Alternatives to High Prescription Drug Costs
Legal, prescription drugs are big business. Advertisements dominate television commercials, and many Americans have a cabinet full of pill bottles for a variety of conditions. A large proportion of those drugs are obtained with a valid prescription at a local pharmacy, using insurance coverage to pay the cost. When an insurance formulary doesn't include a particular medication or someone doesn't have insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs can be astronomical. This often poses a serious problem for people with limited incomes, leading many consumers to seek alternatives to high U.S. drug prices.
Mail Order
A simple way to save is through mail orders. An increasingly popular alternative to obtaining refills every month, prescriptions by mail usually provide a 90-day supply and offer significant savings over three individual refills. The order is processed through a local pharmacy, which sets up delivery of the medication to the patient's home and requires a signature upon receipt. A separate prescription may be necessary to allow for the larger supply, though doctors often include refills to cover a full year of medication. Anyone who has difficulty getting out to a store can also benefit from filling prescriptions by mail.
Internet Pharmacy
Another popular method used to buy prescription drugs is to order from an online U.S. pharmacy. Certain care must be taken with this option to avoid illegitimate and untrustworthy sites. For an online purchase to be legal, a valid prescription is required. This means that a licensed physician or other qualified practitioner has performed a physical examination, thereby establishing a relationship with the patient prior to prescribing a drug. Any other means, including online doctors who prescribe based on an Internet questionnaire, are illegal.
When choosing an online pharmacy, follow these basic measures:
*Choose a pharmacy that has a registered pharmacist available to answer questions about use of the medication and possible side effects.
*Make sure the privacy policy is adequate to protect your personal health and credit card information.
*Even if you have a prescription, don't buy from a site that doesn't require one.
*Avoid using a site that doesn't provide a physical address and telephone number.
*Medication packaging and inserts should have all usual information printed clearly, including the name of the drug, usage instructions, dosage, precautions and expiration date.
*If you receive medication that's unsealed or looks suspicious in any way, or if instructions or other information looks questionable, don't take it. Consult the prescribing physician or a local pharmacist, and report problems to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
While caution is necessary, legitimate online pharmacies can offer great convenience and savings.
Buying From Another Country
For those who want to buy prescription drugs from another country, Mexico and Canada are most often cited as sources, given the shared borders. Treatments not yet approved in the U.S. may be available, and even FDA-approved drugs often cost less. Strictly speaking, however, importing drugs from another country, whether from an online foreign-based company or by crossing a border, is illegal. Drugs may not be brought into the U.S. except by manufacturers and legitimate importers registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Exceptions exist for certain personal-use conditions, including times when specific treatment is not available locally; detailed information is available on the FDA Web site. However, if a drug is available in the U.S., the same drug purchased from another country is considered unapproved by the FDA.
In practice, medications for personal use are often overlooked as long as they are reported to customs with a valid prescription, there is no more than a 90-day supply, and the name printed on the label matches the individual's identification and the prescription itself. Failure to declare prescription imports can result in penalties and seizure, and in the case of controlled substances such as narcotics, stimulants or anabolic steroids, may result in criminal charges.
The greatest concern with purchasing drugs from another country is safety. Drugs might be counterfeit and not contain the expected medication, or they could be expired. Dosages might not have consistent potency, which could lead to ineffectiveness or dangerous over-dosage. Other medication ingredients may not be regulated or safe, and the same applies to manufacturing procedures. Labeling could be inaccurate, or lack necessary warnings and instructions. There may be no access to a registered pharmacist.
Alternatives do exist to help reduce the costs of prescription drugs, although using caution with sources outside a local U.S. pharmacy is necessary. Saving a few dollars is not worth risking a life.
Mail Order
A simple way to save is through mail orders. An increasingly popular alternative to obtaining refills every month, prescriptions by mail usually provide a 90-day supply and offer significant savings over three individual refills. The order is processed through a local pharmacy, which sets up delivery of the medication to the patient's home and requires a signature upon receipt. A separate prescription may be necessary to allow for the larger supply, though doctors often include refills to cover a full year of medication. Anyone who has difficulty getting out to a store can also benefit from filling prescriptions by mail.
Internet Pharmacy
Another popular method used to buy prescription drugs is to order from an online U.S. pharmacy. Certain care must be taken with this option to avoid illegitimate and untrustworthy sites. For an online purchase to be legal, a valid prescription is required. This means that a licensed physician or other qualified practitioner has performed a physical examination, thereby establishing a relationship with the patient prior to prescribing a drug. Any other means, including online doctors who prescribe based on an Internet questionnaire, are illegal.
When choosing an online pharmacy, follow these basic measures:
*Choose a pharmacy that has a registered pharmacist available to answer questions about use of the medication and possible side effects.
*Make sure the privacy policy is adequate to protect your personal health and credit card information.
*Even if you have a prescription, don't buy from a site that doesn't require one.
*Avoid using a site that doesn't provide a physical address and telephone number.
*Medication packaging and inserts should have all usual information printed clearly, including the name of the drug, usage instructions, dosage, precautions and expiration date.
*If you receive medication that's unsealed or looks suspicious in any way, or if instructions or other information looks questionable, don't take it. Consult the prescribing physician or a local pharmacist, and report problems to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
While caution is necessary, legitimate online pharmacies can offer great convenience and savings.
Buying From Another Country
For those who want to buy prescription drugs from another country, Mexico and Canada are most often cited as sources, given the shared borders. Treatments not yet approved in the U.S. may be available, and even FDA-approved drugs often cost less. Strictly speaking, however, importing drugs from another country, whether from an online foreign-based company or by crossing a border, is illegal. Drugs may not be brought into the U.S. except by manufacturers and legitimate importers registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Exceptions exist for certain personal-use conditions, including times when specific treatment is not available locally; detailed information is available on the FDA Web site. However, if a drug is available in the U.S., the same drug purchased from another country is considered unapproved by the FDA.
In practice, medications for personal use are often overlooked as long as they are reported to customs with a valid prescription, there is no more than a 90-day supply, and the name printed on the label matches the individual's identification and the prescription itself. Failure to declare prescription imports can result in penalties and seizure, and in the case of controlled substances such as narcotics, stimulants or anabolic steroids, may result in criminal charges.
The greatest concern with purchasing drugs from another country is safety. Drugs might be counterfeit and not contain the expected medication, or they could be expired. Dosages might not have consistent potency, which could lead to ineffectiveness or dangerous over-dosage. Other medication ingredients may not be regulated or safe, and the same applies to manufacturing procedures. Labeling could be inaccurate, or lack necessary warnings and instructions. There may be no access to a registered pharmacist.
Alternatives do exist to help reduce the costs of prescription drugs, although using caution with sources outside a local U.S. pharmacy is necessary. Saving a few dollars is not worth risking a life.