Shopping for Drugs: 2004
Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Comparing Prices
- Therapeutic Drug Substitution
- Bulk Buying
- Pill Splitting
- Generic Drug Substitutes
- Switching to Over-the-Counter Drugs
- Weighing the Cost and Benefits of a Drug
- Case Studies: Price Comparisons for Specific Drugs
- Buying Drugs Abroad
- Special Opportunities for Seniors: Medicare Discount Drug Cards
- Financial Assistance to Lower Drug Costs
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Appendix
- About The Author
Bulk Buying
Consumers can save the most on medications when they purchase in quantity. About 85 percent of employer-sponsored health plans offer members medicine by mail order. 39 Under these plans, a 90-day drug supply often costs the same as a 30-to-60 day supply at a community pharmacy. Generic drugs are especially subject to deep discounts. In many cases, ordering quantities of 100 tablets costs only a few dollars more than ordering 30 tablets. 40
Although drugstore chains still sell the most drugs, accounting for 42 percent of the market, mail-order pharmacies are gaining ground and now hold about 17 percent of the retail drug market. 41
Consumers without a mail order option through their health plan can order drugs from an Internet mail order-pharmacy that serves the general public. For example:
- At Eckerds.com, 30 Atenolol tablets costs $5.
- At Costco.com 100 Atenolol tablets costs less than $9.
- The cost for 180 at Drugstore.com is only $17.
“Smart Shopping: Buy drugs in larger quantities.”
Larger packages of OTC medications may also be cheaper. At Drugstore.com, 20 Loratadine tablets (generic Claritin) cost $9.99. A 60-count box of the same brand sells for $16.99. At Costco.com, a 180-count box of generic Loratadine sells for $15.99. 42
AARP Pharmacy Services has a discount prescription drug program that provides medications and other health care products through the mail to the 35 million members of AARP. According to the AARP’s chief pharmacy officer, customers can save as much as 47 percent on prescription drugs, with an average of 19 percent off regular retail prices. 43
Although ordering a prescription by mail may not work for occasional-use drugs, many patients taking a medication on a regular basis for a chronic ailment can save by using mail-order pharmacies. This is also true for Medicare patients with a drug discount card (as discussed below).
