Generic Drugs Archives - The NeedyMeds Blog

Tag: Generic Drugs

July 25, 2018

Health Spending Plans

In a survey released in early 2018, only 37% of Americans said they would be able to pay for an unexpected $500-$1000 cost. 63% of respondents said they would need to resort to measures such as cutting back other spending, using a credit card, or borrowing money from friends or family in the event of a costly emergency. We have been writing for years on our position that people should not have to decide between health care or groceries or skipping prescriptions. There are ways to build a health spending plan to ensure you are financially able to pay for medical expenses, no matter when they arise.

There are a number of savings options available that can help make the most of income. Health savings accounts (HSAs) or Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) deposits are often made pre-tax through the employer, and can be spent tax-free on qualified medical expenses. FSAs and HSAs both allow people to save money in tax-advantage accounts, but there are key differences:

FSAs can be used with any type or no insurance; HSAs can only be used/contributed to in conjunction with a high-deductible health plan.

Money in FSAs not

October 18, 2017

Drug Discount Card, Health, Healthcare Reform, Prescription Drugs

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What is a Clawback & How it’s Affecting Your Prescription Copays

Americans may be surprised to learn that they could be paying more for their medications with their insurance copay instead of the cash price available to those without insurance. A study published last week found that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) undermine claims that negotiated “rebates” with pharmaceutical companies are passed on to consumers. This follows a federal lawsuit filed over the summer after a California woman paid a $164 copay on a medication that can be purchased for $92 from the same pharmacy by anyone not using insurance. This practice is known as “clawback” and is instituted by PBMs who then receive the excess payments from the pharmacy.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers are being found to frequently charge a copay that exceeds a medication’s cash price for generic drugs. Moreover, pharmacists around the country are not allowed to disclose the price discrepancy to patients due to “gag clauses” in their contracts that forbid them

December 30, 2015

Affordable Care Act, Drug Discount Card, Health, Healthcare Reform, NeedyMeds, Patient Assistance, Prescription Drugs

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How to Find the Best Prices for Prescriptions

We are almost to 2016, and the high costs of prescriptions are still a huge problem for millions of Americans. Despite laws like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), drug prices continue to vary and rise in ways that are often too much for patients to navigate. A recent poll found that a third of those currently taking a medication experienced a spike in price in the past year. Consumer Reports was able to uncover a lot of information with a national price scan of five common generic drugs. With their findings in mind, there are tips one can follow to get lower prices and better deals on needed medication.

=&0=& Even pharmacies within a few miles of each other can vary widely in price, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. Furthermore, chain drugstores consistently charged the most among the medications and locations polled. Independent and local mom-and-pop pharmacies were found to have bargains on prescriptions, and sometimes are flexible to match or beat competitor prices. =&1=& Many chain stores offer common generics at prices as low as $4-$15 for a 30- to 90- day supply when people pay out of pocket. NeedyMeds has a database of locations and medications available through these discount programs. Sometimes pharmacists will insist you must use your health insurance, even it the price is higher than the cash price or the price with the NeedyMeds drug discount card. They are wrong – you never have to use your health insurance if you can get a better price not using it. =&2=& For drugs you will be taking long term, getting enough medicine to last three months as opposed to one can be cheaper. We mentioned the discount programs available above, and for those using insurance it would equate to only one copay instead of three. =&3=& It may seem awkward or something better used at a car dealership, but Consumer Reports found that pharmacists either have some flexibility when asked or are able to find a coupon or card that can bring down the price, or offer one of the discount programs they may have available for those not using insurance. =&4=& Read more

March 18, 2015

Health, NeedyMeds, Patient Assistance, Prescription Drugs

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Introducing $4 Generic Discount Drug Programs

Earlier this year, we announced a project we would be releasing in 2015. After months of work and research, we are now offering information on discount generic medications. These $4 Generic Discount Drug Programs offer 30- or 90-day supplies of prescribed generic medications for prices as low as $4-$15. With over 120 of these programs nationwide, this is the first time information for them is searchable and available in one place.

Using the new resource, one can search for prices for thousands of generic medications as well as programs in their area or national pharmacies such as Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens along with local and regional pharmacies. “Our goal at NeedyMeds is to provide all the purchasing options so individuals can find the best price for their medicines,” said Dr. Richard Sagall, president and co-founder of NeedyMeds. “This information complements our data on patient assistance programs, coupons, copay assistance programs and rebates.”

Part of NeedyMeds’ mission statement has always been to help people facing problems paying for medications and health care. With the new information available on

August 27, 2014

HEALfundr, NeedyMeds, Patient Assistance, Prescription Drugs

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Introducing GAP: The Generic Assistance Program

NeedyMeds has always been a leading resource for information on patient assistance programs to help cover the costs of brand name drugs. There are hundreds of programs providing free or low-cost brand name medication, but there is yet to be an assistance program to help with the cost of expensive generic drugs. It is a common misconception that generic medications are all inexpensive. The truth is that there are many that cost hundreds of dollars per year, and are essential to the health of many people. With the help of Rx Outreach, the largest non-profit pharmacy in the country, NeedyMeds is launching a first-of-its-kind generic medication assistance program, called GAP (Generic Assistance Program).

The Generic Assistance Program will offer nearly 20 generic medications at no cost to people who meet program eligibility guidelines. The guidelines include:

Must have no prescription coverage for needed medication
At or below 100% Federal Poverty Level
Must be US citizen, legal entrant, or have a work visa

NeedyMeds and Rx Outreach provided the initial funding for the program and have launched a crowdfunding campaign on