Canadian Pharmacy & 3 Other Ways to Save on Prescriptions
Today, you will learn four ways to spend much less on your prescription drugs. Many Americans don’t realize you can get the best health care in the world, very cheap… many times for free.
Strategy №1: Until recently, insurance companies and the Medicare system determined the prices you paid for drugs of all kinds. Now, you can set the prices you pay just by talking with your doctor.
You see, to protect their profits, drug companies often develop “new” (patent-protected) versions of an old drug. Frequently, these newer versions aren’t any better than the old stuff, they just cost a lot more money.
For example, doctors prescribe drugs known as statins for heart disease. The №1 selling statin is Lipitor, which can cost as much as $150 a month. The original statin, Mevacor, went off patent in 2001. If you get the generic version of Mevacor, you might pay only $4 per month for it. That’s a 97% discount!
Wal-Mart and Walgreens now provide hundreds of drugs (many generics) for only $4 per month… or $3.33 per month if you buy a 90-day supply. So ask your doctor if your brand-name drugs are really better for you than older, cheaper versions.
Strategy №2: If you can’t cut costs with generics, try buying foreign. Until Wal-Mart and Walgreens launched their dirt-cheap plans, many smart Americans were buying from companies outside the U.S. In fact, Canada is a great place to buy brand-name drugs.
Don’t worry; buying prescription drugs from Canada via the mail is perfectly legal. But be sure to deal with a reputable company. And shop around: Prices can vary drastically. For example, prices on a 90-day supply of Lipitor ranged from $173 in Canada to $442 in the U.S.
Three well-known and respected Canadian pharmacies are Medications Canada (+1–866–481–5817), Canada Prescriptions Plus (+1–866–779–7587), and Maple Leaf Meds (1–800–998–4016). If you’re able to plan ahead, mail-order services can save a bundle.
Strategy №3: The best-kept secret of the drug business is that you can get almost any prescription drug in the world, free. Don’t expect to hear this secret from your pharmacist… or even your doctor. But these programs are already being used by thousands of in-the-know Americans across the country.
The first step is to go to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance website. Then enter the drugs you take and fill out a simple form. The website will tell you which drugs are eligible for financial assistance and from what company.
If you already know who makes your drug, go directly to that drug company and see if you qualify. The best way is to call the company directly and ask for the “patient-assistance program.”
Keep in mind: These programs are for low-income folks who struggle to afford their medications. Each company has different criteria for giving free medications. Not everyone qualifies, but I’ve heard of some people qualifying even with an annual income of $50,000 a year. To apply, you’ll have to verify your income and medical expenses.
Strategy №4: Want to know the nearest place to buy the cheapest medications? Visit www.drx.com. This site also compares prices to the cheapest mail-order offers.
Not only will these secrets save you money, but they’ll also allow you to stop relying on drug makers, insurance companies, and self-important physicians to act in your benefit.
