Save money at the pharmacy when you buy your blood pressure prescription. The biggest secret is that you will have to ask for the discount because it will not be given to you automatically when you get your prescription filled.
I asked my pharmacist why he would charge more for the same blood pressure medication if I don’t ask for the $4 list. He said it had to do with some disclosure clause given by the federal government.
Paying Too Much for Generic Drugs
The strangest thing about it is that many pharmacies usually give the generic medication when your prescription is filled unless your doctor orders the brand name. However, they won’t give you the $4 price unless you ask for it. Therefore, You will pay more for the generic medication that you thought was the brand.
The Fact of the Matter
The truth is there is no significant differences between generic and brand name drugs. When a new drug is first put on the market, the drug company usually charges good bit for the brand name. However, after a period of time that is indicated by the FDA, other drug companies are allowed to make the generic of the drug. According to the FDA, generic drugs are equivalent to the brand although they are cheaper than the brand.
The drug company that makes the generic drug must prove to the FDA that the generic drug is equal to the brand name drug. The difference between the brand and the generic is the inactive ingredients and perhaps the appearance of the medication. However, the generic and brand must be the same compound and same effect or the FDA would not approve the genetic.
The $4 List Medication
Many drug stores have a $4 list and some drug store even give free medications for certain drugs if you have a prescription. There are also prescription savings clubs that comes with the purchase of a membership up front. I suggest using the $4 list or free drug list. I really did not find paying the $7-$10 for the drug card worth the extra costs.
See below for the links to some examples of the $4 list medication, free medication, and prescription savings clubs. Most pharmacies have some type of program, BUT remember you won’t get it unless you ASK!
Click here for WalMart $4 List bit.ly/2wKb8YL
Click here for Walgreen’s $4 List http://bit.ly/31B5DtE
Click here for CVS $4 List http://bit.ly/2XA0JKV
Click here for Sam’s Club $4 List http://bit.ly/2IdwPqN
Click here for Publix Free and discounted medication http://bit.ly/2Zi4Mfh
Resources
Kesselheim, A.S., Misono, A. S., Lee, J. L., Stedman, M. R., Brookhart, A., Choudhry, N. K., et al. (2008). Clinical equivalence of generic and brand-name drugs used in cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Medical Association, 300(21), 2514-2526. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2713758/pdf/nihms110306.pdf
