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
Pill Splitting
Another method to lower drug costs is to purchase medications in doses double that of the prescribed amount and split them in half. Many tablets are scored across the center to facilitate splitting. This works because many medications sell for about the same price regardless of the dose of medicine in the pill. Take Viagra, for example. If ordered from Costco.com, 12 Viagra tablets cost $110.77, regardless whether the dose is 25mg, 50mg or 100mg. 44 Viagra is an odd-shaped tablet, difficult to split into two perfect halves. 45 To solve this problem, several firms now produce splitters designed just for the diamond-shaped Viagra tablet. Thus, patients will save 50 percent when they buy double dose tablets and split them in half. An important consideration is whether or not a patient is able to accurately cut a tablet. Elderly patients may find pill splitting difficult; however, some pharmacists will split or crush and encapsulate pills. Precision Pill Splitters is a firm that makes pill splitting devices. The splitters have stainless steel blades to create two perfect halves. One model has interchangeable pill beds that exactly fit the shape of specific medications. The company makes a similar device that will quarter a pill as well. 46 Many popular medications may be suitable for splitting or quartering. 47 However, other medications are not good candidates for splitting, including extended release tablets, capsules and medications for many serious disorders.
“Smart Shopping: Split higher-dose pills.”
Some public health advocates question whether splitting can result in halves equal enough in weight to be safe — especially if pill splitting is required by the insurance company’s formulary. 48 Research from the University of Maryland found that pill splitting is a viable option. 49 Researchers at Stanford University found substantial consumer savings from splitting 11 of 265 of commonly prescribed medications. 50 Potential savings range from 23 percent to 50 percent for these drugs. 51 Table II illustrates the potential savings for selected drugs.
