Using generic drugs is good medicine, but make sure you are getting it from the right pharmacy !!
It seems different pharmacies (and even same brand pharmacies in different locations) charge different prescription prices for the same drug including generic drugs. Patients be aware. It makes sense to do some cost comparison even if you have insurance (since the co-pays might be different) or ask your doctor to help. Medscape has a drug pricing guide that provides information about what the drug might cost in your local pharmacies. I could not believe the huge price discrepancies. What a generic rip off !!
Also, patients need to be careful about buying drugs from Online Pharmacies. Unfortunately, many online pharmacies are illegitimate, rogue, or illicit, don’t follow regulations, are not licensed/certified and may supply drugs that do not achieve FDA standards of safety and efficacy. If one decides to use an Online Pharmacy, here are some safeguards: Two websites with reliable lists are the VIPPS program (www.nabp.pharmacy/programs/digital-pharmacy/accredited-facilities) and BuySafeRx (www.safe.pharmacy/buy-safely). Alternatively, patients can check if an online pharmacy is safe by entering its internet address at www.VerifyBeforeYouBuy.org.
Other ways to lower prescription drug cost is to check out reputable websites like GoodRx.com, NeedyMeds.org, RefillWise.com, or SaveOnMyMeds.org. These websites do the legwork to compare local prescription costs. Some of them (NeedyMeds.org and SaveOnMyMeds.org) also connect to manufacturer patient assistance programs. Asking pharmacies for “the cash price” of a drug may yield lower costs than using insurance at times.