Americans spend huge amounts of money on prescription drugs – average costs are about $1,200 per person per year! They spend close to $40 billion a year dealing with the common cold! And these costs are growing every year. Is it possible to somehow reduce these expenses?
Here’s How to Save Money on Medication Costs
Way 1. Compare prices
Compare prices in different pharmacies before buying medication. Prices for the same drug may differ very significantly. For example, Zithromax costs $30 in one pharmacy and $20 in another. Viagra costs $60 in one pharmacy and $30 in another. These are cheap drugs. When it comes to expensive ones, the difference in price is measured in hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Of course, for this, you can visit several local pharmacies. And it is simpler, faster and more convenient to compare the cost on the websites of online pharmacies or through search engines. There are also pharmacies like My Canadian Pharmacy official site that always offer the lowest prices for all medications and you do not even have to make any comparison.
Way 2. Use promotions
Large pharmacies regularly hold promotions and arrange sales of certain goods. This is done not at all to sell low-quality or expiring drugs, but to attract many customers. So you can buy vitamins, cold medicines or for example birth control pills for future use.
Way 3. Shop “after hours”
Following grocery stores, pharmacies began to offer discounts on purchases at a time when there were fewer customers. This is usually a workday morning. You can save up to 10% this way. The detailed information about “after hours” discounts can be found on the company’s website.
Way 4. Buy cheaper analogs
According to statistics, the overwhelming majority of Americans prefer to buy generics – cheap analogues of brand-name drugs. And for good reason! After all, generics have the active substances used. We advise you to ask doctors or pharmacists about cheaper analogs. If you can purchase the same effective medicine for less money, why overpay?
Way 5. Buy drugs abroad
Of course, we do not mean that you should go abroad to get medicines. But if you happen to be abroad, be sure to look into the pharmacy and buy something that makes sense to get for future use (hygiene products, cosmetics, vitamins, dietary supplements, anti-cold remedies, etc.). Or you can place an order at an international online pharmacy and get your medicine in about a week. The thing is that many Canadian pharmacies specialize in the sale of cheaper generic medications and have a wider range of products.
Way 6. Freebie
Never give up on promotional items. Most often, these can be female hygiene products, goods for children. And by all means, get your free flu shot. Keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.
Way 7. Loyalty cards
This method is more suitable for those who have to buy medications regularly or have a large family. Find the drugstore network that offers the lowest prices most often. After that, get a buyer’s loyalty card from them and buy all medicines only in this network.
Way 8. Bonuses
They can be obtained not only at the pharmacy but also at banks that issue credit cards. Almost all large banks have such programs, in which many pharmacy chains participate. Using bonuses, sometimes you can even get your medication for free.
Way 9. Cashback
Some banks offer cashback (refund) up to 5% when paying for purchases in pharmacies. Check if your credit card has such a program.
Way 10. Healthy lifestyle
The most commonplace but also the most effective way to save on drugs – lead a healthy lifestyle: strengthen your immune system, play sports, walk regularly, eat properly, give up bad habits, avoid stress. And you can save on vitamins, nasal drops, cold medication, and high-pressure pills. This method is as old as time, but it works!
NTEC is a member of the