If you’re feeling pinched by the high cost of your prescription medications, this advice can help.
Despite consumer complaints and government hearings, skyrocketing prescription drug prices show no sign of slowing down. According to an AARP policy report released last spring, the rate of general inflation was 2.3% during the 12-month period of September 2003 to September 2004. But during that same year, drug companies’ prices for the 197 brand-name prescription drugs most commonly used by older Americans increased by 7.4%, on average. Fortunately, resources for prescription drugs exist for the financially pressed.
Prescription drug information from AARP. AARP is leading a major campaign against rising prescription drug costs. For information on all aspects of the initiative and frequent updates, go to www.aarp.org/bulletin and click on “prescription drugs” in the upper left-hand navigation bar, or call 888-687-2277.
Prescription drug information from EyeCare America. EyeCare America, the public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes a pharmaceutical directory that lists free or discount ophthalmic drugs available from major drug companies. Drugs on the list include such mainstays of glaucoma treatment as brimonidine (Alphagan P), bimatoprost (Lumigan), timolol (Timoptic), and latanoprost (Xalatan). For more information, go to www.eyecareamerica.org and click on “medication assistance,” or call 800-222-3937.
Prescription drug information from drug companies. Nineteen drug companies joined together to form Together Rx, offering prescription drug discounts to Medicare enrollees who lack coverage and have incomes below $30,000 ($40,000 for a family of two). One caveat: Some of the participating companies may no longer honor the Together Rx program now that the federal Medicare prescription drug program is up and running. For more information, call 800-444-4106 or go to www.togetherrx.com. Three drug companies—Eli Lilly, Merck, and Pfizer—have their own separate programs: • Eli Lilly: go to www.lillymedicareanswers.com. •Merck: call 800-506-3725 or go to www.merckhelps.com. • Pfizer: call 866-776-3700 or go to www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com and click on “find assistance program.”
Prescription drug information from NeedyMeds. This resource provides a clearinghouse of information on state and local prescription drug assistance programs as well as the drug companies’ discount prescription programs. Go to www.needymeds.com.
Talk to your doctor about your prescription drug concerns
It’s critical that you follow your medication regimen as prescribed. But eye doctors are well aware that prescription drug cost can be a significant barrier to compliance. A recent review confirmed that noncompliance was common in glaucoma care, with up to 80% of glaucoma patients in some studies reporting that they deviate from their prescription drug regimen.
If this is the case for you, it’s time to discuss your concerns with your doctor. For one thing, your doctor may have suggestions about which pharmacies in your area offer better prices. He or she may also have ideas about treatment alternatives, particularly surgery. Under Medicare and Medicaid coverage, for instance, copayment costs may be more generous for surgery than they are for medication. With glaucoma, in particular, that can make a significant difference, given that a year’s worth of medication can run $3,000 or more, while a surgical procedure may be $1,000.
