Americans Struggle with Prescription Drug Costs Despite Savings Options

Washington, D.C. — More than 60% of American adults take at least one prescription drug, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kaiser Family Foundation. However, nearly half of those adults are concerned about affording their family’s medications. This raises questions about how to manage prescription drug costs effectively.

Kevin Brasler, executive editor of a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, advises that sometimes paying cash for medications can be cheaper than using an insurance co-pay. “Often you can pay cash for your drugs and it’s cheaper than using your co-pay for your insurance plan,” said Brasler.

Online marketplaces such as GoodRx and SingleCare are helping people find prescription discounts. These platforms allow users to compare prices at local pharmacies and access coupons that can significantly reduce the cost of their medications. For example, in a recent review of atorvastatin, NBC 5 found that prices for the generic version of Lipitor ranged from $2 to just under $20, depending on the pharmacy.

To utilize these discounts, patients must present a valid prescription and the coupon from the website when they pay at the pharmacy. Although these services require sharing personal information, companies claim that they do not sell this data to third parties. GoodRx, for instance, states it stores user data to offer targeted discounts but will delete information upon request.

If patients are prescribed expensive medications, Brasler recommends contacting the drug manufacturer for potential co-pay assistance programs. Health insurance providers may also provide support to help alleviate some of these costs.