DISCLAIMER: We are not doctors and nothing written in this blog should be taken as medical advice. It is meant to complement, not replace, the relationship with your doctor. Please check all information with your doctor, pharmacist, insurance company, and mental health treatment team. We cannot attest to the veracity of everything in this post.
Please note: This post has been written by both my friend JC and myself. He also deserves credit for the research entailed in this post.
Psychiatric medications, like most medications, are not cheap. Oftentimes, the high price is due to the fact that the medication is still patented, and so there is no generic alternative. The federal government has repeatedly introduced programs for pharmaceutical companies to extend their patents, and it appears that many medications may be delayed in becoming generic. However, there are some ways to cut down on costs, rather than forgo your medications altogether.
Always Check to See if There is a Generic – Just Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist
By federal law, generics are required to be just as effective as name-brand medications. Always ask the person prescribing your medication if it’s generic, and if not, if there is an alternative with a generic version. If you are having financial difficulties, you can tell your doctor this and ask if there’s a generic medication that can be substituted for the name brand one. To fully know your options, do your research at home. Your doctor may not know all the generics that exist and may not readily think of substitutes, especially in cases where a generic has only recently become available. It would probably be best to print out any relevant information you find to show it to your doctor directly.
One thing to be careful of is if the dosing is different for the same medication based on if it is name-brand or generic. For example, the name-brand medication might come in 88mg and 100mg but the generic only comes in 100mg. For this, you might have to split the pills or have the amount be slightly off. Always check with your doctor first.
Another issue with generics (and even within the same name-brand medication) is that sometimes there are several different release formulas for the same medication. For example, you may have been prescribed “extended release” or “sustained release” and the generic does not have this version. You will have to consult with your doctor to see what you should do about this.
To get discount generics, try chain pharmacies. Many such as Target, Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and others offer $4/month generics or a similar deal. Just ask to see the price list and what medications are discounted. Also keep in mind that some programs require an annual fee, while others (which are better deals) offer this without a fee. You will be paying for the medications out of pocket and DO NOT need health insurance to access this discount. For any medications that you can’t afford to get filled, make sure you hold onto your scripts while you shop around.
Discount Programs and Coupons
Asking for Medication Samples From Your Doctor
Some doctors have medication samples that they are able to give out to their patients. They were likely given to them by drug company marketing representatives. Only ask for medications that your doctor has talked about prescribing to you. We don’t know how effective this tactic might be, as your doctor may say no or might not have any samples to give out, but theoretically, it shouldn’t hurt to ask.
Pharmaceutical Company Discounts
Most drug companies, in an effort to improve their public image and remain competitive, have programs in which they give out their medication for free or at a discount rate. Another reason they’re doing this is because they want to discourage people from switching to a competitor’s medication due to economic factors.
Of course, drug companies are businesses. They exist to support their bottom line (and often their shareholders), to keep costs down, and increase profits. The most successful way to do this is to create effective medications that help people who take them, but there have been cases where medications have been hyped beyond their effectiveness. Remember to ask critical questions of your doctor, and make sure you’re comfortable with whatever medications they suggest.
Don’t be surprised if the task for applying for these programs is arduous requiring lots of paperwork, visits to doctors, and long waiting periods. While it may be worth a try, please don’t rely on this as your back-up option.
The best system for searching for these discount programs is the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which is sponsored by the major pharmaceutical companies. You simply enter the medications you are taking, and it returns a list of programs that are available.
If anyone as any additional suggestions or experiences to share, please let me know!
Enlightening the Darkness 