Medicine prices vary widely because of the number of factors that go into each prescription. You may decide to try a less expensive or generic version, but you have to consider a wide variety of factors when making that decision, including:
The type of medicine you are taking—You may have to pay more for a generic version than you would for an original medicine. Not all generics are equal, however. Taking a brand name generic instead of an original medicine can save you as much as 75 percent on your prescription drug costs. For example, the price difference between the original cholesterol-lowering medicine Lipitor and its generic equivalent is about 25 to 50 percent.
The cost of your prescription and any co-pay or deductible you might have—If your insurance plan doesn’t cover the total cost of a more expensive drug, you will need to pay full price for it. You may have to pay a co-pay for the medicine, which is extra money that you pay each time you fill a prescription.
Your health needs—If your physician recommends a medicine for your condition and you decide not to use it, it will cost you more than if you had used the drug or another medication.
How many refills you can get—You may be able to get a 90-day supply of medication at once or only when it is almost out of your system. That kind of flexibility can make a difference in the price you pay for a prescription.
Your health status—If your health is unstable, your doctor might suggest another type of medicine that you are less likely to develop serious side effects from. For example, a blood thinner such as Plavix taken by people with unstable angina can cause side effects such as internal bleeding if they stop taking it suddenly.
The extent of your medical visits—Medicines that require more frequent doses, such as inhalers for asthma, are more expensive than those that only need to be taken once a month.
How much you use the medication—When you are taking a controlled substance for an addiction or mental illness, your doctor may prescribe it as little as possible to control symptoms. You won’t be able to fill a prescription for refills until the one you have runs out.
How long you take the medicine—Some medicines continue to work longer than others. Most blood pressure pills, for example, continue to work for 24 hours after they have been taken.