Generic drugs online

Source: Washington Post

Date: 21-Jun-2011

Medicare Part D has helped lower drug costs for many seniors. Still, many Consumer Reports readers who replied to a recent survey paid $500 or more on medicine this past year, with some spending at least $1,000. Here's a prescription for people who pay out-of-pocket: Shop around.

From a variety of online and walk-in pharmacies, Consumer Reports found the price it would cost in cash for a 30-day supply of four brand-name drugs. (For each walk-in retailer, 10 shops across the country were contacted; based on their prices, we calculated an average for each chain.)

The bills varied by up to 28 percent. Over a year's time, that's a difference of close to $2,000. On average, Web-based pharmacies were the least expensive. Costco.com's prices were similar whether you buy online or at a store. And you usually don't have to be a member ($50 a year) to use Costco's walk-in pharmacies, although members without prescription-drug coverage can reap extra savings on some drugs.

Prices for the same drug within the same chain sometimes differed by $30 or more. Wal-Mart's prices were the least variable, independents' prices the most. But on average, independents charged less than any walk-in store except Wal-Mart.

Other ways to save

l Consider generics. More than 20 of the chains included in the survey, including major retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Kmart, Wal-Mart and Target, sell hundreds of generics for as little as $4 for a 30-day supply, or $10 for 90 days. The average price of cholesterol-lowering Lipitor in the study was more than $115, and in many cases generic lovastatin is a suitable substitute costing $4.

Apply for a discount card. Many pharmacies have programs that let consumers buy $4 generics or qualify for steeper discounts on other drugs and services. The programs are often free. Kmart has a discount program for customers 50 and older who do not have prescription drug coverage.

l  Ask for a break. Posing as an uninsured cash customer, a Consumer Reports reporter phoned drugstores for price quotes, but in fewer than 10 of 50 calls did the drugstores suggest how he might cut his bills. About all anyone ever said was, "You're on the real expensive ones," or "Your doctor's not doing you any favors." When he asked specifically whether the store would match a competitor's price or give him a price break, several druggists said they'd be willing to work with him.

l  Talk to human resources. Especially if you take a drug for a chronic condition, ask your benefits administrator whether your company uses a pharmacy benefit manager, a firm that helps companies cut the cost of prescription-drug coverage. PBMs have formularies (lists of preferred drugs) include certain drugs that are available, usually via mail order, at reduced rates.