The Internet is a valuable source of information if you are having difficulty paying for prescription medications. Several sites outline ways to save money, if you need medication to treat a health condition. Additionally, there are many sites that provide access to companies and organizations that offer free or low-cost medications.
The following sites provide services and information that may help you save money:
Financial Assistance
This site from MedlinePlus is an online service of the National Library of Medicine and provides access to information about obtaining financial assistance for health care, including medications. The site links to organizations that provide help for people with specific conditions, such as AIDS, diabetes, chronic pain, cancer and mental health disorders.
Medicare Rights Center
Aside from the federal government, the Medicare Rights Center is the largest organization in the United States that provides health care information and assistance for people with Medicare. The site has a section about Medicare Part D drug coverage, including information about programs that could help you pay for your prescription costs. A unique feature of the site is the Medicare Interactive Counselor, a tool that walks you through the process of finding cost-saving programs.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
If you are interested in buying medications online to save money, check out the 15 online pharmacies verified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). The NABP screens the quality of services of online pharmacies in 17 areas, such as how they fill prescriptions, how they protect your confidential information and how they communicate with you. You will see the VIPPS seal on the websites of certified companies. The NABP only verifies online pharmacies that are U.S. companies.
PharmacyChecker
If you have decided to buy medication online from a foreign-based company, check out the 30 online pharmacies approved by PharmacyChecker, a for-profit company that “collects, evaluates and reports credentials, prices and customer feedback regarding pharmacies that operate online.” PharmacyChecker provides some assurance that you are dealing with legitimate companies that are properly licensed in their home country.
RxAssist
RxAssist is a medication access information service that operates out of the Brown University Center for Primary Care and Prevention. RxAssist provides access to pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs, including online application forms and "how to" guides. If you think that you are eligible for free or low-cost medications from a pharmaceutical company, this is a good place to start.
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds provides information about pharmaceutical company assistance programs, disease-specific assistance programs, free clinics, discount drug cards, government medication programs and programs for children. The site also has information about resources in each state where people can get help filling out medication-assistance forms.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARx) is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, physician organizations (such as the American Academy of Family Physicians), patient advocacy organizations (such as the American Heart Association) and community groups. PPARx offers access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. You can select a medication, and the site will guide you through an easy-to-follow process to determine which, if any, assistance programs are available for you.
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that helps people pay for medications used to treat cancer. The foundation currently has funds to help people with breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Together Rx Access
Together Rx Access is a drug discount card plan sponsored by 20 U.S. pharmaceutical companies. The card offers discounts of up to 40% on more than 300 brandname prescription medications. Residents of the United States who are not eligible for Medicare, who do not have any type of drug insurance and who make below a certain amount of money may qualify for the discount card.
DestinationRx
DestinationRx provides an easy-to-use tool to compare drug prices. You can select your medication and see how much it costs in comparison to other medications and generic alternatives.
