Arguably as threatening to the American public as rising gasoline prices, are the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. American seniors and those without insurance have to pay through the nose for medicines that are often imperative for their well-being.

The Price of Prescription Drugs Keeps Rising

Industry experts claim that in 2004 prices of prescription medication specifically targeted towards seniors rose exponentially higher than the economy’s inflation for the year. Lipitor, Plavix, Fosamax, Norvasc, and Celebrex were the top five brand-name drugs that doctors prescribed to seniors. Why is the increase in drug prices a problem? For many of America’s seniors, daily life depends on a fixed income compised of retirement benefits and Social Security payments. Many seniors simply trying to keep such health issues as high cholesterol and sugar levels in check, are consistently finding the high price of prescription drugs financially taxing.

Seniors are not the only ones dealing with high drug costs, either. Many Americans who do not have insurance or prescription card plans are dealing with ridiculous rates on medications that they need to live normal, healthy lives. This phenomenon is leading to economic issues like drug reimportation, in which drugs are made in the U.S., sold to Canada and then resold to Americans. Apparently this process of reimportation makes drugs cheaper for Americans upon resale. The problem with this practice is the lack of quality assurance that comes bundled with the extra middleman and transportation outside U.S. boundaries. Many experts warn of the possibility for drug contamination in reimportation markets.

How to Avoid Paying Ridiculous Amounts

There are several ways to cut your cost of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. First, if you do not have health insurance, get it. You don’t realize how much you need health insurance until something happens. Also, if you use prescription drugs on a regular basis, such as birth control or other medications, you will find that co-pays will save you in the long run. Secondly, see if there is a generic version of the drug that contains the same active ingredients.

When it comes to over-the-counter medicines such as common pain relievers, try using store brand versions of ibuprofen, acetometaphine, or naproxen sodium. These will save you dollars each time you choose them over the brand name version and they work just as well.

contact@bigpharmadeals.com