Your Doctor Can Save You Money on Drugs

Your doctor plays a major role in the cost of drugs by choosing the drugs to be prescribed. For example, if you have an infection due to bacteria, you may be given tetracycline or erythromycin. Tetracycline costs about twenty cents a capsule, whereas erythromycin costs about $9. At the doctor’s option, a steroid prescription for asthma may be prednisone at 14 cents per tablet or methylprednisolone at $1 or more per tablet. Medically, such drug choices are between agents of similar effectiveness. If your doctor prescribes a drug by its trade name, in many states the pharmacist must fill the prescription with that particular brand-name product. The brand-name product frequently costs many times more than its “generic” equivalent. Does your doctor know the relative cost of alternative drugs? Many doctors do not.

The drug-prescribing habits of different doctors can be divided into two groups: the “additive” and the “substitutive.” With each visit to an “additive” doctor, you receive a medication in addition to those you already have. With a “substitutive” doctor, the medication you were previously taking is discontinued and a new medicine is substituted. Usually the “substitutive” practice is advantageous to your health as well as your pocketbook.

Most of the time, medication can be taken by mouth. Sometimes medication is given by injection because of the physician’s uncertainty that you will take the medication as prescribed; by injecting it, there is no question that the medication has been taken. However, as a thoughtful and reliable patient, you can assure your doctor that you will comply with an oral regimen. Taking medication orally is less painful, less likely to result in an allergic reaction, and far less expensive. There are exceptions, but whenever possible you should take medication by mouth rather than by injection.

If it is clear that you must take medication for a prolonged period, ask the doctor to allow refills on the prescription. With many drugs, it is not necessary to incur the expense of an additional doctor visit just to get a prescription written. However, under some circumstances, the doctor may prefer to examine you before deciding whether the drug can safely continued or is still required. Ask your doctor if refills on the prescription are permitted.

The careful doctor will ensure that you fully understand each drug that you are taking, the reasons you are taking it, the side effects that may arise, and the expected length of time that you will taking the medication. A daily medication schedule will be arranged so that it is convenient as well as medically effective. If the program is confusing, ask for written instructions. It is crucial that you understand the why and how of your drug therapy. Do not leave the doctor’s office for the pharmacy without understanding your medication.