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resources such as goodrx.com.
This service shops the prices for
a prescription between pharma-
cies within a particular zip code
and offers discount coupons. The
information gives the patient some
leverage to ask for price matching
at competing pharmacies within a
community.
n
Pharmacy discount cards are
available through sources such as
togetherrx.com, Rxoutreach.org,
Pparx.org and uspharmacydiscount-
card.com. Needymeds.com also
provides access to discount cards and
patient assistance programs, whereby
patients can obtain free medications
directly from the pharmaceutical
companies.
n
Maximize savings from medications
that are unit priced (i.e., the same
price regardless of dosage). In this
scenario, a 200mg pill is the same
price as a 100mg pill. Therefore,
one could receive a 50% discount
in price by cutting the 200mg in
half instead of taking a 100mg pill.
Always check with your doctor or
pharmacist as to whether it is appro-
priate to do so.
n
Many patients obtain medications
from international pharmacies
offering generics that are not avail-
able in the United States. Beware of
“rogue” pharmacies that may sell you
“fake” or impure medications, inac-
curate dosages or try to steal your
identity. Rogue pharmacies will tip
you off by not requiring a prescrip-
tion to order medications and sell
narcotics across international lines.
Some Canadian pharmacies are
certified by the CIPA (Canadian
International Pharmacy Association)
and PharmacyChecker.com in an
attempt to assure product safety and
authenticity. Look for these certifica-
tions if ordering from Canada.
Prevention
The best way to save on healthcare
costs is to minimize or avoid need-
ing to access medical assistance in the
first place. Prevention has many facets.
Know your genetic risks by develop-
ing a good record of diseases that “run
in your family.” Then, maximize good
physical (diet, exercise, sleep, smoking
cessation, etc.) and spiritual disciplines
to decrease stress levels, build up resil-
ience and decrease the risk of needing a
good deal on healthcare.
✠
Michael R. Lyles,
M.D.,
is an AACC Executive
Board Member and is in
private practice with Lyles &
Crawford Clinical Consulting
in Roswell, Georgia.
