Prescription drug sales are on the rise,up 8.3 percent to an eye popping $274.9 billion in 2006, according to a recent IMS Health report,but you don't (*)have to pay top dollar to stay healthy.
Health experts say options such as comparison shopping and using generic brands can save money.
Patients should ask their doctors if there is a generic brand for the medication prescribed, and once they get home, start calling around [to pharmacies] for prices; says pharmacist James Hare of Champaign, III.
For information, go to
Other tips; Talk to your doctor. Physlclans may not know your economic status and can suggest lower cost options, such as older brand name drugs. Shop on-line. Mail order pharmacies typically offer three (3) month supplies at the same copayment as one (1)month refills. Assistance is also available for low Income patients enrolled In the Medicare Part D Extra Help program. People who qualify pay minimal prices for drugs through their plans and receive assistance with premiums and deductibles. Sharon Shahld Highlights and (*) added by page author
Ordering Prescription Drugs via use of the web can result in saving time and money...But You must Exercise/Use Care when ordering drugs on-line.
Why? Because some on-line sources for medication ( Pharmacies or other )have not conformed to industry standards. by: • Not requiring a "Valid"prescription from your doctor • Not adhering/watching "expiration dates on drugs • Checking for Drug Interactions...by asking for listing of other drugs you may be taking.
Suggestions for helping find a reputable , on-line pharmacy,to ensure medicines bought online are safe for consumption.
Be Sure To • Only Use a licensed pharmacy. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy nabp.net or 847-391-4406) can tell you whether a particular online pharmacy is licensed and in good standing. • Use...where ever you can...a pharmacy service that carries the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program (VIPPS) seal. To gain approval, sites must maintain state licenses and allow inspections by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. • Insist on access to a registered pharmacist. Reputable sites offer toll-free access to registered pharmacists for help answering your medication questions.
• Reading...in detail...the Privacy and security policies, Before placing an order. • Be confident that your credit card number, personal health information and other personally identifiable information will be protected. (*)Page authors comment: Never use your credit card to order anything, unless the site/link evidences/shows HTTPS...note the "S" ( which signifys "Secure") plus a lock icon that has the top portion of the lock closed.
• Compare prices. Don't be content with contacting just one online pharmacy. Shop around to compares the prices before purchasing your medicines,
Be Sure NOT To • Use a site that doesn't require a doctor's prescription. Only your doctor can safely prescribe medication and monitor side effects. • Order medication that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Taking an inappropriate or unsafe drug may have life-threatening consequences. • Buy from sites that fail to disclose their address, phone number and email.
Full contact information from an online pharmacy is important for credibility and in case you need to contact them. Also steer clear of sites that list only foreign contact information. • Succumb to false claims. Don't buy medication from sites that advertise "miracle cures" or those that use impressive terminology to disguise poor science. • Hesitate to report problems. If your order doesn't arrive, you find unauthorized charges on your credit card or you have another problem with an online pharmacy, (*)REPORT IT to the FDA at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm Reporting a problem can help promote a safer marketplace for everyone. Discounts to medicare enrolleees without drug coverage and less that $28,00 for individual & $38,000 for married couple. Participation by Abbot Labs, Astra-Zeneca,Aventis Pharma, Bristol-Myers,Glaxo-SmithKline, Jenssen Pharma.,Novartis, Ortho-McNeil Pharm.,You Can Call @1-800-965-7211 PFIZER LAUNCHES "CONNECTION TO CARE" PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MORE FREE MEDICINES TO MORE LOW INCOME, ( $18,000/24,000 )UNINSURED AMERICANS. Through Enhanced "Connection to Care" Program, "Sharing the Care" and &quuot;Pfizer for Living ShareCard " Pfizer Offers Free or Reduced Cost Medicines to Over 27 Million Americans in Need...Phone Number 1-800-717-6005 Help for seniors without prescription drug coverage whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but limited enough that paying cash for necessary medicines presents a significant financial barrier. You can call1-877-795-4559 Helps to find programs for people ages 55 and over that that cover presciption medications costs and other AARP offers a state by state guide to prescription programs Medicare Drug Benefit Calculator What does the new Medicare drug benefit mean to you? Use this tool to find out. What Does the New Medicare Drug Benefit Mean for You II Answers to Questions about the Medicare Legislation The New "Medicare" Law Demystified...Answers about the Medicare "Drug" benefits Older Americans with retiree health coverage, individual health insurance, medigap coverage or other supplemental drug coverage will not be able to compare their current drug spending with projected out-of-pocket spending under the Medicare drug benefit. Calculations apply only to individuals who pay 100% of their prescription drug costs. IMPORTANT> Many current and future Medicare beneficiaries want to know if they will save money through the new legislation. By plugging in their current and projected spending levels in the drug benefit calculator at www.aarp.org/bulletin, beneficiaries will be able to get a general idea of how they will fare under the legislation. The Rx calculator features a user friendly interface and easily understandable results to evaluate the outcome of the new Medicare benefit. Pfizer has threatened to cut off all supplies of its products to any pharmacy that helps the cross-border trade. In a letter sent last month (January ) to all Canadian pharmacies.Americans may soon find it difficult to buy lower cost prescription drugs from Canada if a tough new effort by Pfizer Inc. succeeds in closing off the pipeline. Pfizer's action "will prevent us from being able to supply Pfizer products to Americans," says Dave MacKay, chief executive of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA), a trade group United Health Alliance's " Medicine News On Saving On Costs Of Medication ". Up Dated?b> More on Ordering Drugs from Canada CUT YOUR PRESCRIPTION BILLS...You Must Join Coalition for Access to Affordable R/X ( Medication )..You must join...It's Free. Compare Drug Prices Before You Buy U.S. Pharmaceutical Companies Offering Discounts Commercial Drug Discounts Touted...the Bush administration praised the pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKlein for starting a new private drug discount plan for senior citizens which will enable an estimated 11 million elderly to qualify for 25-40% discounts on medication produced by the firm. Many other pharmaceutical companies also offer discounted or free medications to low income seniors. The Canadian Drug Store...They say they can save you 50% on cost of drugs Site says you can save from 30 to 80% on Prescription Medication Print PacificMedications site advertises that they offer discount pricing on thousands of brand-name drugs such as Celebrex™, Viagra™, Claritin™, Prozac™, and much more. PacificMedications helps patients save money on expensive prescription drugs, and delivers to your door AARP's Article on: More Americans Go North for Drugs...50-Plus Consumers Find Price Relief in Canada; Internet Fuels the Trend...Is It Illegal ? FDA Criticized for 'Scaring' People Who Buy Medicines from Canada More Americans Go North for Drugs...50-Plus Consumers Find Price Relief in Canada; Internet Fuels the Trend LowCostCanadaRX.biz specializes in popular, prescription medications. offers discount pricing on thousands of brand-name drugs such as Celebrex™, Viagra™, Claritin™, Prozac™, and much more. Ships prescription drugs, delivered . If you think Congress and the FDA should allow Americans to purchase safely imported prescription drugs from Canada,...then visit this site Seven (7) Ways to Cut Rx Drug Costs Canadian "Mail Order" Pharmacy A Primer on the New Drug Discount Plan Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs (Including Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Cards). How-To be drug smart...You can learn a lot by visiting this site Medicare begins open enrollment for its new prescription drug coverage plans. A variety of plans, each with different features, will be offered by private health insurers. Medicare beneficiaries have different prescription drug needs, and the amount they will have to pay will change as an individual's annual costs rise. Here's a guide to how costs will be shared: 1 DEDECTIBLE For first $250 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: $250 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 0 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $250 2 INITIAL COVERAGE For next $2,000 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: 25% co-insurance up to $500 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 75% co-insurance up to $1,500 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $2,000 3 COVERAGE GAP For next $2,850 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: Up to $2,850 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: $0 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $2,850 4 ONCE BENEFICICIARY PAYS $3,600 WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: Whichever costs more 5% of drug cost OR $2 for generics/$5 for brand names WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 95% VALUE WHAT THE PLAN PAYS VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: Unlimited to end of calendar year. Source: Department of Health and Human Services Chicago Tribune/Van Tsui and Keith Claxton...12/2005 Watchout For Scams Watch Out For Fakes Don't agree to buy any card that does not carry the official Medicare Logo and the word ( Approved) placed under the Medicare logo, or costs more than $30.00, Don't give your Medicare, Social Security or Credit Card Number to "anyone" over the telephone or at the door. You can check Authorized Credited Card sponsers at WWW.Medicare.gov. To report "scams" call 1-800-447-8477. Back To Home Page Launched:: - 3/23/2004 : Accesses If Anything In This Page (Site) Conflicts With CopyRight, Please advise and Correction Will Be Made. © 3/23/2007
• Succumb to false claims. Don't buy medication from sites that advertise "miracle cures" or those that use impressive terminology to disguise poor science. • Hesitate to report problems.
If your order doesn't arrive, you find unauthorized charges on your credit card or you have another problem with an online pharmacy, (*)REPORT IT to the FDA at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm Reporting a problem can help promote a safer marketplace for everyone. Discounts to medicare enrolleees without drug coverage and less that $28,00 for individual & $38,000 for married couple. Participation by Abbot Labs, Astra-Zeneca,Aventis Pharma, Bristol-Myers,Glaxo-SmithKline, Jenssen Pharma.,Novartis, Ortho-McNeil Pharm.,You Can Call @1-800-965-7211 PFIZER LAUNCHES "CONNECTION TO CARE" PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MORE FREE MEDICINES TO MORE LOW INCOME, ( $18,000/24,000 )UNINSURED AMERICANS. Through Enhanced "Connection to Care" Program, "Sharing the Care" and &quuot;Pfizer for Living ShareCard " Pfizer Offers Free or Reduced Cost Medicines to Over 27 Million Americans in Need...Phone Number 1-800-717-6005 Help for seniors without prescription drug coverage whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but limited enough that paying cash for necessary medicines presents a significant financial barrier. You can call1-877-795-4559 Helps to find programs for people ages 55 and over that that cover presciption medications costs and other AARP offers a state by state guide to prescription programs Medicare Drug Benefit Calculator What does the new Medicare drug benefit mean to you? Use this tool to find out. What Does the New Medicare Drug Benefit Mean for You II Answers to Questions about the Medicare Legislation The New "Medicare" Law Demystified...Answers about the Medicare "Drug" benefits Older Americans with retiree health coverage, individual health insurance, medigap coverage or other supplemental drug coverage will not be able to compare their current drug spending with projected out-of-pocket spending under the Medicare drug benefit. Calculations apply only to individuals who pay 100% of their prescription drug costs. IMPORTANT> Many current and future Medicare beneficiaries want to know if they will save money through the new legislation. By plugging in their current and projected spending levels in the drug benefit calculator at www.aarp.org/bulletin, beneficiaries will be able to get a general idea of how they will fare under the legislation. The Rx calculator features a user friendly interface and easily understandable results to evaluate the outcome of the new Medicare benefit. Pfizer has threatened to cut off all supplies of its products to any pharmacy that helps the cross-border trade. In a letter sent last month (January ) to all Canadian pharmacies.Americans may soon find it difficult to buy lower cost prescription drugs from Canada if a tough new effort by Pfizer Inc. succeeds in closing off the pipeline. Pfizer's action "will prevent us from being able to supply Pfizer products to Americans," says Dave MacKay, chief executive of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA), a trade group United Health Alliance's " Medicine News On Saving On Costs Of Medication ". Up Dated?b> More on Ordering Drugs from Canada CUT YOUR PRESCRIPTION BILLS...You Must Join Coalition for Access to Affordable R/X ( Medication )..You must join...It's Free. Compare Drug Prices Before You Buy U.S. Pharmaceutical Companies Offering Discounts Commercial Drug Discounts Touted...the Bush administration praised the pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKlein for starting a new private drug discount plan for senior citizens which will enable an estimated 11 million elderly to qualify for 25-40% discounts on medication produced by the firm. Many other pharmaceutical companies also offer discounted or free medications to low income seniors. The Canadian Drug Store...They say they can save you 50% on cost of drugs Site says you can save from 30 to 80% on Prescription Medication Print PacificMedications site advertises that they offer discount pricing on thousands of brand-name drugs such as Celebrex™, Viagra™, Claritin™, Prozac™, and much more. PacificMedications helps patients save money on expensive prescription drugs, and delivers to your door AARP's Article on: More Americans Go North for Drugs...50-Plus Consumers Find Price Relief in Canada; Internet Fuels the Trend...Is It Illegal ? FDA Criticized for 'Scaring' People Who Buy Medicines from Canada More Americans Go North for Drugs...50-Plus Consumers Find Price Relief in Canada; Internet Fuels the Trend LowCostCanadaRX.biz specializes in popular, prescription medications. offers discount pricing on thousands of brand-name drugs such as Celebrex™, Viagra™, Claritin™, Prozac™, and much more. Ships prescription drugs, delivered . If you think Congress and the FDA should allow Americans to purchase safely imported prescription drugs from Canada,...then visit this site Seven (7) Ways to Cut Rx Drug Costs Canadian "Mail Order" Pharmacy A Primer on the New Drug Discount Plan Prescription Drug and Other Assistance Programs (Including Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Cards). How-To be drug smart...You can learn a lot by visiting this site Medicare begins open enrollment for its new prescription drug coverage plans. A variety of plans, each with different features, will be offered by private health insurers. Medicare beneficiaries have different prescription drug needs, and the amount they will have to pay will change as an individual's annual costs rise. Here's a guide to how costs will be shared: 1 DEDECTIBLE For first $250 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: $250 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 0 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $250 2 INITIAL COVERAGE For next $2,000 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: 25% co-insurance up to $500 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 75% co-insurance up to $1,500 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $2,000 3 COVERAGE GAP For next $2,850 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: Up to $2,850 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: $0 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $2,850 4 ONCE BENEFICICIARY PAYS $3,600 WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: Whichever costs more 5% of drug cost OR $2 for generics/$5 for brand names WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 95% VALUE WHAT THE PLAN PAYS VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: Unlimited to end of calendar year. Source: Department of Health and Human Services Chicago Tribune/Van Tsui and Keith Claxton...12/2005 Watchout For Scams Watch Out For Fakes Don't agree to buy any card that does not carry the official Medicare Logo and the word ( Approved) placed under the Medicare logo, or costs more than $30.00, Don't give your Medicare, Social Security or Credit Card Number to "anyone" over the telephone or at the door. You can check Authorized Credited Card sponsers at WWW.Medicare.gov. To report "scams" call 1-800-447-8477. Back To Home Page Launched:: - 3/23/2004 : Accesses If Anything In This Page (Site) Conflicts With CopyRight, Please advise and Correction Will Be Made. © 3/23/2007
1 DEDECTIBLE For first $250 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: $250 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 0 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $250 2 INITIAL COVERAGE For next $2,000 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: 25% co-insurance up to $500 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 75% co-insurance up to $1,500 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $2,000 3 COVERAGE GAP For next $2,850 worth of drugs WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: Up to $2,850 WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: $0 VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: $2,850 4 ONCE BENEFICICIARY PAYS $3,600 WHAT BENEFICIARY PAYS: Whichever costs more 5% of drug cost OR $2 for generics/$5 for brand names WHAT THE PLAN PAYS: 95% VALUE WHAT THE PLAN PAYS VALUE OF DRUGS RECEIVED: Unlimited to end of calendar year. Source: Department of Health and Human Services Chicago Tribune/Van Tsui and Keith Claxton...12/2005
Watch Out For Fakes Don't agree to buy any card that does not carry the official Medicare Logo and the word ( Approved) placed under the Medicare logo, or costs more than $30.00, Don't give your Medicare, Social Security or Credit Card Number to "anyone" over the telephone or at the door. You can check Authorized Credited Card sponsers at WWW.Medicare.gov. To report "scams" call 1-800-447-8477. Back To Home Page Launched:: - 3/23/2004 : Accesses If Anything In This Page (Site) Conflicts With CopyRight, Please advise and Correction Will Be Made. © 3/23/2007
Don't give your Medicare, Social Security or Credit Card Number to "anyone" over the telephone or at the door. You can check Authorized Credited Card sponsers at WWW.Medicare.gov. To report "scams" call 1-800-447-8477.
