Dear Nursing Colleagues
Attached is a link to a short video on the first foundational steps towards improving NCLEX scores.  Let me know your thoughts?

NCLEX Success - Step 1 Faculty


Dr. Bob

Speaking up, being patient and using simple math can be the best medicine for your wallet.

Prescription medications are one of the most expensive and reoccurring costs you’ll face. The burden of high costs of drugs falls mostly on those who are the sickest.  The New York Times The Price They Pay is revealing on the cost of drugs for those who need them the most.  Fortunately, many of them have generic counterparts that are available and less expensive. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that generic drugs be as safe and effective as their brand-name counterpart. More than half of all prescriptions are for generic drugs. When your provider writes a prescription, ask for the generic substitute. If the provider gives you a sample drug, also ask for a generic medicine so you can use it for a refill if needed.

You also can call different pharmacies to find out their price for your prescribed medicine. In most cases, the costs will be similar. In others, you’ll be thanking yourself for making an effort.

If you have prescription coverage that includes a co-pay, it may be cheaper to pay the generic price of $10 of the medication versus the co-pay depending on your co-pay amount. For example, the co-pay on a prescription plan for a 90-day supply could run from $27 to $75. In this case, it is more cost effective to pay the $10. The big retails stores such as Walmart offer many of the generic medications at low prices. 

Individuals on Medicare should shop for plans that include the medication which they are taking.  Many of the MedicareAdvantage Plans offer prescription covered. Before selecting a new plan check to learn if your drugs are covered.   The saving can be extensive. 

In some cases, non-profits and some state assistance programs, as well as pharmaceutical companies, offer special assistance programs. Many of these programs offer free or low-cost access to medications.  You may even want to call the pharmaceutical company directly to ask if they have free or a discounted drug program. One website that might be useful is the Patient Assistance Program Center.

Mail order also may be another option when the medicine is not needed immediately. Mail order usually is substantially cheaper, and a 90-day supply is a usual order.

In some cases, over-the-counter drugs may be substituted for some prescribed medications. For instance, Claritin (Loratadine) can be purchased over the counter while its counterpart requires a prescription from a health care provider. The savings between the two can be substantial while the results are similar. Do yourself a favor and check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Most of the time, the cost of medication does not depend on the dose. For example, a 100 mg Viagra tablet could cost the same as a 50 mg. Ask your provider or the pharmacist if the medication can be split. You may also find relative information on the Internet or through Consumer Reports about splitting drugs. If yes, you can save some money by getting a double dose of your prescription.

Using Pravastatin as an example, if your provider approves and your daily dose is 20 mg you can cut the 40 mg tablet in half and get a 180-day supply for $10. This is a substantial cost saving.

Those with numerous chronic illnesses may be in a situation where different providers prescribe a variety of medications. Ask your primary provider to review the medications and together you can determine which are needed. This could result in cost savings as well as the benefits to your health.

The pharmaceutical industry spends millions of dollars marketing directly to consumers. We are bombarded daily with television and print ads that promote numerous medications. The industry has found that their campaigns can direct patients to their specific product when other less costly options might be available.

Be careful about being persuaded that a heavily marketed medication is appropriate for you. A substitute drug for a 10th of the cost may be just as beneficial.

So be aware and speak up when it comes to your health. You’ll save money and not sacrifice quality medications.