ARNP