Top 17 Ways to Cut Your Prescription Drug Costs

Written by Gary Nave


Continued from page 1

·Many doctors still prescribe Pepcid 20mg to their patients. A one-month supply of Pepcid 20mg cost approximately $60. Pepcid AC, over-the-counter in 10mg strength, taking doublerepparttar dose costs approximately $23.

·Most prescription cold medications average $20 to $60 for a one month supply and containrepparttar 114662 same decongestant that is available over-the-counter for less than $2.

9. Get Only a 7-day Supply of New Medication.

·Ifrepparttar 114663 doctor does not have samples, ask your pharmacist to give you only a one-week supply to try. It is a federal law that medicines can’t be returned once they are dispensed. If you get a month's supply and can’t toleraterepparttar 114664 medicine, you have just lost that money.

10. Stop Using Drugs You No Longer Need.

·Review all your prescriptions with your doctor at each visit. You may be paying for some drugs you no longer need.

·Doctor run www.rxaminer.com provides a custom analysis of your medications to save you money. You can get a free, no obligation, Cost Screening to find out how much you can save.

·Also ask your pharmacist to review your medications in addition to your doctor. Here is why. A pharmacist's valuable services and knowledge are free. He may also find something your doctor missed.

·A lady developed a persistent cough after she had been taking a blood pressure medication for approximately 3 months. Her doctor treated her cough with antibiotics and cough syrup for 6 months. She asked her pharmacist about her cough lasting so long. The pharmacist found that a possible side effect of her new blood pressure medication was a persistent cough. Her doctor argued but changed her medicine and her cough stopped. The lady had spent over $750 in doctor’s fees and medication just to treatrepparttar 114665 cough.

·A mother was giving her daughter antibiotics to treat a kidney infection. Her daughter consistently had a fever. This continued for several months. The baby’s pediatrician prescribed several antibiotics unsuccessfully. After searchingrepparttar 114666 literature,repparttar 114667 pharmacist discovered thatrepparttar 114668 antibiotic had a side effect of persistent low-grade fever. Inrepparttar 114669 end,repparttar 114670 mother had spent over $500 on doctor visits and prescription cost.

·Don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist questions, their advice is free and can often save you money and aggravation. Ask questions about side effects, and drug interactions.

11. Order Your Prescription Drugs by Phone.

·You can save 20%-50% by ordering prescription drugs overrepparttar 114671 phone. Bonus, you do not have to pick them up atrepparttar 114672 pharmacy.

·Make a list of your medications, including strength and number taken daily. Then list at least six pharmacies you are going to call. Don’t forget about discount mail order sources too, several are listed atrepparttar 114673 end of this booklet. Then call and get prices, ask if this is their best price available. Comparerepparttar 114674 costs.

12. Pay Attention torepparttar 114675 Quantity.

·Find out how much medication you really may need, and make sure your doctor doesn't order you more medicine than is necessary to treat your condition.

13. Ask Your Doctor for Samples at Every visit. They Usually Have Plenty.

14. Take Only Those Drugs You Really Need.

·When your doctor prescribes medication for you, understand exactly what it's meant to do and for how long. If you areprescribed two drugs forrepparttar 114676 same symptom, ask if you really need both.

15. Buy Home Test Kits.

·Kits for determining ovulation, pregnancy and colorectal cancer, can be purchased as home tests instead of paying twice as much for similar kits at your doctor's office.

16. Crossrepparttar 114677 Border.

·If you live close to either Canada or Mexico, you can buy some medications in either country for 75% offrepparttar 114678 U.S. price.

17. AARP Members are Eligible for Many Discounts, Including Mail-Order Pharmacy Discounts.

·Ask for an AARP discount.

If you have questions about these tips or your medication ask your doctor and pharmacist.

********************************* * Senior Discount Card Programs * *********************************

(G) GlaxoSmithKline’s The Orange Card (888) 672-6436

·Covers all GSK’s drugs. Must have an annual income below $30,000 per individual or $40,000 per couple

·30% average at participating pharmacies

(L) Eli Lilly’s LillyAnswers Card (877) 795-4559

·Covers all Lilly’s drugs except controlled substances. Must have an annual income below $18,000 per individual or $24,000 per couple.

·$12 Co-pay per prescription for 30-day supply.

(N) Novartis’ CareCard call (866) 974-2273

·Covers select Novartis drugs. ·Tier 1 must have an annual income below $18,000 per individual or $24,000 per couple. $12 Co-pay per prescription for 30-day supply.

·Tier 2 must have an annual income below $26,000 per individual or $35,000 per couple. Receive a 25% or more discount.

(P) Pfizer’s The Share Card call (800) 717-6005

·Covers all Pfizer’s drugs. Must have an annual income below $18,000 per individual or $24,000 per couple.

·$15 Co-pay per prescription for 30-day supply.

(T) Together Rx Card (800) 865-7211

·Over 150 select drugs from a group of manufacturers. Must have an annual income below $28,000 per individual or $38,000 per couple. (Higher in AK and HI).

·Savings of approximately 20-40% offrepparttar 114679 amount you usually pay for prescriptions and, in many cases, substantially more.

END

The Cost Containment Research Institute is a public interest group dedicated to helping consumers find important information on cost saving medical topics. CCRI publishes a book that may help lower your prescription drug costs.


Ultra Pure Drinking Water -Is it healthy ?

Written by Pauline Robinson


Continued from page 1

The drinking water most conducive to good health is that which contains a moderate to high mineral content.

The acidic Distilled water and Ultra Pure Reverse Osmosis can leach pollutants from its containers, sorepparttar choice of storage containers is important. Glass is best and seamless stainless steel and inert plastics are next best. Don't store distilled or ultra pure reverse osmosis water in soft plastic bottles.

When your water has a pH below 6.5 it is considered acidic. When this occurs, water can actually start to eat away at pipes and stain silverware, imagine what happens elsewhere. Since this is happening, you will need to neutralize your water.

Where distilled water or reverse osmosis water isrepparttar 114661 drinking water of choice,repparttar 114662 consumer should pay attention to insuring a plentiful source of minerals from food and/or supplements.

Withrepparttar 114663 CRL-pH+ remineralization filter developed at HealthSmart Nutrition placed afterrepparttar 114664 RO system or distiller this problem withrepparttar 114665 pH drop is lessened. The water is adjusted to a mild alkaline pH for a smoother taste and a healthier water.



Pauline Robinson is the Health Consultant for HealthSmart Nutrition http://www.air-water-nutrition-healthsmart.com to learn more about why minerals are so necessary http://www.air-water-nutrition-healthsmart.com/coral-cal-min/why_minerals.htm more information about the CRL-pH+ filter see http://www.air-water-nutrition-healthsmart.com/mineral-filter.htm


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