7 Healthcast
Saving money on drugs
Reported by:
Producer:
Jodi Parrish
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With the crumbling economy, people are forced to cut back, and for many, that means even cutting back on their prescriptions. Frances Rivera reports on how patients could save some bucks, just by asking a few questions... it's tonight's health cast.
When you're sick, your main objective is to get well, and you're not really thinking about how much it's going to cost, until you go to the pharmacy to get your prescription.
Stefanie Ferrerri, pharmacist
"I am seeing more and more people come to me as a pharmacist and asking me 'How can I save money on their prescription meds?"
Consumer Reports found only four percent of patients ever talk about the cost of medicine with their doctor.
Dr. John Santa, consumer reports
"Patients to some degree need to have a heart to heart when cost is an issue."
Instead, patients are cutting corners: skipping doses, cutting pills in half, taking expired medicine, and even sharing prescriptions.
A few spend less on groceries, put off paying bills or apply for government help. Experts say asking for generics could save many patients a lot of money.
Kathleen Jaeger, Generic Pharmaceutical Association
"FDA approves generic medicines, providing the same medicine, and ensuring that they are safe and effective for their intended use."
Consumer Reports has put together a guide so patients can compare popular drugs and generics and add up the potential savings. Not every drug has a generic, and not every generic works for every patient.
That's why it's still important to talk to your doctor about medicines that you are taking.
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